Is This It

A great debut but by no means is it their best album.

Solid modern rock album. Definitely not perfect, though. I don't like that they use a lot of the same rhythms in every song, so a lot of it blends together. When I try to remember one of the songs I like, I have to wonder, "was it this one or the other 4 that do the same thing?" Also, it's hard to tell what's going on with the vocals in the songs because the singer just does the same drone-y talk-singing on every track. Favorite tracks: Someday, Last Nite

High energy, fun and catchy. Some standout hits and solid tracks otherwise. Pretty good…not nearing perfection for my ears though

Pretty basic guitar rock dressed up with distorted dispassionate vocals. I don't hate it, but I don't love it.

A pleasant album by a band I knew nothing about. I didn’t find it particularly original or groundbreaking, but the mix of punk-ish beats and late 90s indie rock vocals gets the job done if you’ve got half an hour to kill. Nothing memorable, but on this list I’ve learned to take what I can get. Who knows what horror I’ll have to listen tomorrow.

Classic jangle pop inspired rock album that made them the biggest band on the planet for 25 minutes. Good stuff, but I don't like it as much as everyone else.

I really love The Strokes, I love early 2000's indie rock, and this has some absolute classics. However I can't say I find it that remarkable, they're very repetitive and I get a bit tired of their sound after half an album. The New Abnormal their 2020 album I would give 5* however.

Man, this album. The genre and time period of The Strokes is highly relevant to my interest in music, but something about this band has just kept me away. In my admittedly prudent ways, it’s probably the album cover. I just don’t like it, and my dislike of the artwork is only exacerbated by how iconic it is and how much I want to like it on those grounds. Anyways, it’s great that I’m finally getting around to hearing another landmark, big time album. The last one was Ten by Pearl Jam thirty albums back, so I like to think it’s been a good while. I’m looking forward to hearing this one, and I have a good feeling that I will come away liking it. Yeah, this music is competent. Quintessential early 2000s indie. I admittedly prefer the more artful offerings from this period of music as opposed to the commercial, harsh sound of this album, but I can’t complain. “The Modern Age” is good. I like the guitar riffs, especially during the guitar solo. The heavy percussion during the bridge is good, too. “Soma” is a solid follow-up. The weightless atmosphere of that track is immensely gratifying, and the guitar performances are, again, very good. Is This It goes out to lunch with the next couple of tracks, but comes back with “Hard to Explain”, which is solid. The electronic sound that peeks its head into the track is married nicely with the lo-fi guitars. Despite having so many harsh sounds, the song somehow manages comes away with a soft and mellow sound, which I appreciate. On an unrelated note, I’m pretty sure I’ve heard The Modern Age, Barely Legal and Last Nite before, though I’m not exactly sure. The harsh lo-fi sound kind of conceals how recognisable this music is, which is a phenomenon I’ve never had when listening to albums before. Gonna do my homework and read the book entry for this album. “...an exhilarating debut”. The rest of the entry is about the band’s many creative influences. In any case, I can’t fault this album. I’m unsure of the relevance that The Strokes have in current year, but it’s a very good rep for the time period and I’ve seen this album on the Internet quite a few times now, so I like to think this recommendation is on good authority.

This was a fun listen. I don't think I'd actively seek it out, but I wouldn't mind if I heard it again.

I could never understand why everyone went wild over this album at the time of its release. It's good, sure . . . but not THAT good. Strokes, Franz Ferdinand, Interpol--I was always about a half-ass fan.

No es del estilo de música que escucho

This was pretty good and was the first album where I enjoyed the beat of the music.

00s rock

Quite similar to the previous listen of Vivid by Living Colour with no songs necessary standing out immensely for being great or poor. However it did lack a little something which Living Colour did possess and thus this album will be receiving a standard 3/5 rating.

Thought this would be a get a higher rating since I'm familiar with the Strokes. Its ok. First Impressions of Earth is a far superior album. 3/5.

When you listen to The Strokes, you have to remember the progression that led there, otherwise this just sounds like 'some music.' The dirty, callous bombast of 80's hair metal (a failed cultural attempt to capture the same lightning in a bottle as Eddie Van Halen) gave way to Seattle's grunge movement in the early 90's (still crunchy, less technically-focused, sensitive and singer-songwriter driven). The post-grunge sound (let's just say Smashing Pumpkins) was cleaner but similar in theme -- dark, emotional -- but redeveloped some of the hard rock technicality, and by the late 90's, that had given way to a lot of nu-metal slop (due respect to a few honest weirdos like Deftones and Incubus). That turn-of-the-millenium nu-metal phenomenon contained a bunch of neat rhythms but a also a ton of the heavy, depressive moods of the preceding decade (and if you're using Limp Bizkit as your yardstick, three whole brain cells). The Strokes and the White Stripes burst into widespread consciousness hot on the heels of Limp Bizkit's cultural domination with a stripped-down sound and way less focus on breaking stuff and doing it for the nookie. It's just a bunch of chimey guitars, rock beats and bright melodies. And for some reason, vocals that sound like they're from the other end of a rotary phone. The Strokes moved rock and roll back from the dark, angry place that nu-metal had dragged it. To be clear (and even more digressive), music can certainly be great and angry (Rage Against The Machine) but when the economic incentive is for that sort of negative emotional spiral, the quality underpinning that expression drops. At least bubblegum pop makes people feel good; doing it all for the nookie is a cash grab that makes everyone feel bad -- neither means nor end are justified. If this seems like a long review of a Limp Bizkit album that I didn't even listen to, that's kind of what makes The Strokes interesting. They're reasonably fine musicians in their own right but the thing that made them important was the cultural moment that they helped to rescue us from. It's both important to understand that to place them in their proper place and also hard to get into the vitality of their music when they're not a breath of fresh air. Anyway, 'Someday' is a catchy tune and the album gets 3/5 on its own merits. It'd be 5/5 for helping to rescue us from The Nookie but I don't need rescuing anymore.

