Comedown Machine
by The Strokes
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Mar 26, 2013
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 276 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 227 out of 276
  2. Mixed: 35 out of 276
  3. Negative: 14 out of 276
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  1. frightopia
    Apr 1, 2023
    9
    I'm thoroughly impressed by this album, it could be my favorite one so far!
  2. zenvoid
    Aug 1, 2022
    10
    This is probably my favourite Strokes album. Their earlier and later works are more upbeat while CM is pretty calm and laid back. Maybe that's why I love it so much.

    68 metacritic, excuse me, what?
  3. marglza
    Jul 16, 2022
    10
    no entiendo el hate, yo los amo, sería mi álbum favorito de los strokes de no ser por tna
  4. TheRightReview
    Jul 11, 2022
    7
    Sure it's no Is This It or Room on Fire, but that doesn't mean it's an awful album. It's an interesting album, considering it somehow sounds nothing like the Stokes while sounding exactly like them at the same time.
  5. karolg11
    Apr 17, 2022
    10
    es mi álbum favorito de los strokes, pero dejando de lado el aprecio sentimental que le tengo me parece que tiene canciones y ritmos muy frescos que para la época fueron muy innovadores. Julián se luce con las notas altas y los riffs de guitarras increíbles como siempre. básicamente, un álbum infravalorado.
  6. Kheppri
    Oct 7, 2020
    10
    Coming in 2020 to say that this is a record so ahead of it's original time. Julian takes the true essence of 80's pop/rock and mix it with The Strokes sonority in an almost a perfect way. Today we can see a lot of artists searching for this kind of sound not only in rock but in other genre's too (like Tyler, The Creator with Igor from 2019, The Weeknd with After Hours, 2020 and numerousComing in 2020 to say that this is a record so ahead of it's original time. Julian takes the true essence of 80's pop/rock and mix it with The Strokes sonority in an almost a perfect way. Today we can see a lot of artists searching for this kind of sound not only in rock but in other genre's too (like Tyler, The Creator with Igor from 2019, The Weeknd with After Hours, 2020 and numerous new bands, coming from bedroom pop or alternative music), Julian and the band have done back there in 2013. Every sond it's very well produced and it is so sad to see people calling "ugly" some songs just because they don't comprehend or properly "likes" how a different production sound. Other people keep insisting to compare this album with the previous ones, in a hope for a repetitive 2004 Strokes, and I'm glad to let you who search for it know that you'll be frustrate, this is a total different work from a band looking for changing the production and the way that they make their music. If you're interested in something different, nostalgic and new in their discography, congratulations, you found it!… Expand
  7. EmilianoxMQ
    Jul 27, 2020
    10
    Really love the sound and the old feeling. Lyrics and low rhythm here is amazing.
  8. imthenoob
    Apr 15, 2020
    7
    I think Comedown Machine continues the evolution musically while also providing fans with a taste of the old-style as well. You can't rehash the same stuff over and over again without becoming stale so I appreciate them continuing to push their music in new directions. For the most part, It works. Comedown Machine is a pretty solid album.
  9. davidpaulmesa
    Apr 6, 2020
    10
    Comedown Machine is the most interesting to listen to at times, but falls flat at others. However, it opens with Tap Out, Wich is the best opener on a Strokes album. It definitely isn't my least favorite album, but it falls in the bottom two.
  10. drongodan
    Apr 1, 2020
    8
    Better than their previous but still way off their best. Fave tracks 80s comedown machine & Welcome to Japan
  11. MoralSupport
    May 23, 2018
    8
    Okay, this album is not what we've come to know as "The Strokes" It's dorky, nerdy, and a mixtape of The Strokes just messing around. Yet, this is refreshing in many ways. First Impressions and Angles had glowing flaws that were hard to overcome. This album has none such flaws. It is not their beast, by a long shot, and the songs on here aren't epic or life changing, but after waiting forOkay, this album is not what we've come to know as "The Strokes" It's dorky, nerdy, and a mixtape of The Strokes just messing around. Yet, this is refreshing in many ways. First Impressions and Angles had glowing flaws that were hard to overcome. This album has none such flaws. It is not their beast, by a long shot, and the songs on here aren't epic or life changing, but after waiting for The Strokes to attain some level of cohesion and order since Room On Fire, it's nice to see that they've succeeded. And that's enough for me. Highlights of this album are All the Time and Slow Animals, with Partners in Crime being a phenomenal listen as well.… Expand
  12. BooshAC
    Nov 22, 2017
    9
    For a long time Comedown Machine was my least favourite Strokes album, but with each passing listen my enjoyment and appreciation for the album increases to the point where this may now be my favourite so far. This is an extremely original and unique album, which goes to brand new places for the band without forgetting their past. The album is also perhaps the most rewarding to listenFor a long time Comedown Machine was my least favourite Strokes album, but with each passing listen my enjoyment and appreciation for the album increases to the point where this may now be my favourite so far. This is an extremely original and unique album, which goes to brand new places for the band without forgetting their past. The album is also perhaps the most rewarding to listen through out of all of their albums. It's probably the least immediately accessible out of of the band's records, but once it breaks through you will find yourself listening more and more.

