• Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Mar 22, 2011
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 266 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 9 out of 266
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
  1. Oct 3, 2011
    7
    Angles has grown on me, going from a B- to a straight A. It was such a great decision to change their style a little bit after the somewhat disappointing First Impressions of Earth. Overall, Angles comes together beautifully and is one of the most underrated and unfairly overlooked albums of the past few years
  2. Mar 28, 2011
    10
    Best album in 5 years by the best band of all time. More of a grower than the previous, but that's a very cool thing. All of their music lasts, and they've never made a bad song. Check it out.
  3. Jun 12, 2011
    8
    Really great album. Of course it is not an "Is this it" 2 but it's a good album for sure. The Strokes have changed in ten years but their still one of the best band of this decade. "Taken for a fool" and "Macchu Pichu" are the masterpieces of this album. "Life is simple in the moonlight" is one of their best tracks ever.
  4. Jul 19, 2011
    10
    First heard this when I was on the plane, and stumbled across it when amidst deep boredom. An electrically absorbing and impressively composed slice of indie culture. Not really indie, though. Best track is Machu Picchu, and the other truly memorable ones are Taken for a Fool and Gratisfaction.
  5. j30
    Jul 20, 2011
    9
    From the opening bass line of Machu Picchu I was blown away. This is a return to form from a band I thought would never see the studio again (First Impressions of Earth sounds like a breakup album). Julian Casablancas being more open and not overseeing everything the band was doing was just the ticket. Listening to their previous albums before this one, I honestly believe this is theirFrom the opening bass line of Machu Picchu I was blown away. This is a return to form from a band I thought would never see the studio again (First Impressions of Earth sounds like a breakup album). Julian Casablancas being more open and not overseeing everything the band was doing was just the ticket. Listening to their previous albums before this one, I honestly believe this is their best album since Is This It and could be the best rock album of the year. I don't understand why fans are so disappointed in an album that captures everything we love about The Strokes. Under the Cover of Darkness and Taken for a Fool sounds like they could have come off of Is This It. The rest sounds like a better version of Room on Fire. It feels like Phoenix's Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, it catches you from the beginning and never lets go. The perfect summer album. Expand
  6. Aug 31, 2011
    8
    With the strokes being the best band on the planet at the moment I should have been looking forward to this album, but then I remembered their last attempt at an album, and what a colossal failure it was. When I first listened to the album I have to admit I wasn't too impressed, A couple tracks "under the cover of darkness" and "Gratisfaction" stood out, but the rest i thought were lazyWith the strokes being the best band on the planet at the moment I should have been looking forward to this album, but then I remembered their last attempt at an album, and what a colossal failure it was. When I first listened to the album I have to admit I wasn't too impressed, A couple tracks "under the cover of darkness" and "Gratisfaction" stood out, but the rest i thought were lazy attempts at riff driven indie-rock. That was what I thought, but I was wrong. Give this album the full attention it deserves and it will reward you. I grows on you, and after the third time of listening i thought "Wow, this really is a good album". "Machu Picchu" quickly became my favourite song from the record. "Taken for a fool" hit me as a superb song and "Life Is simple in the moonlight" became a very apt final track to a now brilliant album.
    I warn you don't judge a book by a cover, or, more relevant to this album, after reading it only once.
    Expand
  7. Jun 24, 2012
    5
    Under Cover of Darkness, Taken for a Fool and Gratisfaction are the only great songs in Angles, the rest is complete and utter **** And even these three songs could have been a lot better, I'd say the recording style had a lot to do with it, the songs feel disconnected and at times nonsensical because of it.

    Truly a huge disappointment, I honestly thought this would be their comeback,
    Under Cover of Darkness, Taken for a Fool and Gratisfaction are the only great songs in Angles, the rest is complete and utter **** And even these three songs could have been a lot better, I'd say the recording style had a lot to do with it, the songs feel disconnected and at times nonsensical because of it.

    Truly a huge disappointment, I honestly thought this would be their comeback, guess I was wrong. Gratisfaction and Taken for a Fool seem like the only fresh tunes while still retaining some of that old Strokes feel to them.
