The Strokes - Comedown Machine (2013)

Continuing in the experimental direction they took with 2011's "Angles," The Strokes 5th album features heavy nods towards 80's music --particularly post-punk and synthpop -- as well as towards their original garage rock sound. Most of the songs are pretty catchy, and overall it's a very solid album but at the same time it seems to lack the freshness I found on "Angles." A few of the songs such as "50/50" and "Happy Ending" just seem rather stagnant and uninspired. But again, it's still a good album with several songs such as "One Way Trigger" and "All the Time" that are sure to become live staples. Hats off to this band for continuing to make enjoyable music even after they largely abandoned their roots.

  

8.5/10