Time To Get Stroked

One of the best indicators of rock and roll value is the photographer Pennie Smith. She has given us immortal images of Led Zeppelin, The Clash, The Stone Roses and The Manics. And in 2001 she had decided that there was a new chapter in the story: The Strokes.

She saw a band with a sense of collective mission, and her images reflected this. They were a bit scruffy and nonchalant, but also very sharp. The classic paradox, patented by Elvis, The Stones and Dylan. The essence of their cool would take thousands of words to explain, but Pennie's photos revealed it. The Strokes knew how to stand at a street corner, with their heads just so. There was poetry in their scuffed jackets and in their old sneakers. And happily, the music was also tremendous.

My own defining moment was the sight of The Strokes on Ormeau Avenue, Belfast, just ahead of the Limelight gig. They looked immaculate and self-possessed and there was a generational change that night. Rock and roll had a chance to be important again.

Every time I saw them after this, their stature seemed to diminish. Sure, they were selling more records, staying at fine hotels and were feted in the fashion magazines. But their faces were getting jaded, the clothes were mannered and the music went off.

Now there's a new single, 'Under Cover Of Darkness'. They are done with the solo records, some personal issues have been figured out and apparently they are now working as a collective. The record is half familiar although the vocals are rather odd, as if Julian's been taking lessons. They took 100 000 views of YouTube in the day it appeared, an indicator of just how much we're yearning for something substantial and true. Unfortunately, this ain't it.