COMEDOWN MACHINE
The Strokes (Sony)
Considering Julian Casablancas and friends pretty much invited the world into their too-cool-for-school indie house party a decade and a half ago, for the past three albums they’ve been giving a damned good impression of a band who didn’t really want to enjoy the resulting glorious chaos.
And even here in their fifth outing, there’s a feeling of a band happy to be on the guest-list (as they would have it in the incredibly catchy Partners in Crime) rather than hosting the VIP suite.
That said, this isn’t painting by numbers and there’s some wonderfully poppy synth moments to raise the odd eyebrow and give the impression that, behind the steely-stoned slacker’s gaze, there may be a wry smile of enjoyment.
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