Is This It

Very nostalgic as I listened to this and other albums by the strokes during high school. Hard to explain is a particularly stand out track and honestly better than anything else on the album. Sounds quite different to the other stuff.

looks like garage rock's not my thing

Love a few of the songs last night is overplayed, but is a fantastic song take it or leave it. It’s probably my favorite because it makes me dance.

This record starts strong, and ends even stronger. An opening act titled 'Is This It?' gives way to a beep bop of iconic distorted vocals, 90/00's rhythms, and melodic goodness. When I listen to this album I am taken to the basement of Manhattans grungiest; where Casablancas' has repeatedly stated was the local of their best days performing live. I saw The Strokes live in 2022 at Barclays, from the corner of the third level - and could barely hear them. It was fine. We left those seats after two songs and bargained for floor tickets from one of the security guys. We smoked some of the joint kindly offered from the men in front of us (actually, I think I asked them for it) and I'm pretty sure it was laced with something (good) - it was either that or the undeniable euphoria of nostalgia that got me, but I was got. Dancing among brooklynites with a good friend, high off something, and listening to the chord progressions that defined so many moments of my childhood. It was a special night. This is a special album.

Easy 5. Era-defining album.

First of all, this album cover really threw me for a loop because I knew the US cover way back when. After that got sorted, I was excited to revisit this after not having listened to it in ages. It definitely still holds up and is a really strong debut album! I guess it just isn’t really my taste anymore, but still a fun listen.

Nice afternoon listen.

Literally some of my favorite songs of all time

Boring

Very good! Love the base strumming.

10/10

Very good, classic sound for the era. Too short if anything.

Really good album end to end. Only miss was maybe NYC Cops but even that has its moments.

Well, isn't this just the bouncy ball of fun!? Never heard it before but glad I got the chance today. A definite keeper.

Never been through this before. From a 20-year distance, this was pretty cool. A really big change from the grunge and post-grunge sounds that came before. Some really catchy songs.

Favourite songs: Last Nite, Someday, Hard to Explain, The Modern Age, Barely Legal New York City Cops Least favourite songs: Is This It 4/5

the stronks 🗣️

Never quite "got" the Strokes, I see why people do but it just doesn't do it for me for some reason. Never bought the CD or put their songs on playlists, but don't mind listening, just don't seek it out.

This album is such a joy. Every single track is catchy and awesome. I was already pretty familiar with the album. I could listen to it over and over.

Considered giving it a 4, but couldn't find anything to knock it over. So, it earns a 5.

Hipster sleaze classic.

The album that killed Nu-Metal. I’ve never listened to the whole album before but the album as a whole is prettty good. The single’s definitely stand out though.

Absolute banger of a debut album!!! Not a bad song start to finish. I’ve loved this album since I first heard it at 12/13 years old plus it includes the first song I ever learned on bass guitar New York City Cops. This album is one of the best debut albums of all time in my opinion but it is right up my street musically so it might now hit that way for most.

Outstanding album, always worth a relisten

Good album

It's the Strokes. Always funny to see an album I don't recognize for it to turn out to be something I know quite well. I find it funny that a NY based band got their album approved and released around the world, but were forced to delay for FCC related reasons. Some Day and Last Nite are obvious eternal indie garage songs. They really did bring a whole energy back into that kind of music that helped inspire a cavalcade of bands into the Aughts and beyond

Brilliant. I listened 3 times in a row.

Superb album, every song on it is perfect and I loved it

5/5 Every song is a banger. No skips, never bored and groovy. love it for the 3rd album :-)

I remember this album in heavy rotation when I was younger. It had a raw garage sound while being polished at the same time. Soma, Someday, and Last Night are among the best tracks. Overall a great album from the early 2000s.

It's a solid album, I admit I have overlistened to it so it doesn't slap like it used to but I still think it warrants a 4/5

So I've listened to tis album a few times now and I'm still torn on how to rate. I did enjoy my listens, but I did think quite a few songs sounded very similar. Not that it's a bad thing. I love Bon Scott (real AC DC) and some folks seem to think a lot of their songs sound like each other. Anyway, the band brought energy and a lot of upbeat tunes. I would call this a fun album, but nothing stood out as a mind blower. I have heard Last Night before this list, but I would not have been able to you the name of the band. My first listen was at the gym and brought some good energy so I think I may dive into some of their other music. There was one line that seemed to stand out to me. In Barely Legal, he says "I want it all, but I jut can't figure out." Me neither, brother. I had fun. I enjoyed. I did not download anything, but I'm going to check out more. 3.5 but scoreboard will show a 3

