The Strokes "Angles"

I was surprised when I heard they had a new album.  I thought they had finally dried up and blown away.  Around the turn of the century, The Strokes arrived about the same time as The Vines, and my staff and I had a Stones vs. Beatles-type disagreement for the following several months.  By now, you should know my affinity for music Australian, and the Vines just had more moxy than the Strokes.  The Strokes were unjustified in their cocky swagger.  What's funny is that as far as sales and chart position were concerned, the Vines debut smoked the Strokes, yet the New Yorkers became critics' darlings and remain so today. 

So when early reviews for "Angles" screamed "maturity and growth", I figured what the heck, they couldn't get any worse.  They were playing the summer festivals, doing TV appearances, all the right things.  And sure enough, two songs deep into the record and I am stunned.  The two best tracks the band has ever done in my jaded mind.  Ah, but reality sets in afterwards and it's all downhill from there.  I believe I may have raised an eyebrow once or twice through the remainder of the record, but that was it. 

I will note that the big money bought a nice clean, crisp piece of production, very impressive indeed, worthy of a Top 5 record.  Too bad the ingredients are mediocre.  Top 5?!  Americans buy way too much hype...