No, this isn't Julian Casablancas. He looks very much like him though, which confused us mightily as the real one was singing 'Heart in a Cage' on the main stage at the time.

From what we've heard of it, the Strokes's third album promises to be a goodie: it's strong, characterful and prowling. They've come on so much since the addicttive but loose 'Is This It?' in 2001 and are now showing that the louche confidence they've always had is thoroughly deserved. The tunes aren't as disposable as they have been in the past: there's more crunch and less superfluous jangle. Crikey, now that's a phrase we've always been dying to use...