“Black Skinhead” is absolutely incredible. I still don’t get “New Slaves” as much.

Sounds kinda like Queens of the Stone Age.

Total “Time of the Season” drumbeat rip. Still love these guys.

You know what else just hit me? The Strokes are the US’s version of Oasis. Let me explain.

Both come into the rock music in a period when there are a dearth of exciting new rock bands and release incredible and generation-defining debut albums which inspire a whole new generation of kids to pick up guitars and bring rock music back into the consciousness in a real way. They then follow their debut successes with a very good sophomore record, if not quite as good as the debut that helps sustain and build their popularity. After a little while basking in success, they create third albums hampered by a sense of dislocation and drug abuse and cause people to decide that the magic is gone. Upon later review, those albums hold up somewhat better and have great moments/singles, but there’s no denying the disappointment. After a hiatus, they return with a bad album with some good singles and then as much of a return to form as anyone could reasonably expect. After that, band arguments/creative exhaustion cause them to break up, and the individual members go on to make fascinating solo projects . Years after their debut albums, they retain fans just out of sheer loyalty/devotion to the influential and brilliant early material with hopes that maybe they can recapture the spark.

Wonder if they’ll expand this list, as they leave out some huge areas like Atlanta, all of Texas, etc. Maybe they really are getting to old for a huge trek.

I don’t know if that’s fair. His first solo album has some great tracks, and the last Oasis record at least had great singles.

I’m Chipotle, and I’m here to provide digital burritos to all.

I love the album cover, actually. It’s their best (both cover wise and music wise) since Room on Fire.

Interestingly, I almost feel a Phoenix vibe in songs like “Slow Animals.” As far as the album goes, what else could you want or reasonably expect from the Strokes at this point in their career?

If Wayne isn’t the most important rapper of his generation (combining pop appeal with critical acclaim and innovation), than who is? It’s a serious question, and I’m wondering who people would hold up as the alternative.

I think there are some fantastic tracks on the album that I will come back to (“The Stars Are Out Tonight,” “Love is Lost”) and the rest are really good but not fantastic.

I have really mixed feelings about Goats Head Soup. Sometimes I think it’s a lot better than people give it credit for, but other times I feel like it’s just a really weak and uninspired album. Also, anyone who wants to get into the early Stones has to own the London Singles Collection, some of the best rock and roll music ever made.