I have rarely looked forward to Gabe Videogum’s SNL recap with more anticipation than this week’s because what the hell was that last night? I mean aside from having a script that with sketches both pitched and punched up by Miley Cyrus’s publicist, it is very cool how SNL gave Miley a chance to show what a great sense of humor she has about herself, by comparing herself to literally every other dragged-through-the-mud piece of celebrity garbage and calling her herself an angel in comparison? It’s not the first time someone’s hosted in order for some image rehab, but it was the grossest. Miley’s opening song-ologue was so audience-crushingly tone deaf that whatever musical act was set to follow would be a relief. And hey, it was the Strokes! Who as it turned out could in fact have used that help a bit, insisting on their traditionally weird-television-mix and rebellious ennui thing that was so charming back in 2001 and now plays a bit like a bunch of millionaires legitimately bored with each other (probably because of how we know they are legitimately bored with each other). As far as SNLs go it was their third time, and not so much charm. Watch “Under Cover Of Darkness” for Julian’s flub and reflexive “fuck it!” on live TV, a moment of canned danger that might have been the most notable part of the telecast, and then scroll to the second embed for Angles’ “Life Is Simple In The Moonlight,” which you’ve only heard 30 seconds of before.
(via AudioPerv)
Angles is out 3/22 via RCA. Don’t forget “You’re So Right,” and SXSW, and MSG.
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Is it just me or are TV show performances sounding way better than they did a few months ago? I mean, as far as a the mix goes, at least. Like, Bright Eyes on Letterman? Couldn’t believe that was live. And this sounds almost as good. It’s kind of weird.
Well this is the first live performance I’ve seen on SNL in a awhile and I said the same thing immediately. Normally SNL performances suck (sound wise). I won’t credit NBC production for that (at least not yet), but I will probably give shout outs to The Strokes people for this.
Same here, the sound in these videos blew my mind, incredibly good for live television.
I’m a little surprised by this review. I thought they were pretty good. I really liked “Life is Simple…”. I don’t mind a flubbed note here and there.
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semi-obsession with the strokes, they haven’t given up on who they are. these performances were great, they sounded amazing!
“calling her herself an angel in comparison.” Well, to be fair, she kind of IS.
And I agree, they all look terribly bored–at least for the majority of “Under Cover of Darkness.” But when Julian blurted out “Fuck it!” it seems like that sorta woke them up.
I enjoyed their performance of “Life is Simple in The Moonlight” more, though I’m not sure whether they were more into it, or it’s just that their lethargy was better-suited to a more downtempo number.
I’m really liking the sound of “Life Is Simple In…” and great performances both times.
Stereogum, are you shitting me? Go fuck yourselfs you half-assed Pitchfork cunts!
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It’s easy to trash these guys, but I really do like “Under Cover…” I find myself head bopping everytime I hear it, and the tandem s thing really works. That being said they Do look “manufacturedly” bored and the f-bomb was REALLY lame. I don’t know, I wanna see them do well I guess.
a great performance!
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Uh, the Strokes formed in 1998. They didn’t just ‘show up’ on the scene already signed. They did a lot for the so-called scene (where bands didn’t hang out and/or really support each other). Y’know, Albert promoting the YYYs, and The Strokes taking other little-known bands from NYC on tour. There was a lot of bitterness and jealousy. Hmmm, I suspect Jack and Meg know exactly what that felt like.
I like the strokes, have since day one…despite the reality that they were “manufactured.” The truth is- through various connections they had as privilaged kids with celeb parents (at least for Julian and Albert), they had representation, a label, and boatloads of hype and marketing dollars hitting the streets before they played a single public gig.
Yes, sometimes the stage demeanor can get too non chalant but they’ve played some of the most energetic anf fun shows I’ve been to…and I’ve been to tons. Check out Bonk’s youtube link below and tell me that didn’t hit you.