Maybe I'm in the minority but I like the US cover more than the original. Idk I think it represents the sound of the album better. Captures my imagination more. Anyway this sounded more like Weezer than I expected. Really good basslines on this album. Very impressive. Last Nite is still my favorite song on here. So Iconic. By the end I liked more than I thought I would. Would probably listen again. 3

4 An album I slept on for years because I didn’t like the song Last Nite, and man, was I missing out - this was great. You could definitely point to a lot of it as sounding the same, but when you have indie rock with pop sensibility down to a science like these guys do here, you earn that right - at no point did I ever want or feel like this album needed to steer in a different direction. And despite that, I still felt like each song did a sufficient job of establishing its own identity, with Someday, Hard to Explain, The Modern Age, and the closing track Take It or Leave It jumping out to me as immediate favorites (I would also recommend checking out New York City Cops, a song that was removed from the American release last minute due to the events of 9/11 happening weeks before). It really doesn’t feel like this album should work as well as it does given its simple, compact style of production, but somehow that adds to its indie charm, and in doing so, probably redefined the genre for the decade ahead. There’s a pretty distinct difference in the sound between 90s and 00s alternative rock, and for me, I think this album denotes that dividing line. While I’d still walk away from this saying that Last Nite is my least favorite track, I can say I developed an appreciation for everything here and that I’m interested to check out more of their stuff.

Classic

Leukie, staan echt wel een paar bangers op, wpuld listen again

The Strokes are the epitome of "just fine" to me. I like their music, but I'm not excited by it. 3/5

beautiful classic

Someday (5) and Last night (7) bangers

One of my favourite albums of all time - loved it from my very first listen - my introduction to The Strokes and it changed my life! There's something in Julian Casablancas' vocals that compliments the music so well, and I love the understated chord structures.. it just reeks of effortless cool. To a 90's child growing up around boybands and other like-music coming out at the time, this was a breath of fresh air... I will always come back to this album.

Pretty good but I find the structures a bit repetitive and unexciting (as with back in the day). It's not something I'd ever want to listen to more than twice.

bad

It was a really good album. A few classics with a few good new songs for me. It was short and straight to the point.

LP

Entertaining, brings back memories 🦭 Highlight: New York City Cops

This is not it, but it's getting close

Probably more like 4 stars, but this album had a big influence on me in high school. It was the first time I heard modern music that sounded like it could have been from the 70s. It was really different than all the alternative that got so much play on Z104.5. This album suggested to me that there was a lot of world outside of Tulsa. I must have listened to it 500 times. It's tight with almost no filler--it doesn't overstay its welcome.

Revisiting after years, Is This It feels like cool shades at the beach. This catchy, sometimes driving album, despite many clones, still sounds unique in its genre, and like a Beatles record in the way each song could be a radio hit. For me these tracks are not about musicianship, but about the feels.

I missed the awesomeness, was pretty good though.

Album #35 Do you like garage rock? Do you like trust fund kids sounding grimey? Then I have the album for you! In all honesty, I enjoy this album, and its follow-up. It's nothing incredible, just straight, dirty rock and roll which was released during the end of the Nu-Metal days. The album is short and sweet, so it doesn't have time to grow stale. 3.5* rounded up to 4*. 4*

Rock. Not very interesting. Do not understand the hype of the band.

Hard to listen to an entire album with the same processed vocals. Last Night is the big hit. Basic rock with a hint of punk.

Love this album. Sonmanyngreatbsongs.

Just fantastic, I own this album and have listened to it hundreds of time. Felt special from the first listen, fresh and different, great guitar and vocals, pared back and urgent. And I'm sure then influenced bands like the Arctic Monkeys later

good vibes, didnt realize it was more modern rock

Little flat for me, but still decent.

Defined a whole decade of rock. So catchy and the band is incredibly tight.

Yeah okay

Classic reminder of my early 2000s debauchery. Had it burned from Kazaa or something and it didn’t leave my car cd player for months. A no skip album, masterpiece.

LOS AMOOOOOOOO 9/10

Sick album. Lots of rocking tunes.

What an amazing album. Full of fuzzy guitars and distorted vocals, filled with the sounds and experiences of New York. At a time just before 9/11, The Strokes were able to bust through into one of the most critically acclaimed albums of the decade. Who went onto go and inspire a whole gamut of British rock bands including the likes of The Libertines and the Arctic Monkeys. It is truly a crime that it only made No. 33 in the US charts. Best: Last Nite Worst: Take It Or Leave It 4.5 Stars

Barely Legal Someday Last Nite Basically every song is a classic

Quit before the end. It felt like being hammered over the head with the same song on repeat, and while there's sometimes something to tap your foot to (I was on a treadmill), there's a huge void at the center of the album where a better vocalist should be. Just embarrassing. Straining so hard to sound like Lou Reed, but no amount of distortion or effects could fix it. Always liked the album cover, though.