    Best tracks: Slow Animals, 80's Comedown Machine, One Way Trigger

    Worst track: 50/50    … Expand
  13. simodo79
    Apr 11, 2017
    9
    This is definitely The Strokes' best album. Eleven interesting, original, extremely well-produced songs.
    The quality of the songwriting is consistent throughout the whole album, unlike in the previous ones, which used to alternate masterworks with neglectable tracks.
  14. ToffeeBoy
    Mar 29, 2017
    7
    Some really cohesive, catchy and new-wave flavoured, classic strokes songs on here such as:
    "Tap Out", "Welcome To Japan" and "Partners In Crime". There are also some eery and atmospheric cuts on here like "80's Comedown Machine" and "Call it Fate Call It Karma". An interesting track is "50/50" which is a more punky and aggressive strokes song, but it seems to fit in the album quite    Some really cohesive, catchy and new-wave flavoured, classic strokes songs on here such as:
    "Tap Out", "Welcome To Japan" and "Partners In Crime". There are also some eery and atmospheric cuts on here like "80's Comedown Machine" and "Call it Fate Call It Karma". An interesting track is "50/50" which is a more punky and aggressive strokes song, but it seems to fit in the album quite nicely. There are a couple of slow burners available too, such as "Slow Animals, "Chances" and "Happy Ending". Finally, there are a couple of fillers to bulk out the tracklist here to, in "One Way Trigger" and "All The Time".

    *Some really good tracks here and the album provides a lot of diversity, new wave, punk, ballad etc.
    *Julian's vocals prove to be the biggest flaw of the album, singing out of range & a poor falsetto.
    *Lyrically the album is subtle and tidy, overall very strong.
    *FAVE TRACK: "Tap Out" and "Welcome To Japan". (9/10 songs)
    *WORST TRACK: "All The Time" (5/10 song)

    RATING SCORE:
    1. Tap Out = 9/10
    2. All The Time = 5/10
    3. One Way Trigger = 6/10
    4. Welcome To Japan = 9/10
    5. 80's Comedown Machine = 8/10
    6. 50/50 = 8/10
    7. Slow Animals = 7/10
    8. Partners In Crime = 8/10
    9. Chances = 7/10
    10. Happy Ending = 7/10
    11. Call It Fate, Call It Karma = 7/10

    OVERALL ALBUM SCORE = 7.4 out of 10.    … Expand
  15. triple_co
    Mar 28, 2017
    8
    This Strokes album will always be the 'difficult' one of the bands discography, awkward and understated, seemingly falling under the radar as much as is possible from such a big group. With no real advertisement and pushed out at the end of a five-album contract, it's easy to dismiss this as an unnecessary and bland project that even the band did not vocally back with confidence.

    But to    This Strokes album will always be the 'difficult' one of the bands discography, awkward and understated, seemingly falling under the radar as much as is possible from such a big group. With no real advertisement and pushed out at the end of a five-album contract, it's easy to dismiss this as an unnecessary and bland project that even the band did not vocally back with confidence.

    But to do so would be to miss out on what is genuinely an entertaining and well-put-together LP. When it's taken out of context, away from the ever-present dominance of their first two efforts, there are a lot of good moments on here. The opener 'Tap Out' is a great track to kick things off and introduce us to the slick, stripped-back sounds that pepper the rest of the album. From there, 'One Way Trigger' kicks things up a notch, only to be quietened down by the laid-back vocals of 'Welcome To Japan'. Other moments like 'Chances' show a softer, sadder side to the Strokes, and it finishes on an obscure note with 'Call It Fate, Call It Karma'.

