Reviews (page 12 of 16)
Familiar with this record in full already but not as much as their other albums. I actually really enjoy their newest record probably the most so going all the way back to their first was a welcomed experience. The songs on this album remind me of a lot of sports video games I used to play when I was younger, like NHL, NFL, all had early Strokes stuff on em. Either way, I could listen to this many times over.
Okay, this has that peppy fun feel and to me is more of something I would listen to then yesterdays
obviously seems to be regarded as a seminal rock record, but to me it feels a bit uninteresting. there are some incredible lyrics and eardrilling melodies that worm their way into your brain (“Someday” and “Hard to Explain” being particular standouts), but as a whole Is This It doesn’t seem to completely earn the regard it’s been afforded.
Boring. Not a single song on there that I really liked minus Last Nite and I like that better by Weird Al
I drank some beers with Julian Casablancas once. Strange dude. 5/5
It's a stunner
Excellent! 4.5
The best strokes album
Strokin' it I was not. Spent the whole album waiting for last night. The songs M All sound the same.
Great album
One of Colins favorites
I don't get it. Mediocre riffs, average vocals, run-of-the-mill lyrics. Painfully mid. Sole highlight is them kinda clowning on the NYPD.
An alright listen, but nothing quite outstanding to me. Decent middle of the pack
I can see how they probably had fun writing and playing this but I find it a bit grating tonally.
I liked it better than I thought I would. Catchy, bouncy, and infinitely listenable.
Undeniable. We pirated this music, burned MP3s, traded music on MegaUpload and distributed it widely. All of us music nerds know rock and roll and indy music was on life support and the wider music world was stuck listening to bands like Korn, Linkin Park, System of a Down and Green Day before this broke. This was exciting. Some of us hated it immediately because it was successful, it wasn't indy enough, but the wider world appreciated the change and that sparked more unique NYC bands to be recognized. This music created a world that us 90's kids dreamed of, but weren't ready for and instead tried to look the other way. (Buddyhead, I'm talking to you) But it's undeniable. Like time, it ages, you age and the world keeps spinning and hindsight is 20/20. Today, this is easily available on Spotify and everything else is discoverable (even AI generated tracks ;). But I think the era that Is This It bloomed, was last physical movement in music, or indy music if you can call it that. Hopefully, you are able to be a paying member of your favorite music streaming service. Hopefully you still go out to see bands and hopefully are still part of the community. Hopefully you visit the merch bar, buy a t-shirt or vinyl and support the music you listen to. And, hopefully, you've discovered that if you pay for Spotify, you're entitled to 14 hours of audiobooks and have discovered Meet Me In the Bathroom, the book by Lizzie Goodman which can provide a much better interpretation of this era than I can... but if you haven't you can always stream the movie. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgHN-YE7IPI
I wasn't a huge Strokes fan. I always kind of got the impression that Julian Casablancas was pretentious and full of himself. I have no idea if that impression was at all justified, I just thought he gave off a bit of a vibe in what little I saw of him early in The Strokes’ career. Not to make his head even bigger, but I think The Strokes may have saved rock music. The Strokes broke through with “Is This It” in 2001 (the same year as The White Stripes “White Blood Cells” at a time when mainstream rock was in a downward spiral. The post-grunge years had left a void that was being quickly filled by edgier and edgier nu-metal and rap rock, and it looked like a bleak future dominated by the likes of Limp Bizkits, Korns, Slipknots, Papa Roaches, and Stainds. But along came The Strokes and The White Stripes, and the influence they had over the next 10 years of rock music can’t be understated. I wasn’t a huge Strokes fan, but listening to “Is This It” I could hear their fingerprints on the next decade-plus of rock music. The garage rock elements gave space to the less flashy and commercial White Stripes, Black Keys, and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. The jangly danceable guitars paved the way for Franz Ferdinand, Walk the Moon, Fun/Bleachers, and many more. The in-your-face old-school rocker stardom inspired The Libertines, Kings of Leon, and The Killers. I wasn’t a huge Strokes fan. But I knew this whole album. I didn’t follow them afterwards, but “Is This It” is undeniably catchy, pulsating, and well-crafted from start to finish. I’m not quite sure I can get behind “Barely Legal,” even when written by a 20-year-old, but every other song completely captures me and transports me back to the early 2000s, when in the midst of 9/11, Total Request Live, the Bush presidency, boy bands and Nickelback, The Strokes lit the way for rock bands in the 21st century. I’m sorry I thought you were all-ego, Casablancas - you and Albert Hammond, Jr. deserve all the accolades you received. It sounds hyperbolic, but I’m serious. Emerging rock artists may never again reach the commercial heights they did in the 90s, but great music abounds.
I remember this album cutting through the noise that was rock radio in early 2000s and being so refreshing.
Another wonderful discovery through the 1001. I’ve heard of The Strokes and Last Night or course, but I had never gone out of my way to listen to their music. And I’m glad I did. I’m in love with the lo-fi-ness of this album. The basement recording with minimal sound processing and imperfections included sounds enticingly gritty. The vocals sound like they were recorded from the output of a $50 amp. I don’t feel like there is a single track that is a drop off from the rest. I’ll be coming back to this album for sure.
Obv amazing
Lived it. Every song is good.
Heel goed
Great album, have a pandora station off these guys and already knew most of them.
instant classic
Loved
Perfectly listenable to but a bit repetitive maybe. For me it's a good job it’s a short album. The guitars are solid enough, although I might want a bit more funk in the baseline perhaps. The vocals seem a bit lost in the guitar which isn't my preference. Glad I listened to it though, and reading about it the album's clearly influential. It had already occurred to me that it's similar to early Arctic Monkeys, so the influence it had on that sort of sound is a good enough reason for it to be on this list. It just lacks the wit and style to go with it. It's all fine. I enjoyed it enough but I doubt I'll listen to it again, certainly not regularly. A solid 3.5 though.