4/5. I was already a casual fan of the Strokes, but this made me appreciate them even more.

im so sad this is a good album mostly or something i still hate it and i hate you

Amazing album, it sets a punk-ish tone with nice riffs.

Ok

Absolutely amazing album which had a huge influence in todays music

Yy

Not a bad album, I just don't get the hype as I feel it is pretty weak compared to some of the band's other albums. Even for a debut album, I must admit I was never really impressed by Is This It. It might have something to do with the fact that I have always been a great fan of The Killers' Hot Fuzz, ITI's direct rival, which is, IMHO, far superior on every aspect. Still, ITI is a good listen.

The international cover is here to clear up any ambiguity around the name of this band. Step aside life altering medical events, this is band is focused on the phallus. The US cover, given our puritanical roots, leaves things more open to interpretation. You might even say that the US cover is semantically flexible enough that the listener is invited into the lyrics and music of the album in order to make their own interpretation as to what this band is about. It doesn't take long, of course, to come to understand the themes of the band, but in that brief moment between the one and the other a listener can experience the levity and light of a record that holds the promise of more. And yet, at a brisk 36 minutes running time, the listener might finish and ask "Is this it?"

charmingly awful vocals with new york city cops - 4 with when it started - 4.5

I was going to try to be critical and not just auto give it a 5 rating, but this is just a very well put together album. Some amazing hits on here. Great length and lyrical composition.

I love The Strokes and this is a fantastic album. Catchy, reverent, weird, and eccentric. This is rock and roll.

heard several times previously. Is This It got stuck in my head later. listened to getting ready for work, driving there, and while walking jerry and driving home.

In the early 2000s, alternative (basically anything but pop) was languishing. Grunge had run its course, rapcore was making us ill, and EDM was something for the clubs but not the radio. Then, along comes the Strokes. Raw like punk but with songs like OG pop, they were a breath of fresh air and kicked off the retro revival movement of the 2000s. Soon after bands like the White Stripes, Kaiser Chiefs, and Hives were reminding us of what rock music was supposed to be, Besides being influential, it's also just packed with great songs. Last Night, the best known song on the album, is the story many of us have lived. "Is This It" is raw, unadulterated, and vital.

Pleasant enough, very repetitive. I used to like a lot of these songs when I was younger Saved tracks: Barely Legal, Someday, Last Night

Soooooo two minded about this: on the one hand I loved every single second of this album with the creative riffs and catchy lyrics but I also felt it got a little stale towards the end. Taking away these second thoughts from after it was an almost perfect album. The Strokes are one of those bands which are just so solid and will be a cheeky safe listen whenever they come on aux. I will have to say I will be listening to it again.

Some absolute bangers (New York City Cops, Last Nite, Take It Or Leave It). Some tracks haven't aged as well. So much youthful energy and swagger that could not be replicated in their future albums. Very influential on the next decade of "indie" guitar music (Kings of Leon went on to become probably the most popular band in the world for a few years by basically changing their sound to copy the Strokes). 2001 teenaged me would have hit 5 stars without a second thought. 2023 me agonised for ages over whether it still deserves 5 stars. I have finally got off the fence and decided it still deserves 5 stars (just)

At 36 minutes this is a really short album, but that means there's no filler. It's a great album

better than I remember but still a bit wet

This is it.

One of the best rock albums released during early 21st century. An ode to garage NYC rock bands like Television and Modern Lovers. Each song does its thing and finishes before turning boring. Great sequencing, production and spectacular guitar tone. Maybe all I wrote above is a big cliche - nothing new to this album. Love it!

It's good, butt... It didn't change my perspective on anything or bring anything new. It was definitely fresh in 2001. 3.5/5 at most.

odličan album, al nekako mi nije za peticu....još.

barely legal?

I just can't get on board with this. I didn't like it 20 years ago either. It's sounds like it could be ok, but the singer's voice is so grating to me I can't get past it.

Never realized this album is only 35 min long, love me some good short songs. But yeah timeless sounds imo, catchy, and overall great listen.

Nostalgic!

I'm in the minority here for sure but... what's the appeal here? Tonally it's quite monotonous. Sonically, nothing new. Lyrically, hard to tell. The vocals are mixed so far back and the slight distortion on them makes the words just blend into the rest of the instrumentation. Pretty meh. I recognize a few of the tracks, but that doesn't mean they're good, just that they're played on the radio.

such a classic and influential album. so so so important.