    Expand
  8. May 15, 2015
    7
    A good return to form.. and at the same time a good sign that the band is trying always something new. There are some killer tunes here (Taken for a Fool and Machu Pichu for example) and some great other songs as well (Under Cover of Darkness, Two Kinds of Happiness, Life is Simple in the Moonlight). All the other tracks are mostly good or ok, but what they lack is a cohesive idea thatA good return to form.. and at the same time a good sign that the band is trying always something new. There are some killer tunes here (Taken for a Fool and Machu Pichu for example) and some great other songs as well (Under Cover of Darkness, Two Kinds of Happiness, Life is Simple in the Moonlight). All the other tracks are mostly good or ok, but what they lack is a cohesive idea that holds them all tight. It's an album that does a lot of experimenting, but there doesn't seem to be an actual overall idea behind it, even though, as I said, most of the tracks are pretty fun to listen to. Expand
  9. Mar 23, 2011
    10
    I was disappointed with this album when I first listened to it. Now it's grown on me with a vengeance. I absolutely love it. Taken for a Fool is easily one of the best songs, with it's fantastic chorus. Games, the most unnerving departure from The Strokes' norm, is now one of my favourite songs. Life is Simple in the Moonlight has a unique atmosphere of distant sincerity and regret. Not toI was disappointed with this album when I first listened to it. Now it's grown on me with a vengeance. I absolutely love it. Taken for a Fool is easily one of the best songs, with it's fantastic chorus. Games, the most unnerving departure from The Strokes' norm, is now one of my favourite songs. Life is Simple in the Moonlight has a unique atmosphere of distant sincerity and regret. Not to mention Under Cover of Darkness, easily the best individual Strokes song since the Is This It era. Expand
  10. Mar 22, 2011
    6
    The Strokes return is marred by their recording process. According to the band themselves, they were all involved in the song writing process (whereas Julian wrote the majority of everything previously) and Julian recorded his vocals separately from the band in many instances. You can really tell the band is disjointed and Julian's vocals often seen to float above the music. However, thereThe Strokes return is marred by their recording process. According to the band themselves, they were all involved in the song writing process (whereas Julian wrote the majority of everything previously) and Julian recorded his vocals separately from the band in many instances. You can really tell the band is disjointed and Julian's vocals often seen to float above the music. However, there are some highlights. "Machu Piccu" has a nice reggae feel. "Under the Cover of Darkness" is a classic sounding Strokes song. The standouts are "Gratisfaction" and "Taken for a Fool" sounds both classic and fresh. Expand
  11. Jun 4, 2011
    6
    The first signs were good, as pre-release single "Under Cover Of Darkness" was a classic stab of the lean and spiky pop of 2001, and with the benefit of Julian Casablancas' improved vocal, seemed to promise a new vitality we hadn't heard for about 10 years.Appetite whetted, it comes as a huge disappointment that "Angles" never once lives up to the promise of the leadoff single. Whilst notThe first signs were good, as pre-release single "Under Cover Of Darkness" was a classic stab of the lean and spiky pop of 2001, and with the benefit of Julian Casablancas' improved vocal, seemed to promise a new vitality we hadn't heard for about 10 years.Appetite whetted, it comes as a huge disappointment that "Angles" never once lives up to the promise of the leadoff single. Whilst not a bad recording, too much time apart forging their solo careers via subtle twists on alternative music has left the band creatively rudderless and their compositions limply hanging on by aping early 80s pop and new wave acts. An instant backfire arrives via the lightweight opener "Machu Picchu", where both guitars and drums attempt a clipped unconvincing dance rhythm and deliver what can only be described as the sound of a Nik Kershaw b-side to "Wide Boy", "When A Heart Beats" or something equally facile. If A-ha ever investigated where their influence has spread to, then look no further than "Games". Far more appealing is "Two Kinds Of Happiness" which recalls Ric Ocasek's Cars from around the "Panorama" era. The well reported internal frictions that existed and indeed delayed the release of this collection have undoubtedly had an effect on the final release, and the epitome of these pressures is highlighted on the tawdry ballad "Call Me Back", which reeks of half hearted commitment to the cause.To perfectly reflect the content of this recording The Strokes missed a trick. They should have added "Obtuse" in front of "Angles" for a perfectly descriptive product title. http://hackskeptic.com Expand
  12. Mar 22, 2011
    8
    Angles is yet another success by The Strokes. Their first two albums were beyond great and First Impressions Of Earth I thought was even pretty good. And Angles is no exception. It sounds different from any other Strokes album. Every song sounds great and Julian's voice has never sounded more great. All In All, Angles is a great album and The Strokes have yet to fail. B+
  13. Mar 30, 2011
    4
    Gone too long, the second track on this album is AMAZING but I had to replay it about 100 times because all the other tracks on this album are just bad. Weak, no power, WHAT HAPPENED?? I hope thy return with a vengeance after this because they really need to do so.