Ruppig, der Song „Take it or leave it“ erinnert an Nirvana
Love this album. Saw this tour in concert. I even bought this version of the album from Amazon UK. It's still good. I remembered it pretty closely to what I thought. I like the way the songs kinda "roll along" - jangly guitar and quick beat.
Quality stuff. ‘Classic’ vibes in terms of my musical experience!
I really enjoyed this one a lot too. My favorite part of this is seeing all the newer artists I like that were so heavily influenced by these artists. I heard so much of Jet in here, and I love that Jet was obviously so heavily influenced by The Strokes.
Awesome
Listening to this after work with my windows down made me feel like the main character. The strokes are good but I didn’t love all their songs. It kind of gives me “Nirvana” vibes like “they’re just not like other artists” or it’s cool to like them. I do like them though! Last Nite is such a classic.
SAME AS IT EVER WAS
Un disco que no suena a 2001, sino que es mucho más atemporal. Esto es lo que hace que un disco sea bueno de verdad.
5- Stars (13/15)
One of my favorite albums of all time
very good
The album that changed my life. Would give 500 stars if I could.
Fantastic album
absolute heater
Is this it: heard this before, love the nostalgic feel. has a really interesting vibe, feels like home some of the songs kinda blend together, but a few rly stick out Someday: heard this before, very cool Alone together: very cool ideas mixing the different guitar parts in the first verse. Simplistic but really powerful sums up like a lot of songs on the album but this express it very well. part where it gets fast is really great, love how it adds to the chorus when it transitions into that. Solo is really cool, love the stroked guitar work in general. Last nite: Very cool, vocals are really nice, pair well with the guitar. Nice vibe Over all 3.5, wish there was more variety between some songs. Very mellow and simple songwriting can be super powerful and this is a rly cool example.
good album but damn it gets repetitive at times. overall like the sound though so it's a 3/5
Hmm, vad kan detta vara? Bra grejer
• Har annat omslag i USA för detta är för explicit • Det patenterade Strokes bôset Betyg: 5/5
Svinbra album. Vem kunde tro att jag skulle tycka om The Strokes. Många bra låtar som man inte lyssnar på så ofta om man inte lyssnar hela albumet. New York city cops var lite weird
I couldn't move the left side of my body after listening to this album, but it was catchy and had a feel good beat the kids are sure to love.
I adored this album and what the band could have been, but they fell short. It’s an overproduced album by a group of entitled rich kids led by a control freak who is ruled by substance abuse. Is This It was what we needed to jumpstart the change in radio at the end of a decade of dad rock. Its a shame Julian wasn’t held accountable 25 years ago (or ever). This album influenced a lot of experimental garage pop bands on the scene to up their game, that is the contribution of The Strokes.
Thumbs up.
Added 4 songs to my liked songs. They have their own sound, broken mic singing. Bass pops out. Bobblehead 01 Collage alternative pop for sure.
this band got me into "indie" back in the day lol
Mäßiger Post Punk.
Mix is a bit shit, but the bass lines are super. I once saw them at the isle of white festival. The lead singer was off his tits, but kept shouting out "isle of whitey" which was the main highlight
Decent.
Solid rock album. Better than their later stuff.
Man, I fucking love The Strokes. This debut album is by no means "The New Abnormal" but it clearly shone a light about the kind of band they were set to become.
Legendarisch album.
the exception to the rule that all garage rock revival bands are shite, One of the only critical darlings that are actually good.
wish this had been as edgy and cool as the album cover made it seem
pretty good overall and nice to see a more modern album on this list, but most of these songs were pretty average garage rock. oddly, i liked the middle of the album and didn't really care for the beginning or the end. the strokes have some good tracks and someday is easily my favorite of this album. the sexy album cover also seems out of place and unnecessary? or maybe I'm just saying that because it's taking up most of the screen on my work computer. the alternate/US cover is way cooler imo. also i keep thinking julian casablancas and the strokes are british for some reason but i promise i didn't factor this into my rating. favorites: someday, alone together, last nite, hard to explain
Wow ... phenomenal, epitome of indie rock. Songs are so catchy and are excellently written and mixed
I think of the Strokes as the last in a long line of bands to have "saved Rock and Roll"; the last guitar-based band to have enormous success by reimagining the sound of two guitars, a bass, drums and vocals, while keeping the raw energy of youth as the guiding principal. I dislike the megaphone effects on the vocals and I still love this album.
they have their signature sound, and it's already in full throttle in their debut album. it's a perfect music for a bar
Well it's been a long time since I listen to this album and I feel I enjoyed it more when it came out. It's fun rock album that leans heavy in the Lou Reed Velvet Underground sound which get's closer to ripping off than inspiring. Still a good listen, 3.5 for me but a +.5 for nostalgia.
Still a super album. Does the vocal effect get to be a bit much? Maybe, but I like it. I love when a band has a unique enough sound that it really grabs your attention and makes you want to listen. And the true tast is if you want to listen again. And again. This record definitely passes that test for me.
I like this record. It's hard separating the massive hype surrounding the Strokes when this came out. I wish their follow ups were anywhere near as good.
First time I heard this album all the way through. I really like some of the stuff that sounds like Lou Reed, so that's good. Overall very enjoyable and I'll listen to it again.
A rock band of a classic take, from a more modern band
I was pleased to be able to give this a good listen as it's a highly rated album that hadn't done it for me. Having listened I can see what the fuss is about. It is very good, but it still doesn't do enough for me to push it to a four.
I had always heard of this album, but never got around to listening to it. Pretty much got what I expected based on reviews I had seen. Great riffs and drumming and good singing, but ultimately nothing out of the ordinary for a 2000's alternative album. Just solid front to back.