Pretty boring

I only finished the album on my third listen. Good indie but I don't understand all the hype. I love 2000s indie rock, and thus I know I should appreciate that this album paved the way for that entire genre, but I just can't get it. It's fairly good, especially the second half, but it's not amazing. Maybe, in order to get this, I should have been young in 2001. 7/10.

Une valeur sûre, équilibre entre attitude rebelle et simple plaisir de la musique et du rythme.

all time favorite

One of the best new rock albums

Couple of good tracks, Someday, Last Note and liked the guitar on Modern Age. Def another early aughts sound reminiscent of Franz Ferdinand, etc

Love this album so so much. Easily one of my favorites so far. Always reminds me of driving around with K and makes me wanna sing along.

Props to this website for using the ass cover

I'm not a huge fan, but it has catchy tunes

A very solid punk record. Lots of replay value with some songs, though I wish the other tracks stood out a bit more

I was actually SO surprised by this album. I loved it!! I'm going to go listen to more of their songs now!

8 goed album

Heard it before?: Yes Enjoy it?: I love this one, not their best but still solid Favourite Song: Track 6 - Alone, Together

I've always been a big fan of this album. I think this is one of the strongest debut albums out there and this came out in my early high school years and had a major impact on me. It got me into other more interesting bands as well based on the influences they cited. I have listened to this album a number of times over the years more recently as well to see if it still held up and I think it 100% does. I love this one, 5/5. Standout Tracks: Is This It, The Modern Age, Soma, Barely Legal, Someday, Alone Together, Last Nite, Hard to Explain, When It Started, Trying Your Luck, Take It or Leave It

This album was pretty good. Musically it reminds me of the white stripes or even Velvet Underground. The songs are all short and fast. Is it me or is the song When it Started mixed at a way higher level than everything else on this album? Anyway, they are a tight little band with the distinct sound. That’s fun to listen to.

Iha jees.

Tää kuulostaa juuri siltä, miltä 2000-luvun alku parhaimmillaan kuulosti. Ja tää levy todistaa myös sen, miten musiikkimaku on erityisen subjektiivista: mulle tulee mieleen tästä levystä New Yorkin reissu vuonna 2002: hellettä kaupungissa ja pimeitä iltoja.

Räminä rokkia, jäbä laulaa jonkun peltipurkin läpi ja korvista vuotaa veri.

What a surprise! Really liked it!

Heard so many good things about this album, after listening to it I had to think, Is This It? 3/5

There are a few strong tracks here, but I don’t generally like the whole distorted voice rock genre, so it’s a bit of a mixed bag for me.

Got better as it went on tbh, last 4 songs or so are really good I enjoyed it

Yuck

decent i suppose

It's not bad, but is very samey

LASSSSSTTTNNITTTTEEEE

Starts with the weakest song and then the whole thing just becomes better and better. 4.5?

A classic

I really hated most of the Indie-surgence that happened in the mid 2000's, but you can't deny a genuinely amazing album when you hear it. 1000x better than the overly contrived nonsense that a lot of their contemporaries were putting about. One of the only Indie albums I actually enjoy, and I absolutely love it at that. Not a single bad or even mediocre song on there (although New York City Cops is new to me?? Mustnt have been on the UK CD version). My head's going 4* for the Indie, my heart is going for the full 5*

Probably their most consistent album, a classic.

Good stuff

It's OK, but very much of the same. The Brits did it better. Favorite song: hard to explain

I’ve heard a few songs by The Strokes. I remember enjoying Reptilian on Guitar Hero back in the day, and have since heard a few more at the indie bars out and about. I’m hopeful for this album today! It is also worth mentioning the album cover as it is so very famous at this point. It only takes a quick glance and you know exactly what album this is. Songs I already knew: Someday, Last Nite Favourites: Someday, Last Nite, The Modern Age This was such good fun from front to back. I don’t think there was a single moment that I wasn’t bopping my head and enjoying myself while listening to this. It is definitely rock music, but with enough pop sensibilities thrown in to keep everything catchy and stuck in your head. The vocals are distinctive and recognisable. The music isn’t exactly anything groundbreaking as it doesn’t try anything new, but it doesn’t need to as it is great at what it does.

Classic, perfectly evocative of the early part of the century. I loved it at the time, and I love it now.

