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http://breakingnews.iol.ie/entertainment/the-strokes-making-album-in-singers-absence-451169.html

Ireland Online
The Strokes making album in singer's absence
24/03/2010



The Strokes are making their new album without singer Julian Casablancas.

The band are presently in the studio working on the follow up to their 2006 album ‘First Impressions Of Earth’, but are developing their tracks without Casablancas, who wrote all the tracks on the band’s three previous albums.

The singer said he is purposefully excluding himself from the initial recording process so he does not interfere too much.

He said: “I'm pretty opinionated. Nothing pushy to the point of it's my way or no way, but I'll hear a song and be like: 'Hmmm, it feels like the bass should be like something different'. Whereas if I feel like I wasn't in the room then they could just kind of spread their wings."

The singer is instead going to enter the studio later to lay down his vocals.

Describing what he expects the style of the record to be, he said: “It sounds more like the last record, but I might try to funk it up a little bit."

He also admitted the reason behind the band deciding to play a handful of festivals in the US and Europe this summer was financial.

Speaking on US TV he said: "Should I say the truth? Money. The offers were so crazy we had to say yes."

The Strokes’ fourth album is expected to be released in September.

Seems unselfish I suppose.

Amazing though that he has to literally REMOVE HIMSELF so as not to interfere. Playing without the singer, unless they have a scratch track vocalist to fill in, could be difficult for the band though.

A lot of bands record like that; Talking Heads members recorded all of the tracks for their album "Naked" in Paris without any vocals, with Byrne adding them later. In a way this forces the music to stand on its own, with the vocals adding the frosting on the cake.

I saw the Strokes after Julian had broken his leg; he sat in a chair and sang. I only bought their first album, but will be interested to hear how this new one sounds.

jimmydanger wrote:In a way this forces the music to stand on its own, with the vocals adding the frosting on the cake.

Maybe, but it could lead to problems if there is any creative impulse while recording. Cause some notes and even tones, could clash with the vocals, and stand out like a sore thumb. With a scratch track in the bank, you could see whether it works or not FOR SURE, right then and there.

I do like the idea that he is trying to give his bandmates some artistic license.

But I think you are right, "IF" the parts were already defined. Cause the vocals could actually unintentionally distract from the music being dead-on in the groove too.

Maybe it is a good method?

But I think ONLY if the parts are already set in stone.