Not it
I can hear the new decade in this record! Super innovative. Awesome guitar and bass playing, with an insanely tight band. It would lose points for being a bit repetitive but I respect it so much artistically I think I can round up.
love it
I did recognize one track. Other than that this is a new experience. Very energetic. I can see myself listening to this when I want to be a lot of energy in the music I am listening to.
Awesome! I bought this when it first came out, but had forgotten how great it is. Classic!
Outstanding from beginning to end. Really enjoyed every song.
2/5. Really a mellow album compared to the Reptilia Strokes that I grew up with. Not my favorite, but still a few good moments.
fav songs; the modern age, (alone, together) and trying your luck overall a good album but i thought i would like it more than i did in the end. so imma go with a 3/5 and see if other albums by the strokes make me *pause* *Edit* after +200 Albums later i didnt had any The Strokes Album... It grew on me too (4.0/5.0)
always one of the best
Good sounds. My kind of music. Great guitar riffs. However, I would have liked to hear more variety and creativity between the songs. It feels like they found their sound and stuck with it rather than try out new stuff. Overall, a solid album for the genre and there are a few great songs that I'll add to my regular playlist.
Banger
Includes one of my favorite songs of all time but it doesn’t hold up on a full listen
The strokes are such an iconic sound for this era. Outside of my highlights though, didn't love the rest of the album. Highlights: modern age, last nite, someday (LOVE this song), hard to explain
Lots of hits.
Another one I knew some of already. Very "cool" New York sound throughout. Nothing beats Last Nite though
I only knew the song, Reptilia, by The Strokes - so this was a great way to get into a new band. This is a really strong album where pretty much every song is good to great. Most of the songs are played with high energy and passion. There is a degree of "sameness" to many songs, but they are played with gusto that makes me not mind after awhile. My favorite tracks: The Modern Age, Barely Legal, Last Nite, Take It Or Leave It, and Alone Together (my favorite song on the album).
Seems very much of it's time. Very one note.
I wonder how many of the mix CDs I’ve ever made include “Last Nite” (hint: it’s a lot). I liked them 20+ years ago and think the album still holds up today.
Pretty good stuff. Reading about how it was recorded was interesting. I remember them on SNL. Somewhat remind me of The Jam, who didn’t get US recognition like this group did. Good job, lads
Is This It, is, in my opinion, where The Strokes peaked. IMO this album is the epitome of 00s rock and defined their sound for the next decade, until they transformed into their current, more pop-y form. Someday and Last Nite are two of the most important rock tracks of the 00s and I love them. Easy 5/5 for me.
First track is 99% ASMR. Thats about all I got for this album, not much to talk about. Its artistic for sure.
Not really my thing.
Also very nostalgic for me. I am learning that my dad has great taste in music. I really dig this!
Very good
"Is This It" is an apt title for one of the most overrated albums of recent memory.
Indie awakenings. Primavera sound disappointments. In my forever playlist.
Very familiar with this one. Love The Strokes. Easy 5 star.
Goed album om de afwas op te doen
Very solid album
Dare I say a 5? I grew up with Someday from mlb2k8, the other famous song is of course famous, but the rest was pretty new. While it all had a similar tone, it was varied enough to not bore me and make me wanna listen more. This may be in rotation
Classic.
The Brits sure as hell know how to make hits. An album perfect for a summer roadtrip
First time hearing these guys. I like it
Good early 2000's indie rock. Definitely worth another listen.
LAAAAAAAAAST NIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT, SHEEEEEEEEE SAIDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD OH BABY I FEEEEEEL SO DOWNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN Is This It: 4.5 The Modern Age: 4 Soma: 3.5 Barely Legal: 4 Someday: 5 Alone, Together: 4.5 Last Nite: 5 Hard to Explain: 5 When It Started: 4 Trying Your Luck: 4.5 Take It Or Leave It: 5
Haven't really listened to this since it came out when I was in high school. It's good blues, rock but very derivative of what comes before it.
No. 94/1001 Is This It 3/5 The Modern Age 3/5 Soma 4/5 Barely Legal 3/5 Someday 4/5 Alone, Together 3/5 Last Nite 3/5 Hard To Explain 3/5 New York City Cops 4/5 Trying Your Luck 3/5 Take It Or Leave It 3/5 Average: 3,27 Didn't like the distorted voice. Aside from that a fun rock album.
Highs: Is this it?, Last Nite, Take it or Leave it Lows: basically everything else
Good shit but gotta be in the mood for it
Cooler version of the music I listened to in high school.
This was definitely what rock music was like between 2000 and 1990, from the vocals and the array of music on the album with only one song becoming a staple. It had a few songs I could go without hearing them again, but that doesnt make the conviction the artist had any less real!
This band is weird. I tend to enjoy their songs, but at the same time all of their songs sound like they were ripped off from more popular songs. Setting that aside, I find the singer's voice oddly compelling. They sound pretty good as a band. This album was hailed as a revitalization of rock when it came out, yet it ultimately ended up being more of a last hurrah. Regardless, this album has aged a lot better than much of the rock being made in the early 2000s. The production being excellent probably has something to do with that 4/5
Not too bad
Is This It is the perfect album. The Strokes came along in the early 2000’s and helped pave a new road away from all the weirdness that arose in the late 90’s. They didn’t over complicate it, they made a perfect album with jangly guitars, clean drums and Casablancas with his seemingly effortless delivery singing about sex, youth and drugs with wit. Everything about this band was cool, the album art is iconic, the band logo was awesome, they were here to save rock and they did. This is the most defining album of my high school experience and unlike other favourites from my teenage years, aged beautifully. This remains my favourite album of all time, I will be singing along to this til I die. 10 stars
5 star cover art. 3 star music.
