Along with the obligatory inter-band tension, drug-fuelled mayhem and rehab stints, there have also been one or two unconvincing creative detours. As powerful a moment as it undoubtedly was, on Reality Awaits, The Stokes wisely forgo an album of barbed political commentary à la Gang Of Four or The Pop Group. Instead, recording in Costa Rica with Rick Rubin – who provides satisfyingly crisp production – the band largely play to their strengths. AdvertisementHaving said all that, there the kind of idiosyncratic flourishes The Strokes have become increasingly fond over the years. For a start, Casablancas vocals are almost entirely Autotuned – which doesn’t always pay dividends – and the songs have occasional unorthodox sections that are quirky for quirky’s sake.