It was ok. Didn't love it, didn't hate it. I probably would have liked it better if we were listening to it at a lively bar, instead of at home.

Well known group and debut album. This album has their well known hit - Last Nite - this album is really good. No surprises and nothing to add. Best Songs Is this it Someday Last Nite Hard to Explain

3.5 rounded down consistent ! but maybe that’s not always the best thing …. too much of a good thing or something like that highlights: last nite, hard to explain, take it or leave it (sep 11 2024)

I came out with a headache but the album is cool. 3/5

Rather monotonous

not sure what to say about the strokes. i feel like i should really like them, but they're just kinda ok. they definitely have a sound. they found themselves. they have some big hits and recognizable songs. i'll give it three stars for quality music with the caveat that i wouldn't listen again without some prompting.

They remind of the Velvet Underground. They also remind me of Railroad Jerk if Railroad Jerk wasn't trying so hard to be hard to listen to. It's fine. I want to give it 2.75 stars but I guess I'll round up.

I remember when this came out and people freaking out about it, but I never quite understood the hype. "Last Nite" is great, and I like "Hard to Explain," "New York City Cops," and "Take It or Leave It," but this never struck me as a generation-defining album or anything. It's fine.

Had to go into my EQ and make sure I hadn't accidentally shelved everything off at 5khz. There's a weird master choice for the the first four songs of the album. I can hear this band's influence in other stuff from the next decade. The guitar stuff going on is fine. Vocals aren't my jam. At least they made sure it's not as annoying as it could be by sitting it so far back in the mix and rolling off everything that's not 1-3khz. Can't decide if this is a 2 or a 3. Everything but the vocals and mix is fine, probably 4 quality. The master gets better partway through the album. The vocals stay awful the whole time. No song sticks out as the hit here, my chosen marker for a 3, but there's enough consistent good across the album, if you ignore the vocals, that I guess it combines to a good song. A 3.

Overhyped. Maybe it "reignited" jangly alt rock at the time, but the actual music just good, not great

I enjoy Strokes songs individually but I find it a bit samey to listen through a full album. Still, it's snappy and distinct.

This was good. A solid 3.5. It started slow, but really caught fire at the end. Is it just me or does their singer always sound either flat OR like he is peaking the mics or both? I don't like his voice. The rhythm section and Instrumentals are GREAT tho. This was a solid listen. The last two songs may have been the strongest part. Liked Songs: "The Modern Age" , "Barely Legal" , "Someday" , "Alone, Together" , "Last Nite" , "Trying Your Luck" , "Take It Or Leave It"

liked songs: Sometimes, Last Night The vocals being "not trying very hard" but also clipping every time it gets loud is grating after a while. Otherwise not bad. 3.25

Someday is a certified banger. Awesome album really enjoyable! 7.3/10

This is solid, ‘00s post-punk/garage rock revival. I like their combo of indie emo, propulsive drums, and rocking out. But it’s nothing super compelling.

Not tooooo captivating, not much material standing out to me??

Some great songs and some just sound the same.

yes. it is it (highly overrated)

Неплохой альбом. Alone, Together и Trying Your Luck достойны внимания.

Is This It is often praised as a landmark album that helped launch the garage rock revival of the early 2000s. With its tight production, short and punchy tracks, and effortlessly cool attitude, it’s become a modern classic for many. But for me, it doesn’t quite hit the mark. Julian Casablancas’ vocals, which some find iconic, come across more irritating than engaging. The distant, filtered sound feels monotonous over time, and I miss a sense of warmth or variation. Musically, it’s tight and stylish, but also a bit too slick and repetitive for my taste. There’s no doubt about the album’s influence and significance, but personally, it leaves me a bit cold. 3/5

Solid but waaaaaay over hyped

I am not a huge Strokes fan but there are a few tracks on this album that I appreciate.

Excellent album! But for what I’m feeling these days just ok

not bad. i liked the popular songs. album got repetitive and was hard to finish.

First song, not a huge fan. A bit too monotone for me. Does convey existential dread pretty well so if that’s the goal it’s done nicely. TBH the vibe is good but I don’t feel any itch to listen to it again.

Enjoyable listen.

Came out when I was 16 and was listened to by those who didn't just go for pop music. They feel like another wave of New York effortless cool. There's a lot of fun riffs/sections; really liked the singles and the opening song.

It was good, but not good enough to be like an album I need to hear

Esse disco, que já foi apontado como a "salvação do rock", foi responsável por um boom de bandas pau mole e, na época que ele saiu, eu só ouvia metal, então com exceção de "Last Nite", o álbum passou batido e só fui ouvir recentemente. E esse jeito mais "despojado", pra não dizer preguiçoso, principalmente do Julian Casablancas cantar, é legal quando não se ouve à exaustão por várias e várias cópias que surgiram depois. Esse disco tem muitas músicas conhecidas, bons refrãos, tudo é bem simples, mas divertido. Vale a importância que tem.

Парни играют в гараже. Простой ритм. Классное гитарное соло на The modern age.

An alltime classic

Decent, but not a classic. Sound pattern gets a bit tired about halfway through the album.

Favorite: Hard To Explain

A couple good songs

Хорошая музыка

Good! 3

I'm not really into this band and their ilk, but the aren't as obnoxious as don't of the others. It all kind of blends together, but it's not bad as background music.

Apart from Last Nite which I remember from when it came out and is a great energetic track, this album just left me a bit cold.

I can remember the media hype around these when this album first came out. I didn't take to them then and still don't now. I just find the Strokes a bit soulless, the understated singing doesn't help either. That said, after listening on repeat a few times, I can warm to, 'is this it' and 'last night' admittedly does have a very catchy hook. I was going to deduct further points for 'barely legal' but can't really make out what it is on about.