Take it or leave it, dude…
So are you saying Julian’s or Al’s dad called Geoff Travis from Rough Trade and brokered a record deal, not Ryan Gentles, and that they didn’t flyer the shit out of NYC on their own before every single show, and that they didn’t play any gigs as unknowns? What is this, 2001 all over again? Come on, the whole “their dads bought their instruments and paid people to write their songs and got them signed” spiel is so dated it’s laughable. So what if they grew up with some money? Nikolai didn’t, btw. His dad was a security guard at Macy’s. The Strokes made a lot of shitty music before they finally hit on what worked for them. it’s annoying that 10 years on people are STILL parroting the same misinformed garbage about so-called parental negotiations with record companies, and tangling it all up with their upbringing(s). Bah!
It’s so weird to me when people complain about good bands being like robots on stage or looking bored…what do you want? Blink 182 hopping around? And to criticize the for rarely improvising is such a weird, misguided criticism. It’s fine that you don’t like a band, but don’t impose your weird jam-band standards on everyone.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csD4ZgMPgvg
Yeah dude. Booooring.
if you were an artist, you wouldn’t give a fuck about the masses. but everyone is entitled to their opinion, i guess..
The Strokes: good sound, likeable tunes, talented guys. Could do with a bit more of a stage presence as the singer appears a bit boring. Sunglasses on, sunglasses off? The old black leather jacket look is so done.
they’ve always looked ‘bored’ live. no shock there. that being said, i’ve seen them live 3 times (2002, 2006, lolla 2010) and they always play incredibly tight. thats the most important thing to me.
Can’t wait to see them in GA at MSG. Hey scalpers, you may have been able to fuck me over for LCD Soundsystem but you couldn’t for The Strokes!
Julian sounded like he wasn’t feeling so well for UCoD but the second time out he sounded fine. And I laughed when he said ‘fuck it’. Come on, it’s funny! It was funny when Cherie Oteri or whatever her name is did it too. I wonder if they made him put a dollar in the swear jar too?
I love The Strokes. They could shit on a cd and i would buy it and think it is the greatest album of all time at this point.
Is this The Strokes take over week in Stereogum?
Oh, wait! There’s a post with Radiohead in the title under most commented. False alarm.
uhh?
innovative and dynamic. exactly what makes music great.
inverse snobbery in any form is an unpleasant character trait.
haters always gonna hate on the strokes. well, hate away losers, its all you’ve got, since the band are back and they’re still better than you (and almost everyone else too).
sweet.
I don’t hate the Strokes. I even like “Under Cover of Darkness”, but theres no denying Julian didn’t do that song any justice. Plus I talked to a friend today who told me “I’ve never heard of the Strokes but after SNL last night I’m really not interested in them”
i’ve no problem with your friend being uninterested. i’ve no issue with anyone who isn’t a fan of the band because of the music. my issues lie with those, and there are many, who hate on the Strokes for every reason other than the music.
as for Julian not doing that song justice; music tastes are subjective. i think he did. for me, his performance humanized it.
if you have a friend who has never heard of the fucking strokes chances are they havent really heard of anything.
Seriously, love them or hate them, but not know them? The mind boggles.
lol
Casablancas with the leather jacket and glasses says Joey Ramone all over it.
AMAZING PERFORMANCE. So much love for these guys… ANGLES on 3/22 is going to be AMAZING. In the meantime, I keep checking back on their site… lots of exciting things going on between now and the 22nd! http://new.thestrokes.com/uncategorized/under-cover-of-darkness-7
Really? These weren’t good performances? This blog is bizzarro world sometimes.
Ya, I thought it was awesome. I don’t know what more to expect from a band when you watch them perform on a TV or computer. I do really like the Strokes though.
1) That write-up was barely discernible.
2) I think it was saying that SNL was bad. Which is weird because I thought several parts were very funny (Black Eyed Peas sketch, Weekend Update, etc)
3) “insisting on their weird-television-mix”? Not-sure-what-you-are-implying…
4) These were solid performances. Sounded great to me. Really looking forward to this album.