I loved punk rock in the 80’s but this I found the lyrics boring as well as the music itself
Interesting that you've not received my comments or voting...I have done so on my phone? I gave this album 5 stars! or higher if I could. It was awesome. Great lyrics and musicality was spot on...I Loved it, was surprised as i had heard some of the songs from before, but had not remembered the name of the band!!
Never heard of them before…
Better than I expected, some familiar songs
Probably The Strokes best album, and for good reason. It contains most of the hits they are known for, and the rest of it is also really good - though it took me a bit longer to appreciate perhaps. I think they do a great job of sounding modern, but also manage to rub off some older indie band vibes like The Smiths. I can't swear exactly on how much The Strokes have influenced other bands, but if Alex Turner from the immensely successful Arctic Monkeys sings "I just wanted to be one of The Strokes", I have a vague idea.
This was such a fun listen! Released in the beginning of the garage rock revival it really was the start of 00s rock sound. I was a bit too young yet to be swept away by it (i was 10) so it is not with too much nostalgia I listen to this. I still think this album holds up really well. The lo-fi mixing might feel a bit dated but the riffs and catchiness of the songs are still there. "Someday" and especially "Last Nite" are decade defining songs but I really enjoyed the rest of the album as well. It can hold it's own through all its tracks and does not outstay its welcome. A few duds (looking at you "New York City Cops") and that I held some similar records in higher regards prevents from getting this a 5.
favourite song: alone, together so difficult to pick a favourite here. one of the best albums of its era. a masterpiece of an album thats good enough that i can forgive the band for (mostly) being private school rich kids.
Hell yeah. Favorite band in high school and the highwater mark of the post-punk revival in the early aughts. Tons of brilliant stuff, even if their constant need to be hip (and drunk) was off-putting even as a teen. It's hard to remember, but this was one hell of a band up until their third LP when things started to fall apart. Essential.
Minimalistisch
Adequate 2 or 3 good tracks. Rest is blah.
Someday and Last Nite are good, the others are all varying degrees of ok
Before listening i felt as though i wouldnt like it though i did it was very fun to listen to would most likely listen to again i really liked his voice and the guitar in songs is very good too overall 5/5
Not something I would have picked to listen to on my own, but some of the songs were enjoyable.
This is one of the greatest albums ever written. I just wish that New York City cops was on the default version of the album
Strokes interessant, aber viele langweilige lieder
I've learned, this is a kind of garage rock. It sounds a little bit flat to me. This will not be one of my favorite albums.
Is This It 3.5/5 The Modern Age 4.5/5 cool solo Soma 4/5 Barely Legal 4/5 Someday 4.5/10 Alone, Together 4/5 cool solo Last Nite 5/5 Banger Hard To Explain 4/5 When It Started 4/5 Interesting solo Trying Your Luck 4.5/5 Take It Or Leave It 4/5
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qyzG0d9vJbE/UBe_j1-CZ4I/AAAAAAAAAwU/FYStjagCi0c/s1600/Bowl+Skate2.gif
I have not heard this album before and I only know of The Strokes by name. I was a bit apprehensive about listening as I thought their genre would be too left field for my taste but I was pleasantly surprised. I found myself liking all of their songs in some way. A few songs I would like to mention are: Barely Legal, Soma, and Alone, Together (which I really like the instrumental from). I would say my least favourite song on the album is the title track, Is This It. The songs are very short in length with primarily vocals and only a few guitar solos (which were good). I will definitely listen to this album again; I just have to find a playlist to put it in.
Is this it? Yes it is. Indie rock perfection. It's like Marquee Moon for the 2000s. Short and to the point, fun, catchy, iconic. *Heard before (a lot)
This be the mood.
Btw, are we all getting a kick outta the listener who keeps plagiarizing - usually just wholesale stealing - reviews from all music.com?
Decent album. It didn't hit for me when it was originally released and a refreshed listen didn't change my opinion.
Alles schnell - durchaus gut, aber sehr einheitlich
Enjoyed their sound but don’t think I could distinguish the Strokes from a dozen other bands
Julian Casablancas is said to have wanted Is This It to sound like a pair of favourite jeans, worn but familiar and comfortable. Whoever engineered this record did such a good job with that brief that Is This It really does feel as if it’s been around forever. Ground Zero for Rock in the new millennium, The Strokes feel like something new, a turning point away from the bloated and incoherent mess Alternative had become since Grunge fizzled out, a move towards an unkempt urban hipster cool image, that’s been so successful as marketing that it’s still what I imagine cool young people listen to in downtown Manhattan apartments over 20 years later. What I feel is often undervalued is how interesting it is as music. It all slots together in a very intricate way, with parts stopping and starting, the guitars playing off each other, the metronomic drums giving a tribal motorik performance that is weirdly danceable. I can slip this album on like a favourite pair of jeans at any time of day, at any point in the year and it fits. As a piece of art it is flawless, as a social document it is fascinating, and as an instruction manual in cool it is still functional. I love this album
Pleased to report that this thing holds up remarkably well. There's an argument to be made that not only was (is) it worth all the hype, but also the greatest garage rock album ever. Sometimes it sounds like a more polished version of The Ramones. Oddly enough, the only track that doesn't grab me is the opening song. The freaking title track, a stiff that leads off an amazing album. For all the press and hype this thing got upon release, you'd think someone would have suggested a better sequencing of the songs. Bonus points for the dude who wrote and recorded "It Never Rains In Southern California" having a son who brought thunder to The Strokes.
Great album, im a semi fan of the strokes, but i would give this album a 3/5
Great early aughts rock before metal/hard rock took hold. Recommended!
Enjoyable first listen. 8/10
A brilliant album, in part genre defining of east coast indie rock of the early 2000s. The Modern Age is a perfect song.