    This is not the pinnacle of The Strokes achievements, artistically or otherwise. But it is absolutely worth your time and opens up new dialogue about the possibilities of this New York five-piece and the direction they look to take in the future. There is a lot to get lost in with 'Comedown Machine', the anomaly of the Strokes back catalogue.    … Expand
  16. orlnxn
    Jul 24, 2016
    8
    Pretty good sound and vocals, a very different style but i like the rhythm and lyrics of the songs.
    And for my opinion this is my favorite album of the strokes.
  17. JoaquinMR
    Jan 16, 2015
    8
    For starters, I really need to say that I really liked the album, but some parts is like reading a really good book with the chapters mixed, it loses meaning and sometimes even sense, but there is still something awesome in there that is just hard to identify. With that said:

    The Strokes have been playing for a long time, and it just seems at this point that Julian is tired of doing the    For starters, I really need to say that I really liked the album, but some parts is like reading a really good book with the chapters mixed, it loses meaning and sometimes even sense, but there is still something awesome in there that is just hard to identify. With that said:

    The Strokes have been playing for a long time, and it just seems at this point that Julian is tired of doing the same thing, going into so many different projects, always trying to change the sound of The Strokes, it's expected for people to be disappointed; they have mocked in many song their success and how unreachable the expectations for them seemed. Although I do love The Strokes and their albums are the ones that I've listened the must in my life, I can't agree with what they are doing as of now, they are trying really hard to not please the critics that want an imitation of "Is This It", to stay real to themselves and be the mischievous children of rock that will never please Papa Critic, but in all this mess, it really seems that they have lost sight of what they want to make. Angles was a really unexpected album that at first didn't sounds like The Strokes at all, but after listening to it a few times I truly began enjoying it, I really felt that they were exploring their musical range and trying new things and ended up making something refreshing and good (which is not easy), but in Comedown Machine it really sounds like they didn't know what they were looking for, trying to be new but not so new, classy but modern, realistic but surreal, expected but unexpected, it just seems like they were a dog chasing it's tail without even knowing how it's tail looks, when they think they've caught it they make a song, but then lost grasp of it and start looking for another tail thinking they are looking for the same one. I just think they should really decide in where they want to go with their music, instead of just trying to be mischievous and daring, but with The Strokes it's not easy to say where they are going with whatever they are doing.