Someone having a bad day?
Agree. Such a write-up seems to be norm on here lately.
I’m a Videogum commenter, but I just think it’s funny how weird all you commenters are on Stereogum. You guys are either fanboys or haters, and it seems like no-one is really doing anything but saying things for the sake of saying things.
I mean almost every other comment is downvoted, and for good reason. That is sad. I wish you guys could have a cool community like VGum has, but I guess that’s impossible when people spam the comment section.
I agree with you. I’ve been reading both videogum and stereogum for years. I never really comment, but videogum’s sense of community is freaking ridiculous. I’ve never seen so many inside jokes on a website before. It’s pretty great.
Stereogum used to be the place, though…back in the days where it was really more of a “blog” format. I really can’t explain why this site doesn’t draw me in as much as it used to, but it seems a lot of people kind of moved on to greener pastures.
It’s a shame, because I love having a place to come talk about music (my friends’ music tastes don’t really align with mine). But these half-assed comments make it hard to have a good conversation.
P.S. Life is Simple in the Moonlight sounded pretty damn cool to me. Like the change of direction. Julian’s vocals on Under Cover of Darkness could’ve been better, but, as he said, “fuck it”
I just chalk it up to people being irrationally defensive about music. A lot of reasonable, non hater comments get the downvote just for not being pro-whatever band is being discussed, even if that comment is something as tame as “I’m disappointed by this band’s latest song”. It’s kind of a bummer sometimes.
Then again having half of the comments section taken up by GIFs isn’t so much better.
I’m a fanGIRL, tyvm :p
FAKE AND GAY
love the strokes. love julian. why the hell is miley there?
Ah, this feels so fresh
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I think I can weigh in in a non-hater sort of way, give them credit where it’s due but also agree they do deserve insults and should be given shit for having it easy, being privledged etc. Fact is, they peaked on their first record.
First off all, the first record is a really catchy, well written energetic pop rock album.
That said, their albums have gotten worse since then…and yes, more boring and tired.
They don’t seem to be progressing, they do look like bored millionaires and there is nothing rocknroll or special or lively or dangerous about either of these of these performances.
It’s sad because I was putting a lot of hope into them and hoping them to save rocknroll. They have not. And as someone who loves rocknroll. I expect more. Look how Nirvana went out. Where is the passion?
I think a lot of people make the mistake of judging the “credibility” or “authenticity” of art on the biographies of the artist. That’s a load of balls, art should be judged on its merit as art, and not as the crystallisation of a tortured childhood or a rags-to-riches story. Casablancas et. al. may be rich, but so what? They wrote some really good songs. It’s not like they one day sat down, after finishing a meal of hundred dollar bills, and were suddenly also one of the best guitar bands of the last ten years. It all takes work. Songs have to be written, bands have to practise. If they have money, it may be easier to eat and pay the rent, but there are plenty of bands from rich backgrounds with expensive gear playing at being rockstars, and none of them have a clue how to write a meaningful song. The Strokes, on the other hand, are genuine artists. Go and listen to “I’ll try anything once”, an early demo which only uses three chords, and hear how good a songwriter Casablancas is on his own merit. Watch any live video and see how well the guitarists interact. It’s not a question of money, or background, it’s a question of talent and ability. That’s the true authenticity.
As far as them ‘peaking’, many bands have better records and worse records. But even writing one game-changing album, which spawned multiple copycats and changed the sound of indie in the 00s, is quite an achievement, and I for one am still interested in the band and their story, because they have produced some authentically good art, and may do again. Is it any wonder that they found it hard to follow that debut when everything they do is met with a tidal wave of cynicism?
Yeah i swore all the white middle class indie kids forgot their parents werent coal miners : p
gonna have to agree with the other guy. these are boring as hell performances from a band just retreading what was done better in the 70′s. sorry. we do need some real ass bands to come along.
Johnny Ramone woulda kicked the shit outta these guys!