  14. Apr 10, 2011
    3
    I had a feeling this was not a great record when the band reported that they were recording without Julian for a majority of the sessions. The result is exciting at times, interesting at others, but overall this album never really gets going. "Taken for a Fool' and "Under Cover of Darkness" sound like The Strokes at their best, but the rest of this album is forgettable. Hopefully,I had a feeling this was not a great record when the band reported that they were recording without Julian for a majority of the sessions. The result is exciting at times, interesting at others, but overall this album never really gets going. "Taken for a Fool' and "Under Cover of Darkness" sound like The Strokes at their best, but the rest of this album is forgettable. Hopefully, extensive touring will help them regain their swagger and comeback album #2 will be a much more impressive effort Expand
  15. Mar 29, 2011
    8
    I think it's great from beginning to end; not a track I skip. It's got a classic strokes sound but with some really cool and interesting additional effects and arrangements. The vocals, instrumental performances, beats, harmonies, and melodies shine well in clearly distinguishable tracks that work well together as an album. It's short and sweet, like their first two records, I'm notI think it's great from beginning to end; not a track I skip. It's got a classic strokes sound but with some really cool and interesting additional effects and arrangements. The vocals, instrumental performances, beats, harmonies, and melodies shine well in clearly distinguishable tracks that work well together as an album. It's short and sweet, like their first two records, I'm not disappointed at all; a great improvement over the at times laborious FIOE. Expand
  16. Mar 23, 2011
    3
    I kept trying to dig this album because I dig The Strokes. I enjoyed Julian Casablanca's solo album, Phrazes..., more and I thought that had some real misses. From what I've heard this was the groups first real collaborative effort, as the prior albums were mainly brainchildren of Julian. It feels like it a collaboration album, with the songs competitive and discordant with one another.I kept trying to dig this album because I dig The Strokes. I enjoyed Julian Casablanca's solo album, Phrazes..., more and I thought that had some real misses. From what I've heard this was the groups first real collaborative effort, as the prior albums were mainly brainchildren of Julian. It feels like it a collaboration album, with the songs competitive and discordant with one another. I'm slow on music and I'll probably 'figure it out' and enjoy it later, but right now it has me scratching my head. Expand
  17. Mar 25, 2011
    3
    I first saw their appearance on SNL. Under Cover of Darkness and Life is Simple in the Moonlight sounded a bit more commerical then usual but still like, ok, they're back, let's listen to the new work! In the last decade the Strokes were one of the bands who saved rock n' roll, after all. When I first listed to the whole album I was simply shocked. The opening track Macchu Picchu wasI first saw their appearance on SNL. Under Cover of Darkness and Life is Simple in the Moonlight sounded a bit more commerical then usual but still like, ok, they're back, let's listen to the new work! In the last decade the Strokes were one of the bands who saved rock n' roll, after all. When I first listed to the whole album I was simply shocked. The opening track Macchu Picchu was fitting perfectly for a new Franz Ferdinand single while You're So Right for a Radiohead one! Games seemed to be probably a nice electropop song, ok for a Julian's solo album but, what about rock n' roll? Then, when Metabolism sounded like Muse, it turned into a nightmare, I just could not believe my ears.
    After the initial disappointment and some further listening the feeling of an album that will not last long aroused anyway. Let's hope this will not be the way the band wants to turn into... they announced they will be back recording for the fifth album immediately, in April! I'm scared!