This has held up pretty well overall. It's kinda faded for me since the mid 00s, but it's fun enough. 3.5

I had a friend in high school and college who absolutely loved The Strokes, but it took me until the very late aughts to start listening to them. I wish I had started listening to them when I was in high school, because I think I would have really liked them. I eventually bought some of their albums, and even saw them at ACL in 2010. Over the last decade and a half or so, I've gotten pretty familiar with this album, and I was really excited to be assigned it today. I was listening to a fair amount of alternative rock radio when this came out, but I don't remember ever hearing any of the songs off of it. That's really a shame, although not surprising for our local alternative station, who still plays Evanescence pretty regularly. I can't think of anyone else who was making rock music like this at that time. A lot of the bands topping the rock charts kind of had 'their own gimmick,' but The Strokes were pretty gimmick-less; they just played great guitar rock and tight drum beats with great vocals and lyrics. In my opinion, nothing they were doing was rocket science, but they were in the minority of people doing it, and they did it really well. Out of their whole catalog, this album best exemplifies their talents at mastering simplicity while crafting a truly original sound. Every song on this album is great, and the singles are exceptional. In addition to being great music, this album kicked the door open for indie rock's explosion in the aughts. This album is still amazing almost two decades later, and remains one of the most fun albums in my usual rotation. Favorite track: Last Nite, by a hair over Someday

I saw The Strokes back in the day at Reading Festival. They were playing on one of the smaller stages in a tent and they'd just broken with this album. Absolutely packed, nearly killed me. Excellent debut, but it is a bit samey.

Darling your head's not right

Solid album.

Catchy guitar pop, a bit heavy on teenage angst but mostly enjoyable to listen.

Fantastic album, make sure to listen to the non-US release!

My favorite album of all time. Great songs, great production, music and lyrics. Just great rock n roll. The best album ever made 6*

I didn't like it

this was good! bass was probably the MVP of the album. probably won’t revisit any tracks though

Easiest 5 if my life, bless the strokes banishing shite dad rock to the 90s

chill vibes, solid album overall.

Great strokes album

Top 3 Songs: 1 - Hard To Explain (8) 2 - The Modern Age (2) 3 - Trying Your Luck (10)

Each song sounds exactly the goddamn same as the last.

This was fine but not something I’d go back to. This style of music all sounds the same to me - I just don’t really connect with it.

J'ai un faible pour le son des Strokes. Du bon rock post-punk soft, mais pas tant non plus. Plus 3.5 que 4, mais on est généreux aujourd'hui.

oh excellent... good songs, good play, good good good Feels like I've heard these songs before even though I haven't. Either got better towards the middle or got me in the mood

i like the mastering they do on their vocals on this album. beyond their popular songs on this album, the rest doesnt stand out much

Very fun very cool

Very good just held back on the 5

Yes, this is it

One of my favorite albums ever and a strong source of nostalgia for a particular time in my life and place in the world when this album dropped.

Lively, Lo-Fi, garage band jam but not my cup of tea.

Really good and interesting album. This was one of the first albums that made me get into music at all, I felt like it changed how I listened to music and it made me more interested in finding more music like this.

I'm not a huge fan of 2000's music, but this album is very well put together.

Wasn’t a huge fan of the sound, but still a decent album.

one of my favorite albums by the strokes, very consistent throughout

If I had a nickel for every time this website generated me an album with connections to 9/11, I'd have two nickels, which isn't a lot, but it's weird it happened twice.

I first read about the Strokes and I think I saw them on SNL before hearing the album, I wanted to not like it. They seemed to be a group of rich, spoiled, privileged-looking white boys who somehow weaseled a record contract and I doubted they would produce authentic rock 'n' roll, especially with a lead singer with a name like, Julian Casablancas. Their debut album, Is This It...is it! A surprisingly excellent record that blows most of my theory away. A great collection of songs that are catchy and ear-pleasing without the pretentiousness and manufactured sound I was half expecting. There was lots of really good music released in the early 2000's and this one stands out as one of the best and listening again over twenty years later, it's as good as I remember. Ha, so much for first impressions.

I was totally obsessed with Last Nite and listened to this album a lot. Last Nite remains the stand out track. After that, tracks sound more distinct, but before all merged into one, odd considering I listened to it a lot. I guess not my jam anymore!

too rowdy for me

This is a fine album with a lot of recognizable songs from when I was a kid: Last Night, Someday, Hard To Explain. I feel like they make decent music, but its not anything that gets me very excited. I didn't mind it being on, but wouldn't really seek it out except for if I wanted to take a trip down memory lane. This is a strong 3 / 5 for me.

Dead ringer for this list. Literally everyone wanted to copy them for 2-3 years

Good power pop. Good bass playing. I've wondered why this singer sounds like he's singing through a land line phone.

An LP which exudes effortless lo-fi cool. Julian’s vocals + the great guitar harmonies all wrapped up in warm, fuzzy production makes simple lyrics, instrumentation, and overall tracks feel massive from a sonic standpoint. Not a whole lot of melodic variation going on, but when the core sound and narrative are so locked in that’s hardly an issue.

An incredibly fun, catchy and infectious album, that had a big influence on the indie rock scene that came after the release of this record. Is this it? Yes, it is this!