One of my favorite albums ever. Julian Casablancas will forever be one of my favorite musicians. Only second perfect 5.0 album for me 175 albums in. I fell in love with the new abnormal which has lead me on the path to seeking out new music which in turn lead me to this website. Only fair to give this one a 5.0 just for that. Julian’s other band the Voidz is awesome too if anyone has read this far but doubt they’re represented on this list. Rating: 5.0
uhhh w indie album very good julian casablancas sounds like hes singing into a bread box 👍
Good rock n roll
Solid. Never heard this album and I enjoyed it a lot. There is a lot of swagger in the singers voice. It's probably the best part of the album. I'll listen to this again.
This is the perfect album. I love every song. Each moment I could recognise from the tiniest of clips because the sound they’ve created is so distinctive and stylised. Always a joy to listen to and it’s never not in rotation for me.
Solid album with some recognisable tunes.
Oh Maya says I'm lacking in depth I will do my best You say you want to stand by my side Darling your head's not right Ah see, alone we stand together we fall apart Yeah I think I'll be alright I'm working so I won't have to try so hard Tables, they turn sometimes Oh someday No I ain't wasting no more time And now my fears they come to me in threes So I Sometimes Say fate my friend you say the strangest things I find sometimes This album is pretty great. 5/5
Nicht mein Geschmack
Rumpelig, auf Dauer bissi anstrengend
good stuff gotta give it another listen
Meh.
9/10. Consistently high quality throughout, and ends before the sameyness of the songs becomes oppressive.
Man I love The Strokes. 9/10
Every song sounds the sa-(gets pummeled by rocks) Most songs sound the same, but it's a really good sound that I enjoy, so it's fine. This isn't my favorite Strokes album though - I think both "The New Abnormal" and "Room on Fire" have a tighter sound.. But I can't really hate on the quintessential indie rock album of the early 2000s.
A hyped album that was good. Overloved by the British music media but it does everything right. Songs, production, stripped back playing. Strong
I haven´t listening this album in a while. It was joy to my ears
I remember buying this and listening to it a pretty fair amount when it was first released. I enjoyed it back then and I enjoy it now. Back in 2001 I saw them perform in Lawrence, Kansas, shortly after this was released. It was a disappointing show. The singer was pretty drunk or something, and was sloppy enough to where other people in the band were visibly frustrated with them.
I should have some cynical take on this album, and I can say that of the new Rock revival bands The Strokes are not my favorite (that would be TV On the Radio) but this is an undeniable classic full of great throwback tunes. I will say I’m very happy the version I heard doesn’t have this cover.
I remember the hype when this came out and I remember liking this, but not being blown away. I hadn’t listened in maybe 20 years. It’s good, but all sounds the same to me and Julian refuses to do anything interesting vocally.
Liked it alot in high school but didn't really grab me past the initial nostalgia on this relisten. I'll average out the 5 stars high school Eric would give this with the 3 stars 40 year old Eric gives this...4 stars
Catchy songs, nice voice. I liked it 4/5 Favorites: Someday, Last Nite
It was pretty good throughout,don’t understand the complete critical love bust last nite is a banger.
Whiney. Sounds like it was recorded in a bathroom.
מעפן
Очень сильно напоминает инди-рок 10-ых, но удивлён тому, когда он был выпущен. К сожалению, кроме одной композиции, альбом совсем не зацепил.
I was very late to the party when it came to The Strokes. I dismissed them as overhyped rich kids making standard rock music. Probably not bad but I didn't have the time to bother. When I finally got around to listening to this, I could see what I had been missing. The album is so much better than I'd expected. It's not often that a band manages to balance on the fine line between mainstream radio-friendly rock and unpolished underground indie. But the Strokes managed and the album still holds up well. Easy 5 stars.
Not bad but not particularly remarkable overall. Last Nite bumps it up to a 4 for me though.
Dopamine hit with every start of every song, absolutely love this album
Really good album , I had already listened to this before but was definitely happy to have a proper relisten
Quite liked it, felt like I’d heard similar stuff before though. I knew …Sometime and Last Nite which I liked. Good music, would happily put on at a party.
Liked it, didn’t love it
It's good
Good but kinda forgettable
forgot how many incredible tracks were on this record, the sounds is unmistakeable however it is a bit samey
It's fine.
Not even their best album and it’s still filled with bangers
TheStrokes's debut album presented a unique sound with the jangly guitar riffs and iconic vocals of Julian Casablancas. Each song has energy and it is a fun listen to get through.
Fantastic album, love The Strokes anyway and can listen to this album time and time again ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I think it's pedestrian yet somehow undeniable at the same time!
What a fucking awesome album! I forgot how much I like the strokes
I enjoyed this album and will be listening to it again! I have a few friends who love The Strokes but I'm not sure why I never got into them! I think I probably would have loved them more back in the early naughties, but still good now :) Strokiest Track: Alone together
3.5
I went into this one totally cold having only ever heard of the band name but not knowing the music. At just over 35 minutes this album was consistently strong throughout and didn't have an ounce of padding on it. For a debut album this was surprisingly good and I enjoyed it from front to back.
yup
90s Rock was officially over in 2001, we'd survived the few years dalliance with Nu-Metal and bands like The Strokes, The White Stripes, The Vines, and Kings of Leon were here to bring the garage band style cool back. Low production values are the order of the day here, make it sound like it's recorded in one take on a busted 4 track in some guys 3rd floor walk-up in the Lower East Side (in reality it was in a basement in the East Village, but who counting here?). Julian Casablancas is dripping in understated coolness, Albert Hammond and Nick Valensi have serious guitar duels throughout, Fabrizio Moretti brings a tribal drum feel but my MVP is Nikolai Fraiture and his driving bass, it kicks in during the title track and then I knew what I wanted to do, I wanted to play bass like that.... But I never could. Anyway, this is a classic, stone cold classic garage rock revival, biblical!
