First Impressions of Earth [PA] * [ECD] by Strokes (The) (CD, Jan-2006, RCA Records USA)

I've been a huge fan of the Strokes for a few years now. I really enjoyed the raw garage rock reminiscent of the 70s brought out by Is This It and also was a fan of the slightly differently oriented and more refined Room on Fire. When this album was coming out I was excited to see what changes Casablancas and the band were going to bring. This new album using Room on Fire as a stepping stone is highly refined and similar to both past albums is very catchy. I'd recommend giving the whole cd a listen once and then giving an opinion as the riffs and lyrics are very interesting. Many songs on this album stick out and will be stuck in your head. I recommend listening to Ize of the World, Red Light, Heart in a Cage, and You Only Live Once.

In a world where modern rock has evolved to a point where many artists/groups share the same manufactured, commercialized, monotone qualities, it is quite refreshing to hear music from a soloist or band that has a unique, fresh sound. And because of this very reason, The Strokes have earned a spot as being one of my favorite bands over the past few years since releasing their full-length debut album, “Is This It.” This was a phenomenal record, and was quickly followed up by “Room On Fire,” another superb CD that had only one drawback: it sounded almost too much like “Is This It” at a few points. So, with The Strokes’ third studio release being one of the only major releases for this month, I was eagerly anticipating its arrival. But as it turns out, “First Impressions of Earth” turns out to be a very ironic (and mostly dull) album.
How is “First Impressions of Earth” ironic? Well, it seems as though The Strokes’ lack of wanting to experiment or try anything new is a major factor, for they have developed a very signature sound and seem to want to milk it for all that it may be worth. The irony here is that The Strokes are trying much too hard to sound like themselves, and this is where they shoot themselves in the feet and ultimately lose fans. I’ll explain.
When listening, it honestly does get to the point where the audience cannot tell one song from the next. The listener wishes and hopes with all of his or her hearth that maybe the album would wrap up after around track nine or ten. This is quite sad too, as the first four songs on the CD are spectacular, easily some of the best The Strokes have preformed to date. “Juicebox,” the hit single, (although sounding nothing like anything else on the album) is easily one of the most memorable songs on the CD, as it charges forward with a thumping baseline. “You Only Live Once,” “Heart in a Cage,” and “Razorblade” (tracks one, three, and four, respectfully) are all of true Stroke-quality, as the hooks are dangerously sharp and the beats are foot-tappable and head-shakeable. But what about tracks five through fourteen? Sorry, except for track twelve (which is pretty catchy and awesome), there is just absolutely nothing that is interesting here, and the only task that these lousy tunes accomplish is putting the poor listener to sleep.
“Is This It” and “Room On Fire” both clocked in at around less than 35 minutes each; a perfect length for a rock and roll album. But “First Impressions of Earth” clocks in at an aching 52 minutes; now I strongly believe that cutting out maybe four or five songs would help this album immensely. In fact during one certain track, “Ask Me Anything,” lead vocalist Julian Casablancas repeats “I’ve got nothing to say…” again and again over a repetitive, lousy, snooze-inducing Mellotron progression. Yes, it is obvious you have nothing to say, so for the love of God please shut up.
It is quite heartbreaking to see an album released in the abysmal state that “First Impressions of Earth” has been released in. It’s a very bipolar, ** CD; the good stuff on here is amazing and the bad stuff on here is terrible. Maybe, just maybe, there is enough good for Strokes’ fans to buy another album in the future. I know that I will be hesitant.

I was not a fan of their overhyped debut album, but the next two albums are much better. The singles on this album are excellent and, though the album would be better with a few of the weaker songs removed, I'm not going to complain about having more songs. Definitely worth buying especially if you combine the best songs of the last two albums. They already have enough great songs for a best of album.