    Expand
  18. Mar 22, 2011
    9
    On the back of lead single "Under Cover of Darkness", one would be excused for expecting a stylistic return to The Strokes brilliant debut Is This It. It didn't come. Though it's the most experimental the band has ever been, it's still a polished, dynamic album that seems certain to age just as well as Is This It.
  19. Apr 23, 2011
    8
    I don't understand the negative reviews for Angles, it is a fantastic reboot for one of the greatest bands of the century so far, machu picchu, under the cover of darkness and taken for a fool are all stand-outs
  20. Mar 27, 2011
    8
    The only complaint I have with this album is that all the good songs are crammed at the front, making it a downhill experience from when you start listening. All-in-all, this is a good album and a good sound for the Strokes. Any Strokes fan should be pleased.
  21. Mar 26, 2011
    8
    To be honest Angles is much better and radio friendly than their previous effort, machu piccu and taken for a fool might be their best songs since Room on Fire era. On the other hand, "You're so right" is the worst thing they have ever done. Games and Metabolism is also little bit hard to get used to too, but they slowly grew on me, In general it's a good record, much better than ITo be honest Angles is much better and radio friendly than their previous effort, machu piccu and taken for a fool might be their best songs since Room on Fire era. On the other hand, "You're so right" is the worst thing they have ever done. Games and Metabolism is also little bit hard to get used to too, but they slowly grew on me, In general it's a good record, much better than I expected especially from a band had so many issues while recording this album... It's a bit short though. Hope we won't wait another 5 years before we hear next 10 strokes songs. Expand
  22. Jun 1, 2011
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This album merges both the essential character of the Strokes but also excellence in creativity retrieves the album Is this It. I love this album. There are traces of the style of the band Muse in Metabolism, can repair. Expand
  23. Mar 23, 2011
    7
    Full discretion - this review is being written by a die hard Strokes fan for years now. As a fan of the last three albums, I struggled mightily while listening to Angles for the first time. It reminded me of the transition the Yeah Yeah Yeahs took with their third album. Those transitions pain me, but I am not against change. I only write this because I've heard to many reviewersFull discretion - this review is being written by a die hard Strokes fan for years now. As a fan of the last three albums, I struggled mightily while listening to Angles for the first time. It reminded me of the transition the Yeah Yeah Yeahs took with their third album. Those transitions pain me, but I am not against change. I only write this because I've heard to many reviewers comparing this album to their debut "Is This It". "Angles" is similar to "Is This It" in that they can both be purchased in CD format. The similarities stop there. Maccu Piccu is reggae Strokes. Under the Cover of Darkness is PERFECT. There are times I wish it was not on the album because every time I begin to respect the new direction the album is taking, or the different "angles" if you will, Under the Cover of Darkness pops up and reminds me how amazing the band can be. You're So Right should have been named You're So Radiohead. Games is just horrible. I've listened to the album over and over trying to force myself to like that song and every time it pops up I just keep expecting Paula Abdul to jump out and dance with a cartoon cat. Call Me Back should have been the lead track. It's a very good song but you don't realize it at first because you're still trying to wash Games out of your ears when it comes on. Machu Picchu would have been a good fit for track 7. It would have added a little pep to a section of the album that drags. Gratisfaction is the Strokes version of Queen. With that said, note that Games is the only track I said I didn't like. Just because I make comparisons to Radiohead or Queen, don't assume I mean that in a bad way. I only need to stress to Strokes fans that this album is very, very different. If you enter the album expecting that, then the transition to their new sound will go much more smoothly. So I like the album. However, I can't help but be a little disappointed. I feel as though I waited five years for a Strokes album that did not get released. However, I'll take Angles in the place of that Strokes album and enjoy it as it is. Solid release. Expand
  24. Apr 26, 2011
    8
    While this is by far not their best stuff, Angles still delivered exactly what I needed from The Strokes. Granted not all the tracks are amazing there are many stand out tracks that keep me coming back for more. Under Cover of Darkness and Taken for a Fool are just classic Strokes while Machu Picchu has a refreshing reggae feel. There isn't a single track on this album that is trulyWhile this is by far not their best stuff, Angles still delivered exactly what I needed from The Strokes. Granted not all the tracks are amazing there are many stand out tracks that keep me coming back for more. Under Cover of Darkness and Taken for a Fool are just classic Strokes while Machu Picchu has a refreshing reggae feel. There isn't a single track on this album that is truly disappointing. Overall this album was well worth the many listens I've given it, and the many more to come. Expand
  25. Apr 5, 2011
    8
    Solid album, the songs stay fresh feel new. Every song has depth and is worth listening to. The Strokes went out on a limb with Angles being by far there most experimental album, it was worth it.
