It seems that every so often, just to prove to itself that it still matters, the surprisingly reified entity known as the “rock press” decides to tell the rest of the world that band X is going to “save” rock music.
Why do they do this? It seems that certain cadres of music fans seem to possess an eternal lament over the perpetual sad state of pop?lamentations which often border on a mythic conservatism, a yearning for “the good old days” which may never have existed. Today, this primarily means citing the holy terror of the Britney-*NSYNC-Backstreet Boys crew. Whether or not this reflects an actual decline, those who feel they have a modicum of appreciation for “good music” (whatever that may mean) cannot shake this critical existential dread.
Rock critics, regardless of whether they know better, wisely realize that they can take advantage of this. Hence, the rock savior is christened, and from thence flows the hype. Occasionally the hype is justified?Nirvana being a salient example. Other times, not so much. Remember Sigur Ros? Neither do I. Oh wait, yes I do?I wrote this column about them no more than a month ago. I bought the hype, wrote the column, saw the show, and proceeded to laugh through every moment of their ponderous, pretentious, overlong set. You see, these so-called “saviors of rock” are christened so often, and disappear so fast, it’s a wonder rock fans still believe the hype. Yet they do.
That said, the latest savior has been christened. The Strokes, of New York City, are the making critics everywhere line up to shower them with orgasmic shouts of “Velvet Underground!” and “Television!” Though comparisons to those two admittedly influential bands may be inevitable, it is unfortunate that so many retreat to these somewhat tired touchstones for this exciting, vital band.
All hype aside, the Strokes are an extremely good rock band which released an extremely good record, Is This It. Is that enough to save rock and roll? That’s a tall order, one I’m not convinced can be, or needs to be filled. Regardless, we have the opportunity to draw our own conclusions this upcoming Monday at the 9:30 Club.
Is This It isn’t a complicated record. The Strokes’ sound, which involves lots of trebly guitar, isn’t particularly challenging or innovative, yet the band rocks with such heart, it’s impossible to resist. The band sings love songs (both of the requited and not-so-requited varieties), rejection songs, reconciliation songs, break-up songs, hook-up songs?nothing much beyond that. When lead singer Julian Casablancas pulls out his Morrissey-like vibrato on songs such as “Hard to Explain” and “Modern Age,” your heart will drop, you’ll shed a tear and you’ll wish you knew the words, because you’ll want to sing along.
So don’t go see the Strokes on Monday because they are going to save rock. Don’t go because their success means something. Go see the Strokes because they sing great songs you’ll want sing along to. Go because you’ll have fun.
You can find the 9:30 Club at 815 V St. NW.