Favorites: Barely Legal, Someday, Hard to Explain While over time I have appreciated this album more for what it has done to define indie rock and its more revolutionary sound in the 2000s, I still find that, seven years since I've heard it for the first time, it's not my cup of tea. There are more songs that I've come to appreciate with time and I'm sure the record as a whole will click for me someday (lol). Unfortunately, it's not today.

The only issue i have is his vocals, they are a tad tedious

It cannot be overstated how much of a juggernaut this album and band was when it came out. That raw garage band sound. The upbeat rhythms so sorely needed in the shadow of 9/11. But I never could REALLY get into The Strokes. There was a sort of NYC It-Band Pretentiousness that seemed to permeate their image and the hipster crowds that ate it all up. A silly reason to dismiss a band, but it all just kind of annoyed me. Listening back I appreciate their upbeat tempos, syncopated lyrics and general rawness, but it's still the type of record I'd borrow a few tracks for a mix tape, and not the kind of record I'd spin from front to back. Someday and Last Nite were the radio hits, but for me Hard to Explain is the absolute standout on the album.

Is it this? This is it? It is this. This it is.

Really great rock album, I feel like it was maybe the end of an era. I struggle to think of any rock albums since this that compared. Certainly not many with commercial success.

Between 3 and 4. With a bit more heft I'd go 4, but instead, 3.

Found it a bit samey, easy to listen to but didn’t find it holding my interest the whole way through.

I keep thinking The Strokes is the The Hives, confusing the bands. So I was very excited to see this album come up, but was quickly reminded that this is "the pop version", sort of American version of brit rock and not that hård hitting garage rock från Sveden. It's not a lousy record and there are tracks here I do enjoy listening, but it also has a lot of too lazy strumming.

Pretty all the beats under the songs are really good, but i don't like how the voice was changed. Overall really chill songs.

1 of 2 hitjes, niets bijzonders

fun album!!!! 3/5 #musicsky #albumsky

Great distorted sound on both vocals and guitar. Some nice songs on the album but some songs also didn't speak to me as much, a mixed bag.

I don’t love this band, but the album itself is pretty good. 3.4.

For its time, I’m sure it was a breath for fresh air. The New York indie rock scene of the early 2000’s was a throwback to the ‘70’s vibe. Upon further review, it’s kind of eh. Great guitars, good lyrics but a mish mash of production taking what is supposed to be a raw sound and just turns it muddy. If this is what I cut my teeth on as a teen, I’m sure my outlook would change, but it’s just not my thing.

I really don't like this genre of rock that's characterized by singing/droning into a soup can and lo-fi guitars. This is especially frustrating to me because I know just how good of a voice Julian Casablancas has. I never found myself tapping my foot during this album. For me, the best part of the album was the clean guitar in Trying Your Luck, but mostly because it reminded me of Weezer. This was BAD bad, but I'm glad it was only 36 minutes long. I used the extra time to listen to Julian Casablancas sing something I like on Random Access Memories

I knew a couple of these songs pretty well between so much and modern Age. But I don't know that I've ever listened to the whole album all the way through.

The Strokes know how to keep it simple and just write good songs. Throwback sounds make this a fun listen and Last Nite is a certified hit. 3.5⭐️

Didn't like the whining vocals, especially on the opening title track "Is This It". I liked "Alone, Together" which was reminiscent of The Teardrop Explodes, and "Last Nite" which reminded me of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers.

The songs in this album are better than listening to British pop. My favorite song from this album would be "Take ir or leave it." It has some replay value.

Some cool tunes. I can imagine most of these songs being in a movie soundtrack. Gritty vocals and catchy guitar riffs. Sound is consistent throughout but can get quite repetitive and monotonous.

I've heard all of these songs separately over the last 20 years, but this is a tight album all being said. I enjoyed it quite a bit, I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had heard it for the first time

All songs sounded the same, but it was really fun. There are some standouts that make the album really good.

I never really understood The Strokes. The guitars and drums are extremely repetitive with distorted singing on top. There's barely any tempo changes and the rhythm stays the same. It sounds like a typical indie rock album. The good part is that the album is fairly short.

Un buon rock, del bel ritmo ma nulla di spaziale.

Solid

Last nite is the only good one I really know. Legendary album but okay

This IS it. Not too much, just some nepo babies who put together a bar band, used their connections to flash onto a scene that was a little boring at the time. Here we are.

It was fine.

Some good / great songs, but really let down from their 'signature' vocal production.

ett par ordentliga bangers som bär plattan, ikoniskt altrock-sound men inte riktigt min grej i helhet. kan få en extra halvpoäng.

I bought this record shortly after it came out, there's a couple of good songs on it that got fairly popular. That said, the vocal quality gets annoying after a while, and I don't think the album has held up very well over time. It's just not all that interesting.

The whole album captures more or less the feeling of road trips. The sound I simple and consistent throughout and conveys a feel-good attitude. Seems like this more or less set the sound of indie rock music for that century. Following up with bands such as Arctic Monkeys and Cage the Elephant.

Solid. About 20 minutes too long. 3/5

It has a buzz but no swagger, some great tracks, some great bass but it feels just too well mannered to live up fully to the hype.

How classic indie sound

Bought it not long after the release to hear what the hype was, but I guess I've played the CD only a handful times, as I was not very impressed. Rather underwhelmed now more than 20 years later. A-side is mostly boring, most of the good songs make a late appearance.

pleasant listen, but nothing stands out and it's a little flat 6/10

Title track is aight. The Modern Age is good, sounds like something I'd belt on the dance floor at 42s. Soma is really good. Barely Legal is aight. Someday is an absolute banger. Always liked it. 42s classic and the vibes are relatable. I really really like Alone, Together. Different vibes from previous songs. Will be in regular playlist rotation. Last Nite is aight. Hard To Explain is good. New York City Cops is kinda mid. Album has become quite repetitive. Same with Trying Your Luck. Take It Or Leave It is actually something new on the album, shame it comes last. Overall the album isn't worth a full listen. Some good bangers, mostly just okay songs.