It's good, but I feel like a lot if the hype around it is of the "you had to be there" variety, because I personally don't get it.
Gefällt sehr gut von Anfang an direkt. Paar bekannte Songs helfen zwischendurch. Aber auch sonst kurzweilig
Another one I'm very familiar with. And a frankly brilliant album, for what it is. It's cohesive and driven. Some of the songs are quite fun. It was part of revival in music, so has a huge part in rock history. Do I enjoy it? Yeah. Is it a masterpiece that moves me? Not really. A great candidate for 4/5 stars.
Immediately transported me to Lansdowne St, when it was still a bit gritty.
Lyrics Pros: The lyrics are often praised for their simplicity and relatability, capturing the essence of youthful angst and urban life [1]. Clever wordplay and catchy phrases contribute to the album's memorability. Cons: Some critics argue that the lyrics lack profound depth, bordering on superficiality. Music Pros: The Strokes' musical prowess is evident in the album's tight instrumentation and Julian Casablancas' distinctive vocals. Catchy guitar riffs, dynamic drumming, and basslines create an infectious groove. Cons: Some tracks may sound sonically similar, leading to a lack of diversity in the overall musical landscape. Production Pros: Gordon Raphael's production style embraces a lo-fi aesthetic, enhancing the garage rock authenticity. The stripped-down production emphasizes the band's raw talent. Cons: The lo-fi approach might not appeal to those seeking a more polished sound. Themes Pros: "Is This It" explores themes of disillusionment, romance, and urban life, resonating with a generation navigating the challenges of early adulthood. Cons: Some argue that the thematic content lacks innovation compared to other albums of the time. Influence Pros: The album significantly influenced the garage rock revival of the early 2000s, inspiring a new wave of bands. It played a role in shaping the sound of indie rock for years to come. Cons: The immense influence may overshadow the album's individuality for some listeners. In conclusion, "Is This It" remains a landmark album that captures the zeitgeist of its era. Its strengths lie in its simplicity, energetic music, and lasting impact on the music landscape. While some criticize its lyrical depth and sonic diversity, these factors are minor compared to the album's overall significance in the evolution of rock music.
Hard to believe this is a pre-9/11 album. So fresh and undeniably fun - in retrospect has had an immeasurable influence on the scene. No faults
Good choice of instruments but nothing overly exciting.
THE premier rich kid rock album, lol.
Most of it was the same
I’ve had Last Nite stuck in my head since I saw this was the album
This slick, flawlessly mixed and produced debut from The Strokes almost makes it worth it to have to deal with The Ramones as a pop culture phenomenon.
Undoubtedly highly influential to bands that in the end turned out more exciting that The Strokes themselves. Is This It isn’t quite the bomb I remembered it as - even though it is really effective. The songwriting is tight, the instruments even tighter… I guess, when all is said and done, I just don’t really have a special thing for Casablancas.
Absolute banger. Strong album all the way through.
I remember when this album came out. It sounded pretty different to anything else that was out of the time. Re-listening to it brought back some memories. Enjoyable ones!
Hace años que escucho este album: nepotism done right. Quien pudiera ser tan cool como los Strokes y su primer album
Meh.
Nice
banger!
Very catchy! Steady rhythms, very enjoyable guitar and bass sound. My favourites are Hard to Explain and Last Nite.
If you've just listened to this album for the 1st or 2nd time, it really creeps up on you. First you think, oh this is a fun rock album, nothing too special. A couple listens later the songwriting and the performances just grip you tight and never let go. One of the best rock albums ever made for me.
Just a perfect garage rock band/album. Had this in regular rotation in the early 2000's, so this took me back.
Incredibly fun, and I really liked the drums.
A nostalgia bomb. Very solid indie/alt rock vibes all around.
A total classic, even though I didn't heard them so much
I prefer Room on Fire
such a brilliant energy-fueled joyous album, it's sad that the strokes haven't really advanced musically from this but oh well because this is such a specific sound for a specific time and place, a specific generation that i can't really fault it that much. although apparently the woman whose bum is on the album cover didn't consent to her bum being on the album cover which is a bit morally dodgy. anyway back to the music. this is an album for sweaty teenage parties. dark rooms and warm air. thinking you're really cool with your new short black dress. eyeliner and hairspray and t shirts with bands on that you think are really cool even though you've only listened to a few songs. the lyrics are needy, whiny. made me happy to listen to this the whole way through!
Pas fan de la voix sourde
Near perfection.
I love the sequencing on this how it doesn’t really seem like the band is going to be able to keep their groove together the first few songs, and then when you hit Barely Legal and then Someday and realize they are in complete control. I have to speak my truth, though, and admit that, while I knew them before, I only really came to the strokes because of their inclusion on the 2002 Spider-Man soundtrack
An absolutely fantastic modern rock album. I had heard of Julian Casablancas before but never actually listened to the band. First thing I've liked enough so far to make me actually want to seek out the band's other work.
This was pretty! And rocked too.
Nothing wrong with it. Glad I listened. But also nothing that stuck out to me??
It was really good. But in that kind of way that mames for good background music. But the kind you actually want playing as you're doing something elss rather than because its forgettable or something like that
Simple, fun, catchy, groovy, jammy, sexy, beautiful, extravagant, clean, dirty, global, passionate, friendly, savvy, luscious, gifted, powerful, electric, home-grown, sweet, cool, dashing
All around stellar album.
Excellent stuff
I started ranking my top albums of the year in 2000. The Strokes’ Is This It was my #1 in 2001 and I also chose it as my top album of the decade. The right mix of attitude, guitars and melody. A classic!
