Review: The Strokes triumph on their 1st album in 7 years

The Strokes, 'œThe New Abnormal'ť (RCA/Cult)

On their first album in seven years, The Strokes seem to have known they'd be returning at a crazy time. 'œWe are trying hard to get your attention,'ť singer Julian Casablancas sings on the first song, 'œThe Adults Are Talking.'ť

Nine songs later, the band has definitely gotten our attention. Mission accomplished, gentlemen.

'œThe New Abnormal'ť is a superb slice of indie rock, varied, exciting and complex, with elements of glam, straight-down-the-line rock and dreamy pop. Produced this time by Rick Rubin, the album comes 19 years after the band's seminal debut 'œIs This It'ť and is, in many ways, a fulfillment of that early potential. It's dynamite stuff.

'œBrooklyn Bridge to Chorus'ť is upbeat and poppy in a way only The Strokes can do - riding on the swells of '~80s New Wave (even asking of '80s bands, 'œwhere did they go?'ť) but also commenting on the song structure. 'œCan we switch into the chorus right now?'ť And they do.

Speaking of the '80s, 'œBad Decisions'ť repurposes Billy Idol's 'œDancing with Myself'ť - he even gets a credit - and warped slices of synth propel 'œWhy Are Sundays So Depressing.'ť Casablancas channels Frank Sinatra in 'œNot the Same Anymore'ť and leans on his upper register on the shimmering, Psychedelic Furs-ish 'œEternal Summer.'ť

Lyrically, the album explores unease, inaction and alienation. 'œI want new friends, but they don't want me/They're making plans while I watch TV'ť is the chorus to one song. On 'œAt the Door,'ť Casablancas knows he is a lost soul, but offers hope: 'œUse me like an oar/Get yourself to shore.'ť

'œEternal Summer'ť hits especially close to home these days. Sinister forces are at play. Casablancas says we're at the 11th hour and asks, 'œEverybody's on the take/Tell me are you on the take, too?'ť Then comes the killer line for anyone facing a virus pandemic: 'œThey got the remedy, but they won't let it happen.'ť

The last song - 'œOde to the Mets'ť - is weighty, both ponderous and soaring, shapeshifting through various styles - a band looking back uneasily. 'œGone now are the old times/Forgotten, time to hold on the railing.'ť

If we're all going down with the ship, let this be the soundtrack.

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Mark Kennedy is at http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits