Walkmen Break Out

On their debut album Everyone Who Pretended to Like Me is Gone, The Walkmen demonstrate that they have created a sound that is both consonant with the music of fellow New York rockers The Strokes and also distinctly different. Although the guitar-laden hooks on "Revenge Wears No Wristwatch" and lead singer Hamilton Leithauser's scratchy vocals may sound like that other New York band, The Walkmen's richly textured, piano-driven melodies quickly dismiss such comparisons.

On "They're Winning" and the title track, echoing melodies serve as a background to showcase the band's musical prowess, revealed through experimental guitar and drum riffs. However, although such compositions incorporate Leithauser's vocals into the backdrop, other songs use atmospheric yet simplistic instrumentation as a venue for introspective, observational lyrics. Such is the case on cuts such as "Stop Talking," "That's the Punch Line" and the ironically titled "I'm Never Bored." Elsewhere on the album, the band's oscillating music appropriately illustrates the highs and lows of everyday struggles depicted by the lyrics.

Nonetheless, although The Walkmen have created an album replete with inventive, interesting compositions, as with all experiments, there are some undesirable results. Pianist Paul Maroon's piano melodies can be downright maddening in their monotony, and Leithauser's voice occasionally sounds strained. These sonic irritations can be enough to make the casual listener abandon this album for something a little more mainstream. However, Everyone Who Pretended to Like Me Is Gone still features music and lyrics intricate enough to warrant repeated listens--even after those who pretend to like The Walkmen's current scene are gone.