My only real exposure to the strokes was through Pandora, where they filled in soundspace just fine, but didn't excite me all that much. Looking at that release date, though... Did some quick wikipedia'ing, and yeah it's looking like this one might have been at the same level as MGMT *Oracular Spectacular* in terms of "hey all this other shit you were listening to came from specifically this". "Post-punk revival", as they call it, apparently. Like I like some Killers, I like Franz Ferdinand, those bands probably don't come out sounding like that without this having come first. So definitely respect where it's due
I truly hate the music this band makes
One of my favorite bands/albums of all time <3
Smooth album with plenty of 2000's reverb, many nostalgia points and would gladly listen again.
Lovely stuff. Used to be a favourite when it was first out
I like the hits. Otherwise, a little too homogeneous for me.
Very boring.
Nostalgísk en hefur líka elst ansi vel. Mjög gott samspil tveggja gítara, raddfilterinn vel notaður, lögin grípandi og skemmtileg, og ef ég ætti að nefna eina plötu frá árinu 2001 er þessi sú fyrsta sem kemur í hugann. Fullt hús.
Very influenced by the Velvet Underground
Is This It // Someday // Alone, Together // Last Nite // Hard To Explain //
Nah not really my style but some sounds was fine
I have sought out this album before, so I'd call it 5/5
Perfect
Great album, really enjoyed re-listening to it, as would have been my era growing up.
Tremendo discazo. Cantidad de temas buenos.
Classic
mid af
Always preferred the fractal cover to the butt cover. It’s so hard not to overstate how impactful this album was. It was such a tight debut, not a single skip. All the hipster kids at my hs worshipped Julian casablancas. This album and room on fire always reminds me of that time in my life. Fav song has to be trying your luck
Well I mean yeah. It’s awesome.
I love this album. This was a staple in high school.
The sound and music of The Strokes has always been a favorite of mine.
Really great punk, indie rock album from the Strokes! I love Julian Casablancas' vocals and the bands' overall sound. Favorite Song(s): "Someday", "Last Nite", "Hard To Explain"
This album is very popular and influential, but personally I have always thought it was just ok. Definitely dont hate it tho.
Album holds up.
Somehow this album makes New York in 2001 sounds 100x cooler than Billy Joel made 1977 New York sound which is impossible. Went into it planning to give it a 4 but enjoyed my drive to work so much I missed my turn. Extra points for this being Henry’s favourite album when he was 3.
Probably the most important rock album of the aughts. The sound is a bit stale in 2023, (maybe because I’ve heard it so many times) but it’s a modern rock classic. 4.6
4.4. I originally had this a 5 star but I ended up listening to the same song 3 times in a row and didn't really notice. So maybe is a bit repetitive. Band is super tight. I noticed that the bass lines and/or guitar riffs followed the vocals quite a bit which should be used in moderation but most of instrumentation is fairly original and interesting. Imagine being Julian Casablancas, lead singer in a great rock band, your dad owning a modeling agency, not too shitty.
Great. Almost a 5 for me
V v nice
There was a big hype around The Strokes when they were around back in the days. As someone who grew up with older rock music I always wondered what my contemporaries found in them. Didn't they just sound like a little updated version of The Kinks and other bands? Now, years later after I got recommended this album, I still stand by my opinion. The music is solid albeit surprise free. I'd rather listen to some old school stuff.
Crazy how relevant and great this still sounds. 2000s rock! What a time to be alive!
Is this it? The mythology surrounding this album has hounded me since the beginning of my foray into music fandom and there have been times where I would just dismiss it outright as a blown-up make believe that doesn't hold water; a stab at a trend that was done better some twenty-five, almost thirty years before. And, for the most part, that stance I've taken with this album becomes solidified with each passing song as it blends into one supposedly monolithic thing whilst offering some glimmers of differentiation that redeems that particular song. So I'm going to allow this to pass me by. I respect its legacy and its place amongst music lovers from that time but this isn't it for me. Favorites: The Modern Age, Soma, Alone, Together, Last Nite, Hard to Explain.
Que isso bicho, putaria. Gostosinho o álbum, já conhecia algumas músicas. Mais uma na sequência de músicas da pixel / noite de Joinville. Essa distorção na voz é clássica deles. Altas musiquinhas boas de ouvir, felizes, mais a minha vibe. As mais manjadas cansou já, eu lembro que sempre pulava quando vinha no aleatório huahuhuahu. Muito bom, gostei pra caramba de conhecer o álbum todo. Me lembra uma fase boa da vida indo no Didge ver batalha de bandas, rolês pela cidade, memórias boas. Jurava que ia ser enjoativo, mas por ter me impressionado e ser minha vibe, vou dar 4 estrelas.
As 3 primeiras músicas do álbum não me chamaram muita atenção, apesar da linha de baixo muito daóra da primeira, as músicas como um todo eu achei meio sem sal, nada muito característico. Mas ao longo delas, deu pra sentir que foi engatando. 4. Barely Legal engatou, essa eu já conhecia previamente já. Tem uma vibe mais daóra, mais envolvente. Gosto bastante dela, refrão bem bom. Se parar pra analisar, ela nem é tão diferente assim das anteriores, mas achei ela uma versão mais característica, com mais personalidade que as anteriores, mais marcante. 5. Someday eu também já conhecia e gosto bastante. O álbum definitivamente tá melhorando bastante com relação às primeiras. Essa aqui também é mais marcante. Bem animada, linhas gostosinhas de guitarra acompanhando o vocal. Aquele estilo de ponte clássica que fica só a bateria e baixo. 6. Alone, Together começa com um riffzinho massa de guitarra, bem indiezão mesmo. Boa música, pra preparar pra estrela do álbum. Solo simples mas bem animado, fecha bem legal a música. 7. Last Nite é a música de ouro da banda né. Acredito que a que fez eles explodirem. E de fato, baita música. Interessante que ela quebra o padrão de estrutura clássico. Tem a pequena criação de expectativa alí nos primeiros segundos e aí ela já cai direto no refrão, com o vocal rasgando de cara. Ou isso, ou esse é o verso e o verso é mais famoso que o refrão kkkkk As 2 músicas seguintes eu achei bem bacana, são divertidas, ainda mantém a pegada, já as duas últimas nem tanto, achei que deu uma caída. Em geral, gostei bastante do álbum, várias músicas que eu já tinha adicionado, bem indiezão, bem tranquilo de ouvir, tem a clássica Last Nite, que garante muitos pontos. Acho um sólido 4 estrelas.
