What do you think the deal is? Does Casablancas actually write the basic song, including the chords, melody and arrangement, and then take it to the rest of the band for further fleshing out? I always imagined Hammond Jr. was putting a lot into the arrangement, etc...

I presume Hammond is a much better guitarist than JC, so he has him embellish the basics (like the riffage throughout the new one)...but that doesn't constitute making a songwriting contribution, per se.

But hey, they split the royalties equally, so good on JC...

i read that he writes all the songs on guitar, and then brings them to the band
but i've also read that the band writes the songs and then gives them to him when they are done.

so who knows what the hell happens.

Anybody else notice he apes Barry Manilow's "Mandy" in the chorus of "Razorblade" on the new one?

I had been trying to place that, but yeah, he sure does.

Jan 5, 11:09 AM

How dare you not read every post made to this board.

Yeah, I imagine that Julian brings in the basic song and everyone has some input into their part. It would be hard for me to believe that he's writing Albert Hammond, Jr. and Nick Valensi's guitar parts. Particularly with the way the guitar playing has progressed on this album.

Did I mention I love this album? Haters be damned, Electricityscape and Red Light in particular have been making me smile all week.

i have faith that the Strokes are in it for the long haul, and this album is going to be considered the final album in their "early years trilogy"

Sorry SB.

I've just listened to the entire new album for the first time. All I can say is the guys deserve credit for continuing to develop their music and challenge themselves. They could easily rest on their looks and phone it in ("phoning it in",see: Weezer) but instead they are putting their heart and souls into it, and making some mighty fine, and interesting music. They've gone way beyond simple hooks this time. It sounds like they are really enjoying being a band and exploring what they can do.

Anyone else get a Walkmen vibe from the vocals on a few of the songs?

You know that was tongue-in-cheek. Is that Mr. Wrestling II? I can't see how anyone can not like this album. The more I listen, the better it gets.

Exactly how I feel. CAN'T STOP LISTENING

must...buy....

I missed the $9.99 deals the week it was released. I'm holding out for another sale.

easy, it's boring.

Good Strokes feature that mentions JC "writes all the band's material."

http://www.nymetro.com/nymetro/news/culture/features/15495/

I like The Strokes and the new album but I'm not sure where you got this from. If you listen to the lyrics, it's one long complaint!

I'm ripping this album on to my MP3 player right now and some of the songs are coming up as co-credits.

'Ask Me Anything' - Casablanca; Valenti
'Killing Lies' - Casablanca; Fraiture
'Evening Sun' - Moretti, Casablanca

this is the first album to NOT be written solely by him i believe

Your ripping program gives writing credits? Is it in the idv3 tag? What software is this?

No kidding. I went to Tower & Best Buy tonite. Both were $14.