For the first visual representation of their new album, the music video for Angles’ lead single “Under Cover of Darkness,†The Strokes blew open the rental-tux budget. The clip kicks off with the gang in various takes on evening formal-wear, sternly rocking through the jam in something that resembles an abandoned opera house. Only Julian Casablancas gets to keep his leather-jacket-and-sunglasses everyday-outfit, which is more appropriate for his acting-out: tossing the mic stand, spilling water from a fancy goblet all over the floor, generally walking around like he doesn’t care about much at all, etc. But, oh, he falls in line: for the big musical finale, held on the still-abandoned opera house’s stage, Casablancas changes into a tux of his own, and now all of a sudden all five guys are matched up and smiling and totally in sync. A reference to past troubles that were put aside during the recording of Angles? Or a statement on Julian’s slovenly wardrobe? You be the judge!