Less dynamic than I recall

Weird that this was seen as a return to gritty nyc. On re-listen, it’s super poppy. Almost an 80’s jauntiness to some of the beats. Just the distorted bullhorn vocals effect and their neuvo-scuzzy look was enough I guess.

Nice album with some really fun moments. It's a unique sound that no one but The Strokes could create.

The Strokes is one of those bands that I always think I should like more but for some reason I don't. They're fine. I enjoyed the album. But nothing stays with me. Nothing makes me want to listen over and over again. There's nothing particularly special. I think they're overrated.

Brighter and bouncier than most of what I think of as millennial rock. Perfectly pleasant.

A punk band I assume. Not my style

a classic, very early 200s rock

I don’t think this aged well. Last Night is the best/most dynamic song here, but the rest are pretty eh

3.5 Perfectly fine, decent, well made. Love that it’s 30 minutes long, I listened to the whole thing twice. You’ll just never get me to understand why white male rock critics from the early 2000s thought (and will STILL insist) that this is one of the greatest and most important albums of the century. It’s wild.

I've always wanted to like this group more than I do. There's nothing wrong with what they're doing. I just never find it all that compelling or memorable.

i liked a couple of tracks, but not in awe of the album overall

They were cool but they weren't very good. This would get 2.5 stars fif I could award it

Good early 2000's Alt. The music is fun and engaging, if not a little repetitive. Feel like this is an album that gets a lot of high praise that didn't hit that level for me. It's good, but not great. Maybe it was more a product of it's time or there is something I'm missing.

fave songs; modern age, last nite, hard to explain and trying your luck. least fave thing about this album is the nekkid album cover.

Eh not all that

I kinda like their sound but I don't tend to want a lot of it at once.

I might like if the vocals weren't so full of angst.

Not bad. Goo dintentions, A bit tiring in the end

Album vraiment sympa à écouter dont le tube Last nite est un petit régal pour les oreilles mais pas qu’hier soir ;-)

I liked it however i would not really listen to it again

Hhhm. I think this is my first time listening to the whole album, mostly I hear singles (well, THE single). It's odd, like they've deliberately chosen boring minimalism. Was that the turn of the century thing? I swear there's at least two consecutive tracks that exactly the same rhythm section. But I know they can be interesting, there are flashes of inspired playing.

The album title is appropriate because I don't get the hype. This is a perfectly fine album, but definitely nothing groundbreaking. It's just a whole lot of sameness.

Litt sånn… kjedelig rock eller slapp punk. Helt kult, men ikke like kult som albumbildet.

Nice rock music that has a fun and not too serious vibe. I've heard a lot of these songs before. The rest of the album is in the same vein as their hit songs, no real surprises. It's a nice listen and I'm sure I will listen to their music again, just maybe not the whole album at once.

Oh yes, the early 2000s! A time when bands were exploding onto the scene with major record label deals that included massive distribution, marketing, and endless radio play on top 10 stations. You know exactly what I’m talking about, right? That’s right, INDIE ROCK! Or at least that’s what this generation of bands was labeled as. “Is This It” by The Strokes was definitely one of those albums. Back then, even though I saw through all the hype, I still thought this album was pretty solid on its own merits. However, relistening to it now, I realize that this generation of music either didn’t age that well or maybe I’m just burned out from it because I heard so much of it 20 years ago.

Good album, but not their best in my opinion

I liked it... I'm familiar with a couple of songs but haven't listened in a long time. I love their angular guitar and bouncy bass sound. Not as strong as later albums, but enjoyable.

This album felt very short, and none of the songs really had that huge of an impact.

Yesterdays album of the #aotdchallenge was “Is This It” by the Strokes. Released in 2001, this was the bands first album. This 11 song track spans a little over 30 minutes in total. It’s a fast paced alt-rock album that has a lot of hits on it. In the album they focus a lot on the rhythm as each member comes at it in their own unique way. With quick guitar riffs, harmonious bass line, and punk rock drums, the band creates a very unique and exciting sound. The lyrics, while nothing special, go along really well with the songs and act as another layer to the music rather than it’s own thing. Overall I’m going to give this album a 8.1. I really enjoyed this album and will definitely be listening to more of them soon!

It’s alright. I don’t love it, but it’s not necessarily bad music. Not interesting though.

freaky

liked it more, iconic punky energy

A couple of songs stand out, and I like that this band stood out over a lot of industry-(dying industry)-driven music from its time.

This album feels like being 22. Youth, lust, love, drugs, booze & rock n roll, it's all there. It probably has something to do with the age I was when it came out, but I feel a lot of nostalgia when I listen to it. I've always appreciated the gritty yet poppy vibe of this record and while it's not one of my favorite albums, I still listen to it a few times a year.

Pretty good but samey - only stand outside are Someday, Last Nite (of course) and Hard To Explain

I listened to this for the first time prior to even starting this project. It's really nostalgic to me, because it was recommended to me by one of my favourite painters. However, later on, around 3 months after that conversation, he got exposed on the internet for faking being russian and being extremely xenophobic towards ukrainian and polish people (me!). So i have some weird feelings attached to this. But it's a pretty solid indie-sounding record. Not my usual stuff, though. Favourite track is Soma.

I kind of liked this. Some of it reminds me of another group. A fun album.

Für mich ein durchschnittliches Album ohne herausragende Höhepunkte.

It was pretty good. I wasn't tempted to turn it off at any stage, so it passed the "fuck me, this is shit" test. I didn't re-listen to any of the tracks or the whole album so it failed the "that was great\good and I'd like to hear it again" test.