  26. Mar 23, 2011
    7
    Let's get the obvious question out of the way first. Is Angles as good as The Strokesâ
  27. Mar 23, 2011
    9
    People are sure to compare The Strokes' latest album to their 2001 debut, 'Is This It?', and it's quite understandable. However, over the last decade, the New York rockers have really changed their sound. Looking back on the chronology of their albums, you can begin to see the change in sound from their days of 'Last Night', '12:51', and 'Reptilia', into the more retrospective tone thatPeople are sure to compare The Strokes' latest album to their 2001 debut, 'Is This It?', and it's quite understandable. However, over the last decade, the New York rockers have really changed their sound. Looking back on the chronology of their albums, you can begin to see the change in sound from their days of 'Last Night', '12:51', and 'Reptilia', into the more retrospective tone that you hear in their latest album. While their third album, 'First Impressions of Earth' was a lot more experimental, the main problem with this was that it really isolated fans of their old sound from fans that were more accepting of the change. Their fanbase was split between their new, growing electronic sound and the old school strum and drum of their debut and sophomore album. While the band went into Hiatus, it was clear that some members were more responsible for this change more than others. You can hear a lot of similarities in Julian's solo album, which takes the path of electro rock rather than alternative. However, there is also the fact that Julian was not even in the studio when the instrumental recordings took place. Not that there is anyone to 'blame' for this album, it's a great piece of work, if not a touch discombobulated. First things first, they seem to have made quite a mistake in ordering the album. The opening song 'Macchu Pichu', is reminiscent of 80's pop in its verses, with an extremely catchy chorus and bridge. It'll have you nodding your head along as the song bops away. However, this is not the kind of song you'd expect to open up one of the most anticipated albums this side of the decade. Followed up by the lead single 'Under Cover of Darkness', this is much more like the original Strokes sound. Fun riffs, classic Julian vocals, twin guitars, and a slip n' slide solo. The following two songs 'Two Kinds of Happiness' and 'You're So Right' are much more hit or miss. The former being more of a poppy ballad with a catchy chorus, and the latter sounding a lot more dark and brooding, much like First Impressions' 'Juicebox'. One of the only songs to make it past the initial production of the album was the fifth song 'Taken For A Fool'. The twins guitars busting out the rhythms in the verses are very mellow, while the chorus picks up the pace and the rip-roaring wail of Hammond Jr.'s guitar makes it flow with Julian's almost half-bored sounding vocals, which is signature for him.

    'Games' is a lot more of what The Strokes seem to be heading toward. Much more electronic in sound, but no real substance behind it. These guys sure have a knack for making their instruments sound like computer generated ones, and while this is good for some, it's a really isolating factor for fans of their old sound. 'Call Me Back' is a more ballad-like, more sincere sounding piece, and one of the songs where you can really hear the emotion in every sound. 'Gratisfaction' is without a doubt the best song on this album. It combines the classic sounds these guys produced a decade ago with their current fixation with electronic sounds. Poppy all the way through, it'll have you whistling with the verse's riff, and singing along by the chorus, even if you don't know the words.

    The closing songs 'Metabolism' and 'Life Is Simple In The Moonlight' are seemingly the two most introspective songs on the album, bringing out a sort of 'emotionless emotion' that is Julian Casablancas' voice. He broods over the ripping guitars in 'Metabolism', seeming to croon his emotions in an almost lullaby-like voice. While in 'Life Is Simple', he seems a bit more reserved, but still puts a mysterious sort of feeling into this song. The closing song is where Fabrizio's drumming really shines through in the album. Filling the gaps between verse and chorus flawlessly. Hammond's final solo really pulls the whole piece together, making it one of the best closing songs I've heard on any album.

