"new" punk

Posted by: Tony L on 09 November 2001

Anyone like the new punky stuff that is currently being heralded by the music press as being the future of mankind? Both White Stripes and The Strokes seem to be being hyped massively, and whilst I have not been impressed by The Strokes with the two songs I have heard on MTV, I do like White Stripes. I bought their White blood cells album last week, its raw, edgy and has a real energy and aggression to it.

White Stripes are a brother and sister duo, just guitar and drums, and the tracks on the album that stick to this without overdubs are really excellent, some tracks are fleshed out a little further, though not much. Whilst there is nothing really new here at all, their influences are all pretty obvious (early Iggy, Pink flag era Wire etc), the rawness and energy is really cool. Real good fun plus an excellent and remarkably violent recording.

Tony.

Posted on: 09 November 2001 by von zipper

I have to agree Tony. The Strokes are benefiting from a lot of undeserved publicity and are definately this years 'hype'.A classic example that attitude alone does not make good music.
I just wonder how long it will be before the pack suddenly decide to turn and shoot them down!?

The White Stripes, although now being lauded by the bandwagon jumpers, have already proved their validity with previous albums.They might not be anything new, but at least they do their influences justice. Well worth checking out if you like good time Rawk'n'Roll

Posted on: 09 November 2001 by Steve Catterall

Not sure I can agree with that Mr Zippy. I know its very tempting to slag bands off when the music press start being silly about them, but I think the Strokes more than live up to the hype.

I must admit that the CD doesn't really match their live show, which is raw, fast and very energetic.

A slightly different set of influences to the White Stripes - less blues and a bit more pop, which maybe isn't to your taste. Both bands sem to do their influences justice to me

Posted on: 09 November 2001 by von zipper

Point taken Steve-I haven't seen them live-It might change my opinion if I did.I don't think they are particularly bad,just particularly average.It just annoys me when the press picks up on a band and hypes them incessently when there are far better groups out there getting ignored.Gets me mad, it does!

Posted on: 09 November 2001 by Tony L

Von Zipper:

quote:
The White Stripes, although now being lauded by the bandwagon jumpers, have already proved their validity with previous albums.They might not be anything new, but at least they do their influences justice. Well worth checking out if you like good time Rawk'n'Roll

Which do you rate as their best album? I would be interested if there is one with no overdubs, i.e. just 1 guitar and drums...

Steve:

quote:
I must admit that the CD doesn't really match their live show, which is raw, fast and very energetic.

Is the Strokes CD any good?

Tony.

Posted on: 09 November 2001 by glenda

I defy anyone to play "Hard to Explain" loud and keep still - it's the best single in years. The rest of the album is good to very good . As for the White Stripes , I'm not so keen but changed my mind after listening to them live from John Peel's house last night. Very entertaining so I would buy their album ... but only in a slow week when nothing else was screaming out to be bought.

Posted on: 09 November 2001 by Lo Fi Si

Quote

Is the Strokes CD any good?

IMHO it's OK, but not as exceptional as the hype made out. The singles, especially "Last Night" are probably the strongest stuff on it(no suprise there). If those float your boat, the rest is much the same.
It IS better than Iggy's BLAH BLAH BLAH which I picked up SH last weekend.

I must get the White Stripes latest though.

Simon

Posted on: 09 November 2001 by von zipper

Tony,
Both previous albums are similar to Blood cells in their approach although the debut has a less produced ,looser,more'bluesy' feel whilst de stijl is slighty more ambitious and diverse.Both are good and examples of a band developing it's talent but IMO,neither are quite as accessible as the new one.

Posted on: 09 November 2001 by Steve Catterall

Tony

I think the Strokes (like everything else) are a matter of individual taste, but if you like that sort of music (they ceratinly have more New York Dolls in them than the White Stripes), then I'd say the CD was very good indeed. Its definitely a grower.

Posted on: 09 November 2001 by woodface

I think Stokes sound most like the Fall due to the distoted vocal and the almost spitting delivery. I will concede that this could well be coincidental seeing as they are from NYC!

Posted on: 09 November 2001 by Lo Fi Si

Have Blink 182 got a new member? yeah I like it in a sort of perverse way. Bubblegum punk anyone?

Simon

Posted on: 09 November 2001 by Tony L

quote:
Does Blink 183 count? I love this stuff, but many people look down their noses at it.

That’s different stuff!

There are tons of US bands in the indie / metal / power pop ballpark at the moment, many of which have stunningly tight musicianship, Blink 182 or Alien Ant Farm are both good examples. These guys can all really play. The White Stripes are loose and raw, and have a real cool kak-handedness / DIY ethic to them - this is not precise music at all, it’s technically a real mess, but a bloody good mess.

As for Blink 182 etc, the band in that general area that I suspect I do like are Linkin Park. I have heard some pretty good stuff by them on MTV2, probably good enough to land the album at some point.

Tony.

Posted on: 09 November 2001 by SaturnSF

I think the Strokes album is killer; one of the best "rock" lps I've heard in a long time. Blame the music press for the hype, anyway.

Posted on: 09 November 2001 by Peter C

Did anyone see them on Later with Jools Holland?

Posted on: 10 November 2001 by redeye

Heard the Strokes album yesterday.. initial opinion confirmed....one word to describe would have to be DROSS
Try Queens of the Stone Age instead, vastly more meaty & beaty & bouncy for that matter

redeye

Posted on: 10 November 2001 by Jez Quigley

The more mature gentlefolk (old geezers), will call to mind:

New York Dolls - Mystery Girls
The Clash - Complete Control
Flamin Groovies - Shake Some Action

eee they don't make 'em like that anymore.

Posted on: 12 November 2001 by John C

I thought the White Stripes were great on Later with Jools Holland and blew all the other guests off the stage. Mind you Jamiroquoi or Muse are complete tosh. I thoght they had a stripped down almost country/blues type of feel rather than punk, despite the low fi thrashing .Reminded me of the early Sun records releases like the Tenesee Two, Carl Perkins or even Jerry Lee (without the instrumental ability).

John.ƒ

Posted on: 12 November 2001 by von zipper

The Stripes were the perfect reminder that you dont need 5 backing singers and numerous musicians to make a good sound. Just two people with enough energy, doing their thing. Short,sharp and very sweet!
Exactly the injection of lo-fi that 'Later' needed.

[This message was edited by von zipper on MONDAY 12 November 2001 at 13:38.]

Posted on: 12 November 2001 by Bosh

Actually I quite like Muse, but Later was not one of their best performances, unlike Muse Live at Leeds University which was shown on MTV earlier last week, definitely worth watching out for the re-run

Posted on: 12 November 2001 by Tony L

quote:
Actually I quite like Muse, but Later was not one of their best performances, unlike Muse Live at Leeds University which was shown on MTV earlier last week, definitely worth watching out for the re-run

I saw the live at leeds thing on MTV, and yes that was pretty cool, certainly very energetic. I have got their Showbiz album, though the jury is still out. They have an element to their music that is hard to describe as anything other than prog-rock… dunno what to make of 'em really. I thought their recent single Bliss had something good about it.

Tony.

Posted on: 14 November 2001 by P

Check out Channel 4 from 11.30pm.

White Stripes are on the Joe Whiley show.

I think they're ace.

Remind me of The Shaking Pyramids for some reason - energy maybe?

I love the Strokes too - spotting the influence is an occupation.

Last Night frinstance? - How about the opening bars from Tom Pettys American Girl leading into Lust for Life followed by the Modern Lovers - She Cracked followed by......ah well you get the picture.

Love 'em for it though. Refreshing stuff.