    But overall, this album is still something great in my eyes, maybe it will still disappoint the people who are expecting a "This Is It 2", but it's still a really good piece of music for all the people who dare follow The Strokes as they travel into new genres and mixtures of sound. I can assure you that you won't be able to catch the essence of the album the first time you listen to it, cause it has a lot more than what meets the eye (ear in this case), so it's definitely worth your time.    … Expand
  18. MCRR
    Jan 10, 2015
    8
    A diverse album that rolls along at a strong pace. Less of that 'same guitar and same vocal effect' formula of earlier albums, this offering hosts heeps of sexy sounding shenanigans along the ride. Some great vocals, and as a band, as strong as ever. If your looking for The Strokes in their youth, then forget it. This is the matured version, the composed version, the all new sleek version,A diverse album that rolls along at a strong pace. Less of that 'same guitar and same vocal effect' formula of earlier albums, this offering hosts heeps of sexy sounding shenanigans along the ride. Some great vocals, and as a band, as strong as ever. If your looking for The Strokes in their youth, then forget it. This is the matured version, the composed version, the all new sleek version, the version that slaps you hard and say's we're back and don't forget it.
    Thank you please    … Expand
  19. MaxGuitarFan
    Jul 22, 2014
    8
    It's a strange record, but it's fun and great. It sounds like "Is This It?" as if it had been written in the 80's. Julian's voice really fits in the album, as he does falsetto here and there. If you liked Angels, you can't miss this one.
  20. Ricko
    Apr 4, 2014
    7
    Comedown Machine kind of continues on from where Angles left off, moving further away from the classic Strokes sound yet still containing enough elements to allow to recognise the band at the helm. Lead single "One Way Trigger" is one of the bands stranger singles and at times is unrecongisable as The Strokes with a guitar sound disguised with A-Ha type synth sounds. While it lacks aComedown Machine kind of continues on from where Angles left off, moving further away from the classic Strokes sound yet still containing enough elements to allow to recognise the band at the helm. Lead single "One Way Trigger" is one of the bands stranger singles and at times is unrecongisable as The Strokes with a guitar sound disguised with A-Ha type synth sounds. While it lacks a classic tracks such as "Under cover of Darkness", Comedown Machine is every bit as good an album as Angles, both of which fall well short of the stands set by the bands first 2 records but equally far exceed the bands lazy and jaded third album. Comedown Machine shows a little of invention and adventure which at this stage of the bands career is vital in order to keep anyones interest alive.… Expand
  21. ilderato
    Feb 15, 2014
    10
    Very very very very good album... Almost every song is a jewel but 'Chances' 'Tap out' and 'Karma' stand out. Best Strokes album, edging out First impressions my a smidgen. Keep going down this road Julian. It is super exciting!!
  22. jaden_s
    Nov 12, 2013
    10
    The main problem with this album is that it's constantly being compared to Is This It and Room on Fire. Next to them, this album looks off beat and strange, but we have to take into consideration that the band has been tired of playing formulaic post-punk for almost a decade now. Objectively, I see this as potentially being one of the top-100 albums of 2010-19. Julian's unique falsetto andThe main problem with this album is that it's constantly being compared to Is This It and Room on Fire. Next to them, this album looks off beat and strange, but we have to take into consideration that the band has been tired of playing formulaic post-punk for almost a decade now. Objectively, I see this as potentially being one of the top-100 albums of 2010-19. Julian's unique falsetto and the way the vocals blend into the music as opposed to taking the focal and the synths that sound like 80's with a modern breath make this a wonderful record, so long as you don't go in with the expectations of The Strokes famous post-punk spunk.… Expand
  23. RileyWRussell
    Nov 11, 2013
    10
    As with Angels, its a CD I can sit around and listen to from start to finish without ever getting tired out it. I'm not sure why I didn't review better. If you're a Strokes fan this is exactly what you'd expect as the next step from this band.
  24. emboba
    Jul 30, 2013
    10
    I love this album, some songs completely keep to their original style "50/50 and Welcome To Japan." While others go in bold new directions that were previewed in angles "One Way Trigger and 80 's Comedown Machine." The rest are somewhere in between and are all great!
  25. ZacharyMatson
    Jun 19, 2013
    9
    Comedown Machine has been receiving fair critical praise and has been said to be "their best work since Is This It." Now if you ask me, I think The Strokes are one of the greatest bands of this generation and will go down along with Radiohead, Vampire Weekend as this generations greatest contributors to music. I also think that all of The Strokes albums have been masterpieces, none fallComedown Machine has been receiving fair critical praise and has been said to be "their best work since Is This It." Now if you ask me, I think The Strokes are one of the greatest bands of this generation and will go down along with Radiohead, Vampire Weekend as this generations greatest contributors to music. I also think that all of The Strokes albums have been masterpieces, none fall short to me. So I may be a little bias giving this review, what with me having a gigantic boner for Julian and the boys, but regardless, this album is perfection.… Expand
  26. antonijames
    Jun 15, 2013
    8
    Angles was completely different from anything The Strokes had ever done before, but now that Comedown Machine is out it's all clear why Angles was how it was. The Strokes had gone in a totally new direction with Angles, and that being their first time, was an alright approach. Comedown Machine is the direction they truly aimed to go though. The sound on Comedown is a bridge between theirAngles was completely different from anything The Strokes had ever done before, but now that Comedown Machine is out it's all clear why Angles was how it was. The Strokes had gone in a totally new direction with Angles, and that being their first time, was an alright approach. Comedown Machine is the direction they truly aimed to go though. The sound on Comedown is a bridge between their early stuff and Angles, forming a crisp, catchy new look on the band's style of playing. A pretty great homage to some of the 80's catchy tunes.… Expand
  27. le_one
    May 21, 2013
    9
    Listen to "Slow Animals", "Chances", "Happy Ending", "Tap Out", "Welcome to Japan"... You know what? Listen to the whole thing! It's amazing and the only track you might want to skip will be the last one, and that just because you'd feel like "Happy Ending" would be a much better... Ending! Their best album since "Is This It". With their first album, they brought us back the best of rockListen to "Slow Animals", "Chances", "Happy Ending", "Tap Out", "Welcome to Japan"... You know what? Listen to the whole thing! It's amazing and the only track you might want to skip will be the last one, and that just because you'd feel like "Happy Ending" would be a much better... Ending! Their best album since "Is This It". With their first album, they brought us back the best of rock and roll. Now they're bringing us back the best of pop music... You know what decade I'm talking about!… Expand
  28. wiredude
    May 16, 2013
    9
    To be honest, I was never a fan of the Strokes. I just wasn't on board for their brand of rock revival for some reason. However this new album I really enjoyed. I think his vocals are better served by the synth noises and electro beats that inhabit the sound here. If you love 80's new wave check it out.
  29. Mab_987
    Apr 19, 2013
    9
    I think it’s safe to say at this point that The Strokes can no longer be called “predictable”. On their new album Comedown Machine it’s clear that The Strokes are still uncompromising stylistically like what's been hinted at on their last couple albums. While this album does go in a bunch of directions, one thing I’ll say about it as a whole is that this is The Strokes at their mostI think it’s safe to say at this point that The Strokes can no longer be called “predictable”. On their new album Comedown Machine it’s clear that The Strokes are still uncompromising stylistically like what's been hinted at on their last couple albums. While this album does go in a bunch of directions, one thing I’ll say about it as a whole is that this is The Strokes at their most soulfuost soulful. Which is kinda weird considering singer Julian Casablancas’ distinctly apathetic vocal approach he trademarked in their past work, which was honestly a gripe I had with some of it. But here he’s gotten a bit more expressive and it can really compliment certain songs. The instrumentation’s been amped up in that department too; opener Tap Out has a pretty R&B-influenced groove running throughout, and Welcome to Japan, dare I say, borders on disco (which sounds a lot better than you’d expect The Strokes doing disco to sound). But that’s (like I said) not the only direction they go in on this album. The first taste we got from it was an odd number called One Way Trigger. It’s got acoustic guitars, synths high in the mix, and Casablancas singing in falsetto, which is practically unheard off in the Strokes catalog. Needless to say it was very polarizing. But I really liked it; it's catchy & showed that their recent experimental approach was no fluke. Next taste & lead single All the Time on the contrary is very reminiscent of classic Strokes circa 2003. It’s basically to this album what Under Cover of Darkness was to Angles; a nice little throwback that’s engaging & doesn't come off as an uninspired & desperate attempt to keep older fans happy. But my favorite song here is probably 80s Comedown Machine, a gorgeous 5-minute track that sounds inspired by modern dream-pop bands like Beach House. It’s got a steady & dreamy groove throughout driven by reverb-tinged guitar picking leads & a restrained & unusually emotional vocal performance from Casablancas. It puts you in a very relaxed state of mind & leaves you wanting to play it again & again. A similar feel is successfully shot for on Chances, which is a bit bigger-sounding, has a more defined structure & shows the return of that infamous falsetto, which I think Casablancas pulls off quite well. Other styles delved into include energetic punk rock (50/50), mid-tempo indie rock (Slow Animals), synth-tinged early 80’s classic rock (Partners in Crime), dance-rock chock full of handclap goodness (Happy Ending) & a surprisingly lo-fi closing track in Call It Fate, Call It Karma, a percussionless & reverb-laden track I can see on a vinyl record spinning on a turntable in the background of a 1940’s B-movie. One thing that rings clear throughout all songs here though is that lead guitarist Albert Hammond Jr. has by this point pretty much mastered the art of the infectious guitar riff. And even the melodies presented in the solos get stuck in your head. There’s also a tight rhythm section running through this album that can really keep a groove going. I really have no gripes with this album. It represents everything I wanted in a follow-up to Angles; The Strokes just doing whatever they want & not giving a crap who likes it & who doesn't.