Nepobabies but not deducting anything for it
All killer, no filler
11/3/23. Another all time favorite of mine! Lost count of how many times I’ve listened to this. A staple from 2000s indie rock that stays with me today.
This is goooooood. It's got the throwback garage band sound, while still taking every advantage of music production and quality.
Obvious indie classic. Too lazy to expand upon that thought.
Plezant plaatje, waar vooral de 2 hitsingles mij aanspreken. Af en toe eens een harder nummer, zoals de afsluiter
No skips! I didn't have this cd, but I had Room on Fire, I think my brother had this one. I didn't know about the original cover, only the yellow and blue one! Someday remains an unimpeachable bop, I think Last Nite is actually my least favorite song on the album and it's still great. Is this it and Soma really stood out to me today. The story about NYC Cops is wild.
I'd been meaning to listen to the Strokes for a while now and this daily album challenge was a good way to get exposure to some new stuff. With this album, I particularly like the bass and some of the drum beats. There's a nice, mellow kind of rhythm to the overall album I enjoy.
last nite song Can appreciate the music and guitar - a little early 2000s angsty
Une petite capsule temporelle, la production est franchement unique, avec une sorte de grain bien particulier, ce qui fait que toutes les chansons de l'album sont tout de suite reconnaissable. Ça me rappelle beaucoup ma deuxième année de prépa, car j'écoutais les Strokes en boucle à cette époque. De bons souvenirs ! (Il est vrai que certaines chansons se ressemblent trop, mais bon !)
Non-stop infectious pop-rock
4.3/5 Very solid album, some of it feels kind of same-y though. Best track: Someday
This is definitely in my top 100 albums. It’s so good
good album
Uno de los mejores discos de la década de los 00 y super influyente para el género del garage rock. La producción se convirtió en la foto, el punto a llegar, lo que todo el mundo quiere para su sonido en su banda. Gracias a al constante uso de distorsión en la voz se convirtió en uso común en el género y gran parte a Julián Casablancas. Más allá de esto, el trabajo de guitarras es impecable, con juegos de guitarras gemelas donde una le responde a otra y donde desempeñan una labor única. Tanto el bajo y la batería no hacen nada de otro mundo, pero dan lo justo que necesita en ocasiones las canciones. No sobrecargar una sección o varias es también una virtud. El único punto malo es que en ocasiones la voz llega al punto en que se empata con todo y a veces no se diferencia una canción de otra. Hitazo: Last nite Canción favorita: someday Sorpresa: Hard to explain
I love this album. When this came out in 2001 it had the energy of the punk rock that I loved at that time, without being pop punk. It was just really catchy rock music with great hooks and a cool aesthetic. Indie rock/power pop I guess, but whatever its called I like it. This always felt underground to me, so its interesting to see them now headlining festivals. I never really paid much attention to their later albums, but they obviously have remained popular despite never being household names. Regardless, this album is great and definitely one of the best rock records of the the 00s.
Debut album from one of the quintessential garage-rock revivalist bands that bombarded MTV and alternative rock radio stations during the early '00s. This record means more for what it signifies as opposed to how the songs work (the lone exception being "Last Night"). I suspect this record receives a disproportionate amount of praise because it's their first one. But whenever I want to listen to a Strokes record, I play their much better follow-up, "Room on Fire."
Like it, seems like a classic
Great energy. Banger from beginning to end. Impossible not to bop along with.
Lite kul men kanske inte det bästa man hört. Inte alls dåligt, men inget som sticker ut.
Perhaps THE most influential and important album of the 21st century
Awesome album
Really good album. Liked every single song
Lots of fun in here, but also lots of filler. (It's like they had different versions of the same idea rather than just letting one song have the glory.)
It’s a cool record, with a couple of very strong songs. Found it a bit repetitive, though.
LOVE this. The sounds is the same throughout, but, I think it's interesting and well timed.
Meh.
Definitive strokes sound, but starts to get tiring. The songs that stand out do stand out, but the album as a whole lacks diversity in both song writing and style. I don’t feel the urge to get lost inside the album.
It’s alright
Not a fan of the radio-distortion on the lead singer in almost all the songs.
Classic. Great vibes all around
meh
Good album - not convinced by all the lyrics, but great sound.
Believe the hype - no weak tracks here, The Strokes make a perfect rock pop album. Infectious, enduring, exciting, unpretentious, no song overstays its welcome and the album clocks in at just under 40 minutes (would fit on one side of a C90 cassette *sigh*).
Star ratings suck.
Standout Track- Is This It
I love the Strokes and I love this album. I just think it's a little one-dimensional at times. Like 5/10 songs are all-timers but the others are only decent. It was a great start, though, and I think the strokes were able to build off of this start in later albums to really blossom into a powerhouse of a band
Yup. This album absolutely SLAPS! I’d say there’s no skips on this beast of an album. The popular songs slap. The non popular songs slap even harder. I love it. I love it. I FUCKING love the OG album cover. Ez 5. I say it’s the best Strokes album IMHO
Pretty good. So interchangeable with Arctic Monkeys, though.