JC_

Such an amazing and successful slight detour from her previous )already great) material. More alt/ country sounding, but poignant lyrics, solid arrangements, melodies and production. She is a gem.

Not as insanely good as the previous one. But this record will grow on you; give it time, there is a lot going on here.

I have to admit it was not until very recently that I revisited this album. It was after Reality Awaits came out, and some of the songs were giving me a little "deja vu" which source I couldn't identified. Then I remembered Comedown Machine. Back in 2013 I didn't understand what was going on with this album; nor like I paid a lot of attention, as I was going crazy being a new dad of an 11 month old son, while working insane hours at an insanely demanding job. But 13 years after I can tell you this album is awesome. After a week long listening non stop on my phone I gout myself a vinyl copy, and along my kids (both now huge Strokes' fans),, we've been listening all weekend. This is where things changed. Where the New Abnormal was born. Where many of the ideas of the new records started. Ans also I'm sure a record many other indie bands have used as inspiration to evolve their sound. They took so many cool risky choices, added synths, drum machines, different song structures. Please trust me it's f*ucking great; regardless of what that major clown Fantano says. Best tracks: Welcome to Japan, 80's Comedown Machine, Slow Animals (what a song, really); and of course Call it Fake, Call it Karma. Yes, maybe more 80's than 70s-reminiscent garage rock of the first ~3-4 albums. But, totally worth revisiting; I promise you'll be surprised. Like opening a vintage bottle of wine you forgot you had stored somewhere in your house.