    The only significant problem I found with this album was the fact that the lineup is very convoluted, not really settling on any one sound for long before moving on to another. However, this can be fixed simply by rearranging the songs to your liking

    Overall, this album will never live up to 'Is This It?', but on its own merit, this album is more than good, it's great. And while it will continue to divide fans of the group between their old and new sound, it really stands to be the best combination of the two, bringing them together and creating a fun and introspective album that will stand the test of time.

    People will continue to compare 'Angles' to The Strokes' debut album, but it's almost like comparing apples to oranges at this point.
    Expand
  28. Mar 28, 2011
    8
    This album WILL grow on you. Listen to it a few times from start to finish and somewhere around round three, you forget what you didn't like about it.
  29. Mar 28, 2011
    9
    I loved this album from the the first listen. Such a diverse album with every song being so different from the other one. Room on Fire tried to hard to replicate Is This it? while First Impressions of Earth was 4 songs too long and a lot of them missed the mark. Angles is short, to the point and experimental in the best way. The songs don't run into each other, the guitars play off eachI loved this album from the the first listen. Such a diverse album with every song being so different from the other one. Room on Fire tried to hard to replicate Is This it? while First Impressions of Earth was 4 songs too long and a lot of them missed the mark. Angles is short, to the point and experimental in the best way. The songs don't run into each other, the guitars play off each other extremely well, Julian sounds more interested than First Impressions of Earth, and Fab and Nick continue to provide transcendent rhythm. Angles has a huge 80's throwback feel throughout and the Strokes execute it with expert precision. The melodies and chord progressions flow so smoothly throughout the album, while the patented Valensi and Hammond Jr. solos strike cleanly and flawlessly. If you are looking for Is this it? you will be disappointed but if you listen to Angles without pre-conceived judgment and expectations you will be rewarded. Listen as if you're listening to a new band; forget the past hype, forget the old albums, open your mind and this will become on of you're favorite albums, guaranteed. Expand
  30. Mar 28, 2011
    8
    When I first popped this cd into my car I wanted to like it, I was desperate to like it! But... I just didn't. So I went home, turned the TV off, put away all distractions and just listened, truly listened. Wouldn't ya guess that this album grew on me like a wart. It spread through my body like a deadly disease, and I was hooked on Angles. After a long five year hiatus, The Strokes areWhen I first popped this cd into my car I wanted to like it, I was desperate to like it! But... I just didn't. So I went home, turned the TV off, put away all distractions and just listened, truly listened. Wouldn't ya guess that this album grew on me like a wart. It spread through my body like a deadly disease, and I was hooked on Angles. After a long five year hiatus, The Strokes are back at full strength with what some may argue their best album yet. Angles soars over previous albums Room on Fire and First Impressions of Earth in every imaginable way: lyrically, instrumentally and in general song writing.
    Many expected this album to return to the roots of Is This It, and Angles often does, with great tracks such as Undercover of Darkness and Taken for a Fool for example. But many other songs venture back to times of FIoE, Youre so Right and Metabolism for example, while songs like Call Me Back and Machu Pichu evoke complete new elements for The Strokes. Almost all of these songs hit hard and leave an impact (Taken for a Fool and Gratisfaction being the best examples), while songs like Two Kinds of Happiness and Metabolism are largely uneffective. This album is the first joint effort from the boys. While everyone truly tries their hardest to write songs, Jules (Life is Simple in the Moonlight) and Nick (Taken for a Fool) are the writers who truly impress.
    In the end, this is a great album, and a couple mediocre tracks stop it from being their best. While it doesn't live up to Is This It, it sure comes close, and is a must buy album.
    Expand
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 41 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 41
  2. Negative: 1 out of 41
  1. May 10, 2011
    60
    The result is mixed and at times strained, but a spark still lies within.
  2. 60
    When all is said and done, Angles could make for an exciting introduction to a new chapter for The Strokes, or it could be a disappointing swan song.
  3. Q Magazine
    May 2, 2011
    80
    Angles fits 10 songs into a brisk 34 minutes and doesn't waste time gunning for gravitas. [Apr 2011, p.92]