Is This It
The Strokes
You have to laugh. Being a New Yorker myself, I can only stand back and snigger when I see the music press proudly proclaiming how amazing New York is suddenly only to watch two weeks later as they then shout "New York? That was so last week - it's Detroit now!" What's going on here? New York has always been chock full of great bands (as has Detroit, by the way) and let's be honest - it's always been a rock and roll town (hip-hop notwithstanding by the way because we all know about that scene!). Now then, let me set the record straight. Just because some music journalist decides that New York is super hip this year does not mean that suddenly tons of great bands just popped up where there were none before. Rudy Gulliani may have clamped down hard on the club scene, but then again putting The Strokes in the same league as club kids at Twilo wouldn't really work now, would it?
But that's all academic.
At the centre of this big mess of NYC coolness are our good friends: The Strokes. Undoubtably, one of the most over-hyped bands of this year, if not the past five. Now I'm someone who firmly believes that where there's smoke, there's usually fire. And where there's fire, I feel it's usually best to have a fire extinguisher in hand, ready to smother any flames of hype before they get too big and begin hurting innocent bystanders.
The problem with the Strokes is that overhyped or not, they really are worthy of great praise. Formed around 1995 or so, they spent a few years playing the tried and tested Manhattan club circuit until finally coming up with a 3 track demo. That demo eventually made it to the offices of Rough Trade, where, well, the rest is history, innit? Everything about the band - from the songwriting (Taking all the best elements of The Stooges, Television and The Velvet Underground not as theft but as influence) to the lyrics ("New York City Cops" - enough said) to the production (as raw and indie as you can get) is just fantastic. There's no real pretence (ok, they're all privileged white kids, but nobody's counting) or ulterior motive. They just do what they do and my God, do they do it well, in this really weird Warhol-esque way.
Listening to Is This It reminds me very much that The Strokes could have been in an episode of Star Trek where Captain Kirk and company find a record that's been transported back from the back shelves of a record store in the early 80s to the future (read: 'Bleeker Bobs' or 'It's Only Rock and Roll' all you newly converted NYC aficionados). Then Kirk turns to Spock and remarks on how it perfectly captures the spirit and sound of the city during that time. That's only logical - that record comes from that time and place, Spock would say.
But The Strokes are not from 1977 or 1981 or 1984. They are from 2001 and that's what makes them so unique. One listen to "Hard to Explain", and I guarantee you'll be singing it in your head for weeks. The same goes for "New York City Cops", "The Modern Age", "Barely Legal"...let's just say the whole damn album, while were at it, shall we? New York has always had a plethora of fantastic rock bands and you simply can't deny that The Stokes are a hell of a great band. Do yourself a favour and forget everything you read. Forget everything that comes out of the bands mouths. Forget you've even heard about them. Just get this CD as if you knew nothing about them, put it on your stereo, turn the volume all the way up and just........ listen. Don't believe the hype - they really are that good.
Reviewed by Olli Siebelt
This was really underwhelming the first time around. It's grown on me quite a bit since then, though. Also, awesome artwork.
I've just listened this album after one-year break. It's still mindblowing.
The UK cover is cool, but I much prefer the US one. It suits their overall futuristic style; and plus, this album is like a big bang of modern rock, inspiring tons of bands.
piece of art [2]
The arse is back!
We want the arse back!
I was obsessed over this and Room on Fire when I was 13/14. In many ways they'll miss the good old days indeed.
Trying Your Luck <3
<3
:D love em
I LOVE THIS ALBUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!♥
Hey man, just take it or leave it.
who dares change THE ass [2]
who dares change THE ass
dreamy
the original cover <3
masterpiece of 00s
piece of art
Their best. It's all downhill from here (for them).
Masterpiece.
The world thanks you, Macducci
The original cover backs, thanks to me
WE WANT THE ORIGINAL COVER BACK, PLEASE!
Who was the son of a bitch who took the ASS?????????????????
where's the ass?
And I like the ass [3]
And I like the ass. +1
And I like the ass.
My second favourite album and the best of the 21st centuary!
best album of the world
Maybe not a masterpiece, but come on guys ALL songs on this album are fucking good. And that means a lot.
Лучший альбом этого века:)
I like it ^^
Used to adore this album back in the day. Listening to it again is reminding me why. A classic.
best indie-anything album of the decade. i can say this truthfully because i hate indie for the most part
superb fucking album. shame its had tacks cut out on spotify ><
i fucking love this album!
10000000000000000000000/1000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
This album kick ass! Best album from the last decade.
This album is fuckin' overrated! Sure, it hit some nerve back in the day it came out, but whoever calls this album "masterpiece" or "best album", i don't know... this person can't be serious. No doubt it's a good album with really good songs, it's well structured and it even has some hits, but c'mon there is so much more exciting music out there. Oh, and anybody who compares them to The Stooges, well get yourself some education! Rock'n'Roll must be dirty and mean, powerful and full of sex, fast and still groovy! This just bores the shit outta me sometimes, so it goes right with my mood ;)
I bet it's a dude's armpit.
best cover ever [2]
10 years old?! Holy shit, time goes flying doesn't it?
overrated as fuck
best cover ever
It's a knee. It's not a knee. It's a butt. It's a knee. It's a potato.
One of the best things in our Universe
@Elephantasm when i imported my actual copy of this album not only did it include the "?" after is this it in the title it also spelled nite as "night". its not necessarily the fans fault. also these things can easily be overlooked
everlasting thing
their best album, this cover is hot