Stipe is without question an original and REM is a great band. I guess my point is the "sound" of early REM was exhaustively compared to the Byrds (the Rickenbacker guitar "twang") when they first came out . REM truly evolved their sound and continue to grow and experiment with each album...that's what makes them great.
It is safe to say that the Strokes (that's where we started with this thread, right?) have put out an album that sounds very much like and is heavily influenced by the early NY punk scene. I, for one, find the music to be refreshing with so much crap out there today... if not completely original.

I just think that for now, The Strokes hit on something (perhaps nostalgic) that people really dig. So I can agree that they're not a great band, but their record is really cool... and for me right now, that's ok. I will be waiting to see where they go next.

BTW, who remembers when REM's "Reckoning" came out? After the splash they made with Chronic Town and Murmur, plenty of folks thought reckoning was complete crap. I loved it, for the reason others mentioned... they were stretching out. if you had a chance to see them play live at that time, they were always playing country-tinged stuff that never made it to an album until Reckoning. But for me, the stuff they released on the few albums after Document seemed downright silly... i just couldn't get into it.


Schiss

Eh, I gave this album by The Strokes a listen, and did not see what all the hype was about. Yes, it sounds different than a good deal of current rock, but it must not be my cup of tea, as I did not get connected w/ the music at all.

Quote:



I kind of have to agree. I bought it after hearing all the hype last year, listened to it several times, and it disappeared in my collection. I got it out again this week to see if I missed something, but just couldn't get excited about it. To me (just my opinion, no offense anyone it sounded just like all the mid- to late-80s alternative guitar bands who were all trying to sound like early 80s alternative guitar bands

Another album that I bought at the same time because of similar hype: Pete Yorn. Same thing happened: I listened a few times, then it got stuck on a shelf. However, I took that one out a couple months ago and gave it another chance, and now I love it. One of the best albums of 2000 IMO

Strokes=record company hype. Just like At the Drive-In. Huge push for their record, then promptly forgotten. These guys don't have a sound or presence people will remember this time next year. They're retro-rockers, nothing more.

Totally disagree about At the Drive-In. Relationship of Command is a fantastic album. The reason they disappeared is because they seem to have broken up. They did make it "big" in England FWIW.