from billboard.com

Aside from deciding on names for a handful of tracks and tweaking the final mix, the Strokes have nearly completed their highly anticipated sophomore RCA album. The as-yet-untitled, 11-track set is due in mid-October. It's the follow-up to 2001's "Is This It," which peaked at No. 33 on The Billboard 200 and has sold 894,000 copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan.

The new set was produced by Gordon Raphael, who was also behind the boards for "Is This It." As first reported here in May, the Strokes spent about 10 days in the studio with producer Nigel Godrich (Radiohead, Beck), but amicably parted company without capturing any finished songs. "They're still very, very fond of each other," RCA senior VP of A&R Steve Ralbovsky tells Billboard.com. "But [the Strokes] seem to be better doing it their own way with their own team."

On the basis of five tracks previewed for Billboard.com, the upcoming album expands on the New York quintet's upbeat, retro-leaning rock with enough new twists to keep things interesting. "You hear some different flavors that are a bit outside the palette, but there's a vintage Strokes feel and sound," Ralbovsky offers.

In particular, tracks like the hand-clapping "Supernova" (a "first single contender," according to Ralbovsky) and "I Can't Win" feature more of a new wave-vibe than "Is This It," thanks to bright guitar lines that replicate frontman Julian Casablancas' vocal melodies.

An extremely catchy song with the working title "The End Has No End" is bookended with a gnarly rock riff and powered by a pounding chorus that repeats the title phrase. The Strokes' soulful side is spotlighted on "Under Control," a slower number with a subtle chorus: "I don't want to change your mind / I don't want to waste your time."

The strummy, fast "I Can't Win" hearkens back to the first album's "Someday," marked by a pitch-bending guitar solo and a single-chord burst at its conclusion. "Meet Me in the Bathroom" flexes impressive rock muscle with Casblancas' emphatic chorus and an unconventional song structure with several short transitional parts.

Other cuts set to appear on the album include "The Way It Is," "You Talk Way Too Much," "Never Needed Anybody" and "Raga." Ralbovsky says retail singles will probably not feature studio B-sides in favor of home demos or live cuts.

The Strokes will likely begin a North American tour concurrent with the release of the new album, followed by a trip to Europe in late fall.

I am looking forward to this. Their first album was one of the best debuts in recent years. Thanks for the info, Tron.

Overrated. Why were they the ones picked out of this genre to be popular by the media. They are half assed compared to International Noise Conspiracy or Supergrass.

chemmie said:

why? i'm sure it has nothing to do with julian's family connection...
either his father or uncle (can't remember which) is the founder of casablanca models and elite models. they had an ep out a while before their first lp and it was far better. they are a fun live band and their music is good but i can't see any reason behind the media push other than the family hookup.

I can't wait for this album.

Now I have to check out these other 2 bands.

Overrated, yes, but still damn good. Better than Supergrass any day

chemmie said:

It's all a matter of opinion. I personally like them.Thanks Tron for the info.A band who I truly adore called The Shins whose album came out the same time but went nowhere.They should have been huge, IMO.
[This message was edited Wed Aug 6 10:18:00 PDT 2003 by PhilG]

I'm glad Nigel Godrich isn't working with The Strokes - they're certainly not ready to serve up their "OK Computer" or "Sea Change" yet (if ever), and should get the hipster chic party music thing out of their system before they go trying to make anything more profound.

From NME.com:

VERY DIFFERENT STROKES!


THE STROKES have revealed details about their eagerly awaited new album - describing it as 'more mellow' but with elements of MICHAEL JACKSON's 'BILLIE JEAN'.

Out of the 11 tracks set to make the final cut, working titles include 'Under Control', 'Nightmare', 'Supernova', 'Raga', 'Ze Newie', and 'Meet Me In The Bathroom'.

Drummer Fabrizio Moretti said: "We spent a lot of time looking for specific sounds."

Speaking about 'Nightmare', guitarist Albert Hammond Jr added: "That's probably one of my favourite drum sounds right there... It's kind of 'Billie Jean'-ish. We spent all this time to make it sound like a drum machine, but Fab still plays it."

According to singer Julian Casablancas, Nick Valensi "blew up two guitar amps getting that sound" for the solo in 'Supernova'.

The band's "first more mellow song", 'Under Control', was recorded live - annoying neighbours: "The neighbours on the seventh floor complained about the noise," said Hammond Jr. "It was four in the morning, and we had to pull the plug. And that was the take where we felt like we had it. But it was all right because we came in the next day and got it."

The Strokes also spoke about the aborted sessions with Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich. Hammond Jr insisted: "We got along really, really well".

He told Rolling Stone: "But we just had different ways of working. We'll spend days getting the right drum sound. We don't want to hear 'We'll fix it in the mix'".

As previously reported on NME.COM, The Strokes performed three new songs at Japan's Summer Sonic Festival in Osaka and Tokyo over the weekend (August 2-3). It was the band's first live show since winter 2002.

The new album is due for release on October 20.

SpcMs said: