When approaching side-project, CRX, spear-headed by Strokes guitar player Nick Valensi and produced by Queens of the Stone Age’s Josh Homme, one would expect a pretty loud outcome from their collaboration. But while the release includes some of that, it is largely a pop record, including a smattering of handclaps and tambourines. Highlights of the record include the tracks “Anything” and “On Edge.” Valensi’s guitar chops are evident, but not overused. The production value lives up to Homme’s previous work (Eagles of Death Metal, Arctic Monkeys), but the songs could somehow have used a little more freshness.
Score: 7.5 out of 10
CRX
New Skin
Columbia Records
Producer: Joshua Homme
