THE STROKES / Comedown Machine [2013]

After vocalist Julian Casablancas admitted The Strokes got back together after a 5 year hiatus purely for the money, it still leaves me cautious going into a new album, especially after the complete failure of their previous album 2011's Angles.
2013's Comedown Machine might be a little more cohesive but it still never quite gels together as a solid listen.  It sounds like the group is aiming to try out different styles and textures but never reach their limits and simply settle with "that's good enough".  It's filled with plenty of catchy new wave-esque hooks and melodies but it all comes off as half-baked with the exception of a few glimmers of gold.

2 assholes driving a Lotus out of 5

Songs Of Note: Tap Out; One Way Trigger