The Strokes

12 years ago five good-looking young men from New York released a classic rock 'n' roll album, kickstarting a whole new wave of guitar bands, along with fellow Americans, The White Stripes. Guitar music was as exciting as it had been for some time once more. It was the band's debut long player, leaving the immediate question - 'what next?' How do you follow such brilliance? Well, obviously, more often than not the only way is down, and sometimes it is an horrific spiral downwards.

It isn't possible to fluke such a great record, so talent is certainly present, even if peaking early does occur at times. This band, however, has something that fascinates me. I would say despite all the guitars it has an extremely pop heart behind its ribcage. In fact, the catchy songs, wonderfully melodic fleeting guitar solos and mixture of lazy, aggressive and beautifully sung vocals are all trademarks of one of the bands of the age. So their second album, hot on the heels of the debut did try to replicate its sound with a somewhat weaker repertoire of songs, but everything since has shown the band to be troubled, human, and inspiring in its battle and search. Who cares about the word 'cool' anyway, it has nothing to do with good music?

Yesterday, after many trials and tribulations, and long after the stage where many bands would have succumbed to the pantheon of musical memories, this band released its fifth album, 'Comedown Machine.' I want to write about these guys because they have clearly fought past the problems that such success caused and a possible loss of direction and they have overcome their demons to become a positive fully functioning unit again.They share a love of music. That is why they stay together, that is why they release new music and nothing else seems to matter. That is what this new record says to me. Also, it sounds like a hell of a lot of fun went into it. Music. The thing that makes so many of us draw breath.

So, nothing else matters. Not how much money their families had when they were growing up, nor the story of their personal lives. We will only be left with the music, that echoes in our headphones, that fills the halls of university campuses and homes in all different places. Maybe the way we listen to music has changed a lot in recent times, but the excitement, sheer pleasure and love for it is as ever, and no it shall not be dimmed, it shall remain.

These five guys should be proud for sticking to their guns, for emerging from the tunnel into the light and for making music that continues to show their talent, their evolution and their will to experiement. Thanks guys, glad to have you back!

Dedicated to The Strokes.