As the hype finally settles, it's increasingly clear that The Strokes don't want to save the rock universe, they just want to cruise the Lower East Side. The simplicity of their punk grooves is deceptive — they work hard to sound effortless — but that's to their credit. And the affectation of Julian Casablancas' world-weariness is slowly beginning to sound like character.
Best Tracks: "Under Control," "Between Love & Hate."
Epic times call for epic art, and nothing moved us more than The Return of the King. Other things we loved: Louis Vuitton, William Boyd and BBC's The Office And to the Atlanta group OutKast, we say "Stank you very much!"