The Strokes’ leader, Julian Casablancas, loves this Brooklyn-based punk band so much that he signed them to his label and made sure they opened for The Strokes every chance they got. It’s easy to hear what made Casablancas such a fan on the band’s second studio album, Jaded and Faded. Produced by TV on the Radio’s David Sitek and mixed by pop producer David Kahne (The Bangles), the album features some of best guitar skrotches committed to tape. The guitar tone is massive, and when it's combined with a rhythm section that can do hardcore (“Parade of Idiots”) and everything in between, well, it’s obvious to anyone who remembers the punk scenes of the late ‘70s and ‘80s that this music needs to be preserved and exposed. There’s a pop sense under the aggression, but as with all great punk, the aggression is equally important. Songs like “City’s Girl,” “Lonely as America," and “Fast Food” (not a cover of The Blisters' rare 7”) maintain a correct balance throughout. Thirteen songs in 26 minutes is exactly how a punk album should play out: quick, to the point, and finished before your head can adjust.