Reviews
 Keep It Simple
Van Morrison
Roger McGuinn @ the Huntington IMAC, Long Island, NY - April 4, 2008
Emily Saxe @ the Allen Room/Jazz at Lincoln Center - April 5, 2008
Another Country
Tift Merritt
Be Your Own Pet
Get Awkward
Paul McCartney – The McCartney Years (DVD)
Juno – Music from the Motion Picture
Various Artists
Yes - Their Definitive Story
Day and Night Driving
Seven Mary Three
InterMedia Arts Center 2/2/08
Huntington, NY
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(Long Island, New York)
When I picked up The Strokes first release "Is This It" on October 9th of this year, I didn’t know what to expect. I had heard so much about this band from people over in the U.K. Everyone was praising these 20 year olds as the next big thing to come from America. Well, not knowing any songs by the band made me a bit apprehensive. I mean how can I praise a group without knowing any of their material? So, I popped in the disc and gave it a listen. I’ve got to say at first, I wasn’t impressed. I didn’t think these guys would have any staying power. But, after listening to the disc further, I started to come around. These guys have "Raw Power" just like The Stooges.
Anyway, that brings me to the 29th at the Vanderbilt. I’ve got to say I was psyched to the see America’s next big thing, in of all places Plainview, Long Island. And let me tell you The Strokes didn’t disappoint. The 5 piece played a blistering set for 45 minutes, ripping through such songs as "Hard To Explain", "Soma" and "Someday". The standout of this set was the hit "Last Nite". Julian Casablancas ripped through the vocals like a man possessed while Albert Hammond Jr. assaulted his guitar with such intensity, it was even making me tired.
I’ve got to say I am now a believer. I’m happy that America has finally produced a band to stand up there with the Oasis’ and Travis’ of our time. The Strokes play "kick ass" music. If you get a chance to see them, take advantage of it. Who knows how big they’ll be in 5 years.
-- Bret Callahan
In five years, they’ll be warming up for Blondie on the oldies circuit – IF they’re still together. Although the band plays with conviction, there is precious little originality in what they have to offer. Their ‘standout’ track ("Last Nite") sounds like a train wreck of Katrina and the Waves "Walking On Sunshine" with the Jam’s "Town Called Malice", played by a bar band at a barbecue thrown by Tom Petty. About the only original touch from these pseudo-punk rockers was the abrupt endings that they used for virtually every song, giving the impression that they just ran out of gas for each number. After a set that lasted less than 45 minutes, I presume that they DID run out of gas, too (or maybe out of songs). Tune in next year, and maybe they’ll have some material worth remembering – but I doubt anyone will remember who they are by then.
-- Tom Ryan
...but, how do you really feel Tom?
 
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