Audio By Carbonatix
A simple, straightforward, bullshit-free piece of work. That’s what Lisbon, The Walkmen’s upcoming album, sounds like. These post-punk rejectionists were formed in the muck and mayhem of the garage-rock revival, along with a slew of other “the” bands — namely that quintet who were dubbed the saviors of rock: The Strokes. Both broke out with memorable singles early in their careers. The Strokes had “Last Nite” and, a little later, The Walkmen had “The Rat.” “Last Nite” is all apathy, a stumbling Julian Casablancas, and guitar riffs, while “The Rat” is pure rage, with Hamilton Leithauser pointedly sing-yelling, “You’ve got a nerve.” The Walkmen have carried that intensity throughout the band’s history, and it is reflected in their output. The rock press worshipped The Strokes from day one, but The Walkmen had to build an organically slow and steady momentum, like a drunkard preparing to slide off his barstool with whatever grace he can muster. The Strokes are reeling as they try to finish and deliver their fourth record of the past decade. Meanwhile, The Walkmen have finally slid off that proverbial barstool with Lisbon, their sixth record, and they’re walking steadily toward what’s been a long time coming.
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