Everyone Who Pretended To Like Me Is Gone by The Walkmen

2002 | Metal | Pop | Rock

Containing three former members of much-lamented New York buzz band Jonathan Fire Eater, who self-destructed before striking gold, the Walkmen seem determined not to repeat past mistakes. They marked their return with an unassuming self-titled EP and spent a meandering year on the club circuit before properly breaking this, their first full-length album, with a song loaned out to a car commercial. "Sometimes I'm just happy I'm older," sings Hamilton Leithasuer over the rolling, toy piano melody of "We've Been Had." While on the brittle, angular "Revenge Wears No Wristwatch," he whines, "I've heard it all before / I've had it up to here." But for all the dashed expectations and lingering regret, the Walkmen still look unblinkingly forward. The music here is intense and inventive, combining garage rock, cabaret pomp, and carnival melodies, while still sounding oddly tuneful. Fans of U2 and the Cure should investigate the Walkmen. --Aidin Vaziri

The Walkmen (Artist/Musician)