Fine album with a bunch of nice songs, but not something that really leaves a lasting impact on me. All the songs are pretty simple and catchy and I really like the way they muffled and ''lo-fi'd'' the singing here. The Strokes aren't really a bad I would think of often if not for their impact on the music world. Other artists have since made garage rock revival albums that I'd rather like to listen to. The runtime is also pretty short and it doesn't have the best and coolest Strokes song on this album.

ugh

Overall solid. Not a giant fan and nothing really jumps out at me. Good solid old-style true analog sounding rock which I appreciate. Just nothing crazy good from my perspective. Didn't need to skip or anything and enjoyed it - just not a huge game-changer for me. Favorite: nothing really stood out Listen End to End Without Skips Rating: 7 - nothing I disliked honestly - just nothing that I truly loved

I never think to myself, "Let's listen to the Strokes". About sums it up, really. Three stars.

The Strokes is always good vibes. I always dug them when they first came out. Been well over a decade or more since I've gave em a listen. Good stuff.

En fullt godkänd platta.

I’m so conflicted. To me, this album is both great and unremarkable all at the same time. I like it enough that I own a physical copy. I enjoy it when I’m listening to it, and it’s got a great vibe to it - but I never reach for it to listen to. Everything I like about it, I like something else in my collection better. Firmly in the 3 star category for me.

Garage grunge that feels more synchronized than most within the genre. Beautiful album. While someday and last nite are the songs I grew up on moreso- I actually liked Trying Your Luck the most on the album.

It's pretty decent. It's the type of music you would hear in Sunset Overdrive, nothing crazy though. Top 3 Favorites: Someday, Hard To Explain, and Is This It 3.25-3.50/5

Gear: Focalman Cleardara Artwork: ⬜🍑🧤 Production: 🤔🙂👌 Music: 🎸🎤🚬🔁 Rating: 🍑🍑(🍑)/5

The garage band from New York exceeded my low expectations. Some catchy tunes, and overall their album gets three stars.

I always thought The Strokes were a 90's band. That non-sequitur aside, this album sounded pretty good to me.

Huh. This is a solid one that I feel like I'll grow into. This is especially weird since I don't particularly love it, but I've been playing it on repeat all day cause it's good background noise. It's in that type of Phoneboy, Good Kid kinda style that I like. I'll give it a 3 for now. No complaints.

teen movie music it's fun, it's enjoyable to listen to. makes me feel like im in a movie and im sitting in the car staring out the window, thinking about how different my life is about to be once we reach our destination. don't think it's my taste in music but it ain't bad. fave track: Alone, Together

Wasn't too bad and I enjoyed listening to some songs (also would listen to some again). But a lot of them sounded quite similar in my ears and it was a bit too stressful in some stretches. But good guitar play

Anorektisk röv på omslaget. Känns 2001. Annars är det helt okej. Bra lyssning som uppskattades.

Inte min genre och har svårt för när sången är distad och mixad så långt bak, blir lite för mycket fritidsgårdskänsla för min smak, vilket jag tycker gäller även musikaliskt i övrigt (t ex trummorna). Bortsett från detta så är det helt okej och finns några bra låtar.

Modern punk roxk

Nice surprise and fun listen. Not sure of the significance, but enjoyable

It’s fine. It didn’t age as well as I’d think. The stokes always sort of fell a bit flat for me. Not much has changed. 2.5 for the bops.

Catchy if not inventive 00s indie.

its decent, bit samey.

Liked a few songs.

Honestly, this record doesn't do a lot for me. It's fairly easy listening, and a few tracks are recognisable/fun to dance to in a pub/normie wedding setting. This kind of rock doesn't necessarily sit within my tastes, but it makes for good background music.

I remember when this came out and people were talking it up. I didn't get it then and I still don't. There's certainly nothing wrong with it, but the whole faux retro thing just makes me want to listen the originals instead. I suppose it's a fine inclusion on the list if only because it presaged a host of other, even worse imitators, who I suppose you could categorize as a "sound" in itself.

Siglo XXI??. Correcto

i’ve never listened to a full strokes album until now. i don’t think i was missing much. i liked the title track though fav songs: is this it

really catchy album that highlights the masterful use of vocal filters and straightforward guitar work from the Strokes. Big fan.

This sound is so nostalgic because I looooved Someday in high school and their sound really is pretty distinct and associated with a certain period of my music taste, so it’s hard to hear this for what it is but I did try. I enjoyed the first half a lot but it did get kind of monotonous by the end because that distinctive sound took over and was all I could hear; it was like the whole album was painted over with a Strokes-colored wash. I think these songs would be great next to ones by other bands but all together they kind of blend together. *Best tracks: Someday, Last Nite, Hard to Explain*

better than the new stuff

I definitely have some nostalgia for this one. Not sure it really holds up but I didn't mind revisiting it today.

Not bad but not very memorable.

Probably the last indie guitar album that I can hum every note and sing every line to. I played this a lot at the time it came out. But it always felt like something is missing here. I couldn't say what, but maybe it just all feels a bit too knowing, a little too calculated. Perhaps there is a lack of soul. Maybe it's the lyrics: they sort of mean everything and nothing at the same time - New York City Cops for a start. What does it all mean? Does it mean anything at all? Or does it just sound good with that Indie Post-Punk riffing behind it? Who knows?

Effortlessly cool. Almost too easy. It felt fresh at the time, but now sounds rather stale following a set formula. The Strokes as a concept band were fun. But they put genuine FUCK YOU indie back by about a decade.

This album certainly sounds like my childhood in the early 2000's. Unfortunately, whatever points it would gain from nostalgia are negated by how overplayed some of these songs have been in the ensuing two decades. The music itself is fine (and the guitar work is great in a lot of places!), but overall I am just slightly above apathetic about this album. Favorite track: "Alone, Together" (mostly because of the aforementioned guitar)

The songs are all pretty good with a few standouts like someday last nite this is it and barely legal but his voice and the filter is a little grating and the songs are very similar

Kind of missed these at the time, I remember the hype but never got round to listening for myself. Glad I have now, excellent debut album with some proper earworm tracks! Just downloaded their follow up album so I’ll give that a spin later.

Familiar songs. Soft pink vibe

Fun listen. I have a few singles, never listened to a complete album. Enjoyable.

Weak vocals. Nothing special about the musicianship. Overall, just average.