I knew it'd be getting a five, because I know and like every song on here except for one, which is still decent. I don't know what else to say besides this album goes hard. My favourite songs were probably When It Started, Trying Your Luck, and Is This It, but it's hard to choose!

Ihan kuin olisi sama biisi 11 kertaan, vähän eri variaatioin. Mutta se silti toimii, indietanssibileet!

Pelkoni substanssin täydellisestä puuttumisesta korvautui lopulta varovaisella nautinnolla. Yhtään huippukappaletta levy ei sisällä, mikä selittää arvosanan, mutta ei tämä toivotontakaan ole.

there are some truly amazing songs on here. but still feels like an incel in a leather jacket to me a little idk what to say maybe i'll like their other albums more

Love the Strokes! Makes me want to listen to the new abnormal.

The Strokes are solid, but the singer (Mr. Stroke) doesn't have much inflection to his voice which makes so many of the songs sound the same, despite some of the guitar and bass parts being really cool. Decent album, but not too exciting. Not getting out of bed for this one.

Just a very solid rock album that I would listen to any day of the week. Last Nite and Someday are classics

This album is the quintessential 2000's indie rock sound. Fucking love it. So simple but so great.

This album is very good All tracks on this album are amazing The instruments fit so well together and the vocals make this album a masterpiece. All topics and themes make up the album and the strokes in general and how they present them. Which is always amazing to hear because with all tracks it's something new to listen to and doesn't get repetitive at all. I love this album and the strikes in general so I will be coming back to it.

no

I love The Strokes. And what a debut! The only question I have to ask myself with this album is whether to give it 4 stars or 5 stars. It’s a great album - but is my favourite of theirs? No. Is it still worthy of a 5? …. Yes I think so. Fav tracks (they’re all good): Someday, Soma, Is This It, Hard To Explain Least fav: Barely Legal (great song, creepy concept)

Oh man this album is just a cover to cover masterpiece. 5/5 no notes

Sometimes a mood.

I prefwr the arctic monkeys

A classic lo-fi sounding alt indie garage rock classic. Stand out tracks - Someday - Hard to Explain - Alone. Together - New York City Cops - Barely Legal - Soma

Arrête de crier tu m'épuises le coco

Genres: Indie rock, garage rock revival, post-punk revival Formed: New York City in 1998 Run time: 11 songs, 36 min, 28 sec It's a great album. I really liked a couple of tracks and the others are OK. It’s not a particularly long album as most of the tracks average around 3 minutes duration. They are described as rock but nothing heavy. The up-beat tempo gives it a pop feel. They are obviously a very well liked and much played group. The least played track on the album has over 25M plays on Spotify. The most popular tracks have 100M, 300M, and nearly 500M plays. Will I listen to the album again? I’ve played it several times, and enjoyed “Someday" and “Last Night”., but the rest isn’t growing on me, so no. I will give a “Best of…” a try. My Rating: ****

The Strokes, for me, brought about the death of guitar music. Everyone knew the derivative quality of their music, but the independent music press were about to undergo a period of self-induced amnesia which refused to look at these bands for what they were and say, “the emperor really isn’t wearing a stale-fag smelling Harrington jacket”. In fact, Julian Casablancas looks exactly like the kind of guy who just gives off “I’m in a band” energy - a kind of performative rebellion that only the middle class can appropriate (without a shred of self-aware irony as well). There’s a depthlessness to The Strokes as a band that is quintessentially postmodern, and for that reason they are, in my opinion, disposable - they let the labels remove “New York City Cops” due to the sensitive atmosphere post-9/11, some punks eh? That being said, this record is actually pretty good. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, and wasn’t the revolution people convinced themselves it was, but these guys wrote some great songs. Especially the singles. Albert Hammond Jr. (nepo baby, of course) plays simple but catchy riffs, and though it’s all pretty po-faced, Casablancas’ voice is produced well on this album. The movement they purportedly started spawned some complete turds that no amount of effusive press releases can polish. But The Strokes’ debut is still a cut above their acolytes. Don’t know why, but it is.

Not a huge fan of indie

Great album. Will listen again. Favorite song: New York City Cops

I only knew of their song "Reptilia" going in. Some decent stuff here. The main issue for me is the vocal distortion used on every song. It just gets old after a while and becomes abrasive. Made me want to turn on some Marvin Gaye afterwards.

Ohhhhh the strokes... this is quintessential 🤩

Guitar Hero! Someday en Last Nite goede tracks 👌

Classic album, top to bottom with iconic songs and sounds. Really hits a nice mood Favorites: Is This It, Last Nite, Someday, Hard to Explain

Old favorite. Almost the perfect album.

