For a clue to understanding upstarts The Strokes, consider that they are the darlings of the British music press, who have been salivating over them recently as the latest, greatest salvation of rock �n�E roll. In resurrecting the various styles of their New York underground, The Strokes are undeniable experts. Singer Julian Casablancas (whose father heads the Elite modeling agency) is at times a dead ringer for Lou Reed, while at other times The Strokes recall the �E0s proto-punk of bands like Television or the �E0s post-punk of Sonic Youth. In fact, seldom do The Strokes sound markedly different from anything you have heard before. But derivativeness aside, they do have a certain youthful strut and attitude that makes you wish you were 17 and pissed off at the world again, with no greater desires than a new leather jacket and Fender guitar.


NEW ORDER/Get Ready
(Reprise)

The eight years since New Order�s last album, Republic, just seem to melt away in the first few minutes of this long-awaited release. But they are obviously glad to be back, with full on, joyous rock guitar pumping up their usual edginess. �Crystal,�Ethe opener, is a classic, with Bernard Sumner and Co. picking up where they left off in 1993. New Order albums have always been a bit hit or miss, but this is their most consistent to date. Billy Corgan helps out on �Turn My Way�Eand Primal Scream�s Bobby Gillespie adds some necessary sleaze on �Rock the Shack,�Ebut this is very much their own album. �I�ve done it before and I�ll do it again,�Esings Sumner on the excellent �Primitive Notion.�EYou can�t argue with that. Peter Courtney


GRANT-LEE PHILLIPS/Mobilize
(Zoi/Rounder)

Grant Lee Buffalo were known for their natural melodies that offered an organized resistance to the systemized machine of government, industry and hypocrisy-a band that was one of the few that could write a genuine protest song without slamming their peers. After their demise, ex-lead vocalist Grant-Lee Phillips freed himself of this anti-establishment message. Phillips is free to explore himself, not the Buffalo. The album even symbolically opens with the exploratory "See America." Set loose, Phillips diversifies his vision with guitar and catchy pop beats that accompany but do not compete with his vocals. True fans might be turned off by the industrial sound of the title track, "Mobilize," but rest assured it only amplifies his continued struggle. "A secret battlefield lies within you/War is the cost of fighting off the truth." Ryan Hart