Feeling 15 again. Did not expect this one to be in the list. While undeniably strong, the album's intensity makes it more of a concentrated experience than a casual repeat listen.

Another one that I didn’t really pay attention to at the time as it felt like lots of similar bands were about then, but always enjoyed the singles. A toe tapper but a bit samey for me (can’t currently listen with earphones so maybe that would change things!)

Meh. One song is good, the rest is meeeeh.

An album and artist I know very little about. Great energy behind their music. Definitely one for listening with headphones. The energy, message and quality is definitely enhanced with better focus to the brain!

Is this it: 5/10 The modern age: 5/10 Soma: 5/10 Barely legal: 6/10 Someday: 10/10 Alone, together: 5/10 Last nite: 10/10 Hard to explain: 8/10 New York City cops: 8/10 Trying your luck: 6/10 Take it or leave it: 7/10

Nice sound. A lot of the songs sounded the same but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

I thought ok simple punkish

Enjoyable and quick relisten for me. Maybe not their best album but the two punch of Someday and Last Nite is the perfect snapshot of The Strokes in my mind. (3.5/5)

hmmmm idk ich hans nöd so gern wie sini stimm ufgno isch, immer dur en liechte "filter" oder wiemmer das wett nenne d lieder selber sind bis jz voll easy, aber s het mi na nüt umghaue iwie sind d lieder fast echli z churz, zum sie richtig fasse? weiss nöd, han bis jz alles na cool gfunde aber ja hard to explain isch na cool hahah hobbla scho fertig. ja ich verstah ufgrund vo dem album nöd so, wie so d strokes so gross sind ehrlich gseit schlecht ischs nöd, aber ebe irgendwie gitsmer eifach z wenig?

Hard to beat “Last Night” and “Someday” as classics in the jangle punk genre. When I think ‘I do like the Strokes’, I now believe myself to be saying hat I like those songs. The rest of the album, to quote Osama, let me drift off, disinterested. But in the rock world, 2 out of 11 will get you 3 out of 5

Classic early 2000s New York album. You can almost trace a direct line back 30 years to the stooges. At times sounded a bit like vampire weekend to me as well. Don’t listen to this often but when it’s on I enjoy it.

Not particularly familiar with The Strokes, but definitely recognise the album art, that shit is iconic. Honestly though, I had high hopes for this one, especially since it's so critically acclaimed; but it wasn't all that grand. It was good, don't get me wrong, but it felt pretty flavourless and lacking in depth. I'm sure there's some British Indie freak out there who thinks this is the best thing since sliced bread, but honestly this really doesn't do that for me and I can't see myself coming back to any of the songs on this record in a massive hurry.

The peak of “songs I’ve heard before somewhere else but don’t know the name”. An album of very groovy, poppy rock music. I like it, but there’s not many I’d be tearing to go back to. Famous for having an album cover you could have a pull to, except in the US where it was decided the general populace were too scared of pussy.

Look indie-rock ain't my thing but I can see why this album is on this list. The sound this album produces is something i feel like a lot artist would try to make themselves on their own albums and songs. I liked it but I wouldn't go out of my way for this again. 3/5.

All the songs blended together into a just okay smoothie, although there was still some small chunks of unique sounding songs in that smoothie that were pretty good.

If I had to judge an album by it's cover, the first thing I thought of was Spinal Taps, "Smell the Glove" That being said, the album itself was pretty good. The vocalist definitely feels like the weakest link, but it does work great on certain songs. (Last Nite) for example. I don't know that I will return to the album, but I definitely wouldn't mind if someone else put it on, so I think that leaves me with a 3

This is an album that brought back memories of college for me. It was played a lot back then in dorms and apartments. I think it is a solid album. I would give it a 3.5 out of 5. I don’t give it a higher score just because there are some songs on the album in my opinion that are just okay and not super amazing. The two biggest hits do help my overall score to be higher than say 3. It’s a great album if you are in the mood for its 60’s type rock sound.

None of the tracks really caught my attention. The music for what it is was fine, but in no way fantastic. I feel like I hear this sound but more refined in other later bands, so in that sense it's probably an important album - just not a great one for me. I can't sing a line from a single track on here today 1 day later, and in a few days you could probably play one of the tracks for me and ask me if I know it and I'd say I'd never heard it before. Standouts - 3/5

Good album, just don’t tell Spotify cos it will never stop suggesting Strokes songs to me. 3.5

Somebody get him a new microphone. Nice cover art tho

Wel aardig opzich.

Heard of but never listened to The Strokes. Decent album that I really enjoyed.

Is This It gets an "it's fine" from me. Don't mind listening to it but there wasn't anything special that'd make me want to return to it. Recognized a couple of songs.

Sounds good, but a bit too much of the same

Good album when it’s good, lame when it’s lame.

Yes, it is, and it was okay. It could have been so much better. Favorite Song: "Is This It".

I’ll have to give this one another chance. I love indie rock, and the Strokes have been doing it for a long time, but something about the singer’s mechanized/auto-tuned voice just bothered me. I wonder how they sound live.

this album was pretty good but it felt kind of samey. none of the songs really stood out at all and the album left no impression on me

ok.. but nothing too standout for me.. just a bit... samey

I remember I used to love this album, time has definitely changed that. Several songs have the same tempo and its easy to feel like they kinda melt together. Or some songs have a great verse, but then a weird bridge kicks in. Modern Age is still great! But I'm happy to move on from this one.

Classic

El álbum fue bastante bueno 👍

it’s got hooks and charm but it’s so sick and degenerate it’s kind of a drag

Best song on the album was Last Nite. Never listen to The Strokes before, I have heard of them. The album was okay, a bit meh but a couple of tracks I may listen to again.

Ok

The first half of the album didn't work for me, but as the soundscape expanded into the second half i enjoyed the music substantially more. The distorted, band passed vocal, (possibly a broken speaker cone?) was quite grating early on. But as the music became more harmonic and the rhythms more interesting I think it was able to fit the balance a little more nicely.

