“The Strokes' fifth album is more immediately appealing than their last two records as they sound like they’re genuinely trying here, and having fun. At times it feels like a mixtape the Strokes made for themselves: 11 songs, 11 different genre experiments.”
“It's not totally clear why the Strokes make albums, is it? They don't seem to enjoy it much, and they aren't exactly bursting with innovative musical ideas that demand to be let loose. Yet the records aren't worthless – far from it. Comedown Machine is basically a solo trip for singer Julian Casablancas, showing yet again how much he respects Eighties New Wave. Why is Comedown Machine an official ”
“The Strokes continue to search for different sounds on this latest album of theirs, but it doesn't seem they're that picky about what the end product sounds like. The fact they sound "different" is what seems to take precedent.”