Fucking great mate

A couple of keepers

Album title sums up my thoughts here. My commute finished before the album did, but I doubt I missed anything by not listening to the end, cause you know... generic, samey songs and all. Two telescopes so they might uncover a new sound. 🔭🔭

Strong indie vibes / Dusty pop punk is this it- Calm but catchy opener The modern age- has a similar sound to hockey dad easy listening

6/10. It's listenable and the singles are memorable, but I was never much into them the first time around.

Awesome how garage-y it is. Sounds like it was recorded at home, not in a studio

I remember when this album came out and everybody around me loved it, bought it, played it to death, went to all the gigs. I can understand why people love these songs; they are dynamic and driving and in some ways just good tunes. I can remember at the time though, being put off by the fact that they were arrogant tosspots. It stopped me from really ever getting into them. So, much as I think they are a talented bunch who turned a musical tide, I am always loath to fully engage.

Simple, Lofi, fantastic. I love everything about this album.

I listened to The Strokes just the other day with Adler. He's a fan. I guess it boils down to "I like this band but don't love them." There are many musical moments to delight in — catchy guitars and lilty vocals and that English ennui. Cool vibe. And I bet with more listens and familiarity I'd grow to like the songs and probably rate this higher, but for a one-time run-through, it's a 3 but I'm open to more.

I hated this when it came out. But damn it grew on me. Hadn't listened to it in years before today. And while every song does sound the same, the melodies are indelible. Great stuff, but maybe just shy of 5 territory for me. Still, lots of fun.

I don't know why The Strokes don't thrill me like I think they should. They have a lot of characteristics I like but something about them just lands flat with me. Sometimes I give 3s and I really like an album. Sometimes I give 3s because the album is just meh. This is straight down the middle...neither like nor dislike.

Didn’t really like the strokes in the early 2000s, and I still not a fan. It’s good, but not for me.

Good album. Some absolute classics. Very short!

Solid album, my only issue with it is at times it can be kinda predictable. Still really good garage/indie rock. A lot of good songs with my favorites being "Someday", "Is This It", "Last Night", "Take It Or Leave It" and "Hard to Explain". This album instantly make me think of white kids from a specific suburb in the city I grew up in that I went to school with because for some reason. The album just screams to me "I'm a white kid that grew up in a house with a 2 story house with a big back yard and a fully finished basement and maybe a pool" but that might just be my experience. Overall though 8.5/10.

Enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Definitely a retro feel to this album, shades of Velvet Underground, with short, punchy indie pop songs.

straight car seat headrest. good album tho. 4.5

Cute pero me aburre.

Top top top album

Mostly ignored this at the time as it didn’t feel like it was for me… Seemed a bit style over substance… How wrong I was. Have since enjoyed their most recent album and been meaning to revisit. Glad I did, I can see what the fuss is about now.

The more I hear, the more I like it. That should be positiv, right?

I did listen to this some 20 years ago and I wasn’t impressed. Today I am about 2% more impressed. This deserves a solid 2.

Classic riffs, great lyrics, great songs

Not my thing but ok

Soo, it's not what I'm used to listen to so I guess my ears didn't expect this kind of music which is of course fine, but I don't know if it's because I'm not used to listen to that kind of music or smthg else but this album didn't give me any amazing discovery, a lot of the songs seems the same sometime I actually didn't noticed that I finished a song and it was already another track, they dont seem to make me feel any emotions, any pleasure, but not any digust either. I just think this album is made for other people, maybe with people with taste u may say eheh, but not for me :) As for my fav track I think one of the only one that I enjoyed more that the other would be "Alone, Together" !!

love so much

I wish I liked this one more, it's not bad or anything but I find The Strokes have way higher highs than their debut

Man, this is a band I have tried to get into so many times over the years, and it has just been impossible. This album came out when I was in high school, a time when I loved all things music, but this bad, just never did it for me. I intently listen to the album this time around, and my complaint remains that everything just sounds the same. Very whiny and kind of dull. I think I’m the only person on earth who feels that way.

nothing too special but fun and tasteful

I said, JUST TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT !!! and TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT !!! and TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT !!! and TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT !!! oh, just TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT !!! and TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT !!! oh, TAKE IT !!!

good album but i dont think it clicked with me all the way. still a nice listen

Fire

Fantastic back to front. Great writing, great hooks.

All-time great album. Not a bad song

Enjoyable

This is a really good album

Love this album. Definitely important and good.

Perfection

Dont like the vocal effects on some songs. A bit repetetive. It's ok but not really great. 1,5 stars

Stone cold classic easy 5/5. Game changing album that was a seminal part of the way my music taste is shaped today

I respect this album. It’s just too “noisy” for me. However, I commend the shift in rock music that happened as a result of this album and appreciate that which came after it. Enjoy the opener Is This It and Last Nite but nothing else really stands out to me.