Memorable album cover but somehow I don’t think I have ever listened to any of their stuff before. I am a fan of some of the artists who have been inspired by this jaunty, narrative style of indie rock. After a listen to a few more tracks by The Strokes I did a bit of a revisit of some of my favourite Arctic Monkeys albums. There’s something about a UK take on this sound that I prefer but that being said there are tracks on this album I will come back to.

not the biggest fan of indie rock but it was cute

Is this it? It was already I guess...

3/5

When this album hits it really hits. Doing the early aughts proud. The deep cuts aren't amazing, though. I didn't find the full album particularly revelatory.

This is a good listen. They clearly have skills and know what they're doing putting together hit songs that aren't just earworms. I don't think I'd hunt it out myself but I wouldn't hate it if I was somewhere and this was playing.

It has a decent energy, but it all sounds kind of the same. The singles are catchy. Not a fan of the vocal mixing choice. This is a 2.5.

Can’t complain, album was actually pretty good. Good vibes. Ended up liking quite a few and can see myself coming back.

3.5

Solid. Has a couple really catch tunes but also a bit of filler. Like it don’t love it.

I don't understand why people like the Strokes so much. Seen them live and didn't dig it then either.

These 2000s fuzzy indie rock bands are just so boring to me...

# 296 : They've done a pretty decent job. I think Its OK, I could listen to it, The Strokes know how to keep it simple and just write good songs. Fave Track : Last Nite

Find the strokes voice a bit annoying but not a bad album 5/10

The Strokes helped shape the sound of the early 2000's with this debut and it will always bring me right back to that time. It feels a little young now but it holds up well enough. They have a simple formula but it works, pretty solid track list, slightly vintage feel on the distortion. They were in the right place at the right time with this one.

Medio aburrido y repetitivo. No me encantó.

:/ not as bad as i thought but i wont forgive this band

The Strokes are quite an understated band. I like their stuff.

turn of the century riffs, not a fan of the vocals

I missed this album at the time - I think there must have been other stuff going on in September of 2001. First impressions are of a Britpop band trying to sound American. Second impressions came during the track New York City cops (understandably dropped from later re-releases) when it turned out to be an American band doing Britpop about five years late. Not bad though, with some Stooges style vibes. Minus points for a truly awful album cover though.

I often say that I feel like the 60s through the 90s have signature sounds, but the 2000s and 2010s are just kind of mush, but this album has proven me wrong. The mid 2000s absolutely have a sound, and it’s this. There are about a dozen bands that sound just like this, but I guess you’d say the strokes were the torch-bearers. I don’t know what you call the sound, or if they were the best at it, but they, and this album, are a time capsule to the mid-2000s.

i've always thought i don't like the strokes... and now i can see that that's unfortunately true. they just don't work for me sadly even though there's nothing i theoretically object to i just don't like it. someday is my fave song i think. 3

I'd have given this a much lower rating 10 years ago.

Listened to it sat at a tram stop and barely noticed it even though the tram was 20 minutes late.

The fact that this was one of the best albums of the early 2000's says a lot more about that decade for music than it does about this album!!! It was fine though, I enjoyed it enough.

Fairly repetitive, nothing stands out. Still nice to listen to

i love the punk rock vibes

Reminds me of Barfly circa 2002. It's a good album but it does lack variety and I can't say I'm particularly inspired to play it again.

Yeah, umm, Not bad.

Last Nite is the obvious highlight, the rest of the album is a bit samey but in a good way.

Highlights: Someday, Last Night, Alone Together, New York City Cops. In a nutshell: a band who revived garage rock in the 2000’s. The Strokes have an indescribable pull to them. They borrow from Iggy and the Stooges, Ramones, etc. There are some recycled riffs. I still prefer Franz Ferdinand but no love is lost for the band who crafted the sound first. Overall: 6/10

Too many of this music I‘ve listen… yes, not bad but nothing incredible… 5/10

Decent, but listening to the album a lot of it sounds very samey and seemed to blend into each other.

Definitely a quintessential garage rock album from the early 2000s

Even The Strokes being the #1 band of skinny boys wearing skinny pants and suits, I listened to so many better indie rock bands (like Muse) that I can't stand their washed-out/drink-for songs. "Last Nite" is a fun song; no one can deny it, but it's just fun. Or I am black and can't stand this epitome of whiteness.

Independent rock schön für die doko runde

They have their hits, the album from A-Z is a bit boring though

It’s very good, smooth, clear, cool rock ‘n’ roll…but it’s just a little bit dull. Evan with multiple listens, nothing to complain about, quite enjoyable, and the best tracks are pretty fun, but nothing stands out as particularly memorable.

i feel like i should love this album, but it just doesn’t hit for me ☹️ i’ve listened to it probably three or so times over the years, but i always feel like there’s something missing… Someday is a fantastic song though.

Mukavaa rallattelua. Joskin laulajan laiska tyyli käy pidemmän päälle raskaaks. Last Niten laulun kaltaista olis pitäny olla enemmän

Alright. Pretty meh besides like 2 songs

It's okay. Good music but it doesn't catch me. Most likely because I've heard songs like it already. Maybe those songs were influenced by this album but I heard those first.

Não é o meu tipo

I liked it, but in a “middle of the road” sorta way. Nothing stood out and blew me away, considering its indie cred status. The original UK album cover, too risqué for us pearl-clutching Americans, was absolute genius.

It's a decent album. The two of the better known songs "Someday" and "Last Nite" are the best imo 3.5/4

Like this album. Nice guitar sound

A solid presentation letter. 7/10

This album came out my senior year of high school when I was also working in a major chain record store, so I heard a ton of it and it really takes me to a specific time and place. The album holds up pretty well, aside from the decision to put the same distortion on the vocals on every single track. It serves a purpose on some songs, but on others it just has the effect of making the entire album very same sounding.