    Top 5 tracks: 80s Comedown Machine, One Way Trigger, All the Time, Tap Out, Partners in Crime
    Score: 95/100    … Expand
  30. TheFriedMan
    Apr 10, 2013
    10
    How do I know a rock record is worth a listen? Pitchfork trashes it. The Strokes are not cool anymore and this obvious to anyone with a Vice subscription and some sharply styled oxfords. But who cares what's cool? This is a very good record. The 80's synth pop/new wave influence is obvious but it's layered on top of the Strokes sound of old. Casablancas has evolved his vocals and atHow do I know a rock record is worth a listen? Pitchfork trashes it. The Strokes are not cool anymore and this obvious to anyone with a Vice subscription and some sharply styled oxfords. But who cares what's cool? This is a very good record. The 80's synth pop/new wave influence is obvious but it's layered on top of the Strokes sound of old. Casablancas has evolved his vocals and at first I wasn't vibing all of his different stylings on the record...it was a little too all over the place. But after a few listens I realized that it fits with the songs well, and it wasn't done simply for the sake of diversity. He pulls it off. The rest of the band comes as expected if not surprisingly good and the song writing is the best its been in awhile. I can highly recommend this record to anyone who enjoys a good pop/rock record. Give it a couple of listens all the way through because it took a few times for it to really sink just how good it is.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

26
#26 Most Discussed Album of 2013
59
#59 Most Shared Album of 2013

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 45 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 45
  2. Mixed: 22 out of 45
  3. Negative: 0 out of 45
  1. Classic Rock Magazine
    Jun 21, 2013
    40
    For all the loving homages to past recording techniques, they sound laboured and bored. [May 2013, p.84]
  2. Record Collector
    Jun 4, 2013
    40
    It’s wilful experimentation with no pay-off, sounding lonely, old, with only the occasional, tempting flicker of a genius that once burnt bright.
    Read full review
  3. Magnet
    May 10, 2013
    75
    Comedown Machine may not quite hit the heights of the band's masterpiece-to-date, but it continues the band's healthy trend of finding curious new ways to twist and complicate its by-now instinctively recognizable sound. [No. 98, p.60]
See all critic reviews »