The Time of the Assassins was released today.
I actually reviewed this back on December 31st in my notebook, after hearing the album for the first (and third, and seventh) times.
It's hard to ignore The Strokes, even when they are each working on their own projects, not as a united force of awesome. As frustrating as it is that the boys aren't producing new material collectively (they will be in a couple of weeks though!), their individual creativity really shines on these solo projects.
While Little Joy's melodies are irresistible, it doesn't come close to the dynamite combination of Nikolai's voice (which is deep like Julian's, but less scratchy) and the pounding precision of Nick's guitars (Yeah Yeah Yeahs' Nick Zinner, not Valensi)
Each song on this record is a unique gem: Nikolai jumps form the brooding darkness of "Back from Exile" to "Fountain Avenue", a song which combines Euro-folksy harmonicas and a surprisingly upbeat guitar riff. What is it with new music sounding like European folk music?
The rhythm guitars throughout have an unmistakably country feel. Only a Stroke could combine ethnic folk and American Country and pull it off.
"Brandy of the Damned", the debut single which shocked devoted Strokes fans (a lot of whom were convinced that it was Julian singing) combines Spoon-like rhythm and old Franz Ferdinand guitar work. Ironic, of course, seeing as how Franz were influenced by The Strokes.
"Where The Cold Wind Blows" captures that same tragic feel which Led Zeppelin perfected in "Stairway to Heaven", but is followed by "Another Sunny Afternoon", a song which manages to make a harmonica sound cheerful.
I have a feeling that these songs sound better live.
3/5
Nickel Eye - Where The Cold Wind Blows [mp3]
Nickel Eye - Brandy of the Damned [mp3]
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