Listened Before? N Surprisingly good. I believe this album contributed to some of the lo fi trend of the early 2000s. Last Nite is a bit overplayed, but I enjoyed the record overall, and it doesn't drag on forever so I may revisit it. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Hard to Explain

It's a fine alternative album, although I think the blown out, distorted vocals are super overdone. I knew it was really hyped up coming in, so the album title is basically how I felt after listening

It's a 3 bordering to a 4 for me. I think it needs time to settle with me before I say I might like it.

Solid rock album. Someday and Last Nite are the sure standouts. I remember Last Nite being in my repertoire of printed guitar tabs, it takes me back to my teen years to hear this again.

That was nothing next please.

They have a very distinct style and thankfully it didn’t get too tired by the end. My favorite was “Last Nite.”

It was fine. Nothing really stood out to me.

Wish I enjoyed this sort of music more. It's good, I know it's good, but it hasn't won me over just yet.

Fine, good tracks, but samey, might grow on me

It was good, but I didn’t like the singer guys voice at all.

05/12/2024 D̶a̶t̶ ̶a̶s̶s̶ I've only heard their top hits, but after hearing the album, I'm genuinely disappointment at how "hyped-up" The Strokes are. Don't get me wrong, "Is This It" has got some good Brit pop. Some songs are warm and catchy, and "Last Nite" is especially awesome. My complaint though is that majority of "Is This It," excluding the 'famous' songs, follow the same arrangements. The album ends up being monotonous with little diversity.

The highs were as high as I remember, but I didn't really like the album front-to-back.

Like a few songs but listening all at once was too much of the same thing over and over

Best song: Last Nite Vibe: high energy loneliness themes: listless frustrated yearning

Not bad

Good listen. 3/5

Fine. 3-stars.

It's good but not anywhere near as good as people say. It feels like it's always about to go into another gear but never quite does. High 3 seems fair?

I know there are people in my demographic who LIVE for this album. But I wasn’t mindful of, or paying attention to this group when it came out. I had my head stuck firmly in the neon hair rocking 80s instead. There’s stuff here I like for sure, but it doesn’t have the small nostalgic chokehold on me that it does for my peers. The raspy punky pleading vocals are good. The music starts to feel a bit samey the longer it goes on. But it’s a short record and there’s merit here. I enjoyed this one. Better late than never I suppose?

I have liked this record for a long time. I initially got into it a few years after it was released, thanks to my sister who had a copy laying around that became stapled to my discman (these were the days). To me it's music that is really evocative of a specific time and place - the early 2000 and the whole rock revival after grunge petered out into endless not so great things and after nu-metal took over (in the US) and brit pop started to fade. It seemed that at that time there was much to listen to that had this kind of grit and amateurishness that band like the Strokes, the Libertines or the White Stripes brought over. That was a breath of fresh air for the fan that I was at the time. This is not particularly original, but it works. It is, in some ways, manufactured too: there is an affected boredom and laziness to Casablancas's vocals and the whole thing seems very intentionally produced to sound somewhat sloppy. But it works. It's got a pretty great bouncy energy about it. I love the bouncy bass, the guitars are pretty sharp (as in cutting and edgy). It manages to sound quite primitive and simple while staying sophisticated. There is also a sense of looming disenchantment and melancholy that is never quite far, like in Alone, Together, or Last Nite that will become more prevalent in their later records and make them, in my view, more interesting. This record also got me back to listen to the sources of this sound, back to being fascinated by the mix of grit and artsy of 70s NY punk-rock. Come to think of it, this was kind of a bridge towards these ancestors. And it brings quite a lot of charm to this process even as you suspect how manufactured the tears in these tight fitting jeans are.

I feel like ive heard this album before on this list. I get that a lot of people like it, but it is just so... bland. Like so many rock albums, it is loud, abrasive and at times politically engaged. There's nothing unique and exciting about it. I'm not saying I hated it (and it was mercifully short), it's just that this scene completely passed me by in 2001 and I do not have the fuzzy nostalgic feelings that could make it a classic in my eyes.

reminds me of college

A good album. They're not my favourite band, owing to a couple of my personal dislikes around the musical style. But it's good.

So so

A pretty solid album of 2000s era guitar rock.

I loved this album when I was younger. Doesn't do it for me anymore. 2.5/5

Loved this album when i first discovered it Felt it had a great mix of rock licks and a punk style on a slower tempo I don’t find that it aged as well, but still nostalgic to hear 3,5

okay album not reat, but not bad either

Fun, but wouldn’t own it.

It was okay, I guess.

A lot of nostalgia for me in this one. Just narrowly misses a 4.

Strong lyrics, solid bass and guitar riffs. Only knock is a lot of the songs sound the same. Solid album. Will download and listen some more.

This may not be life changing, but it’s catchy as hell. That said, it’s less than 40 minutes long and by the last quarter it was all starting to sound the same and I was tired of it. Can you tell I wrote this review while listening? The importance of listening all the way until the end.

Enjoyable, easy to listen to, and a couple of catchy tunes, but nothing that blows me away. 3.5 stars.

I used to listen to this a lot, but it doesn't seem as good as i remember as a full album. There's 4 really, really great singles and the rest is a bit forgettable.

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Pretty basic and simple rock music, four beats to the bar, banging away most of the time. Not.something you call sophisticated but it has energy and swagger.

A provocative cover which promises so much yet the music delivers so little.

Great singles on this album. All sounds the same!

Groove rock, rythym guitar keeps the beat and the bass feels more lead/solo, I can see how it was a hit as contrast to typical rock sound

Gave it a second listen to decide of its a 3 or 4. It's a 3

This was interesting. Didn't love it, didn't dislike it, won't remember it next month.

They don’t jive with me. Boring vocals and voice

Not my cup of tea.

I don’t get all of the hype around this band. This is a fine album and I thought some of the guitar parts were really, really good but that’s about it. Maybe they’ve had a lot of influence on bands who came a little later? Not good enough to make me want to hear it again.