Innovation defines Strokes' new album

The Strokes released "Angles" officially March 22, which coincided with their appearance at the South by Southwest music festival held annually in Austin, Texas. "Angles" marks the fifth album from the indie band from New York City, and it doesn't disappoint. The band­—with vocals by Julian Casablancas, Nick Valensi and Albert Hammond Jr. on guitar, bassist Nikolai Fraiture, and drummer Fab Moretti—has been together since before 2001, and their creativity has hit a new high with "Angles".

The new CD brings familiar sound from their earlier works as well an expansion of their musical influence. When I first heard their song "Room on Fire," I knew instantly that this band would be one of my favorites. Through the years I have ventured to their older albums, like "Is This It," and enjoyed listening to them search for their sound while trying out different tempos and melodies.

"Angles" is no exception to this. They stay true to what has historically worked for them: melancholy rock and roll with heavy instrumentals and a lead vocalist that isn't afraid to push the boundaries of what his voice can do. Casablancas balances the sounds of the guitars and bass, at times following the high pitch picking and at others singing a sharp contrast to what the mood of the song calls for, like Freddy Mercury. In the song "Call Me Back" he utilizes the higher side of his range and smoothly transitions into the latter part of the album's slower feel.

One thing I particularly liked about this new album is The Strokes's willingness to utilize technology in bringing the music to the listeners. Some of the new songs use your earphones as competing factions of the song rallying for your attention, making it sound almost as if half of the band is on one side of you and the other half is across the room, and it works magnificently.

Another interesting thing this new batch of songs offers is the unique sound from the guitar that feels like they come out of a low flying UFO. They use this funky sound just enough to entice the listener but not enough that you feel E.T is part of the band. Being an indie band, I feel like The Strokes use enough of their artistic license to intrigue listeners without alienating their mainstream fans.

Many of The Strokes's hits sound like they were influenced by older rock and roll and even blues at times. They use different instruments in ways pioneered by visionaries like The Beatles and even use the absence of sound, abrupt or smooth, to tease the listener into checking their iPod's battery.

The slow tempo of the second half and vocal delights of Casablancas make their songs catchy in a good way; they will not leave your head when your earphones do. They must also have a genius song-name writer on their staff as well, with song names like "Gratisfaction" and "Call Me Back" perfectly capturing the feel of the songs as well as making the listener double take.

The reason I love The Strokes is that they will try new things. That being said, I think this album, at 10 songs long and 35 minutes (according to iTunes; I calculated it at 32 minutes and some change) is far too short. Their last album, "First Impressions of Earth," ran 14 songs and 53 minutes and was released in early 2006. Now all I have to hope for is that the next album doesn't take another 5 years to make.