An absolute classic album that captures the early 2000's indie scene as well as any album could. "Is This It" was such a great album the Strokes following albums, even those that were actually good, seemed to pale in comparison. The Strokes last few albums have been interesting and well done as well, but rock music doesn't come as simple and catchy as this. The worst part of the album is when "NY City Cops" was replaced by "When it Started," which would have been a great song on their follow up album. Of course, after 9/11 "NY City Cops" was not seen as appropriate. What's so great about this album is how the best tracks are hidden towards the end of the album. Pretty much a perfect album.

Reinventing garage rock? Yeahh

Each song on this album was a standalone banger-I had zero issue with and wouldn't skip any of them. However, there needs to be distinction within albums, and everything here kind of became conflated with each other. To be honest, even if some of the songs sounded differently, I still don't think I would've given it 5. I did really like "Barely Legal" and "Take It Or Leave It".

Alright I waited 1.5 years to rate this because every time I listen to it I keep going back and forth between a 4 and a 5. Some would say that shows how divisive this album is. I think it shows the lack of decision-making ability I have. What am I doing with my life?

Liked all the songs but didn’t love too many. Soma, when it started, and hard to explain were my favorites. This doesn’t get a 5 because of its “give me the same thing but different!” Attitude throughout, I guess you could say that’s a good thing in that it all works together but that also bores me at a certain point. And holy overplayed batman, the strokes are more common than a false positive these days.

I've never seen this album cover, truth be told, but Max Jr. is a big fan. (I wanna smack it so bad). This was the first Strokes album I listened to as a whole, and it's my favorite. In my mind, their other ones can't really compete with this guy. I listened to this for the first time two Aprils ago, so it's fitting that I come full circle with it at the end of this beautiful month.

noice

Nice little alternative album. It's something you can dance to, but it also has solid guitar and lyrics and an overall interesting sound.

Amazing album A+

I think i enjoyed this - I may listen again and update my review

This album has so much energy. The bass lines were really fun. I’m glad I read the other reviews and learned that “New York City Cops” was taken off the U.S. version of the album - it was worth the listen. Overall a cohesive and consistently solid album. Favorite tracks: Soma, Someday, Last Night. 5/5.

I’m already a fan of The Strokes, particularly their most recent album and this one, but I knew this one was due a re-listen as I haven’t listened to it all the way through since I first listened and I have to say this album is near perfection. There are so many reasons that make this album fantastic, the one that stands out to me the most is the cohesion between the drums and the guitar. For the most part they sound fairly fast paced but not a lot of the songs follow that feeling despite how they sound as there is a good mixture of relaxed moments to balance out the songs. A great example is ‘Alone, Together’ as the first 2/3 of the song follows a steady drum beat with a varying guitar mixture until the last minute and a half where both instruments pick up and the vocalist, Julian, really picks up which leads to a great guitar solo at the end. Another key example of this is ‘The Modern Age’ as we get this dreary guitar mix for most of the song but it’s the pairing with Julian’s vocals as he goes from a harsh tone to a softer singing chorus when the instruments open up some space, and of course this song has a guitar solo too that’s just fantastic. Some of the more underrated songs here, in my opinion anyways, are ‘Trying Your Luck’ which is one of the more relaxed cuts which has an almost emotional undertone to it in the way Julian delivers his vocals, it’s almost Arctic Monkeys-esque. The other underrated track being, ‘Hard To Explain’ which has this consistent guitar leading the track which is opened up for some drums during the chorus. Julian’s vocals are also quite mudded in the instrumental so you’re way more driven by the tone of the track, and I think it just works so well. This wouldn’t be a review if I didn’t mention the more popular tracks. First being ‘Someday’ which is one of the few tracks where Julian stands out more than the instruments however it’s not by much. The drums are also very prominent on this track where the instrumental is built up and then is left to just the drums and some guitar in the back around the middle of the track. For me this track definitely sounds the most indie rock to me, I think Julian mostly singing on this helps as well. The most popular track ‘Last Nite’ is appropriately the leading track to the album based off the chorus and the build up to it, Julian’s vocals really contribute here and make it a killer track. I’d also like to mention the opening and closing tracks, the opening title track is the most relaxed track here as the vocalist follows a steady tone and the instrumental stays fairly calm. Not one of my favourites but I think it’s a great opener which could also be the closer from the sound of it. The outro is a bit more abrasive and has less focus on the lyrics, almost sounds like Julian is frustrated as he’s telling the person he’s interested in to make up their mind already, I would’ve liked a bit of a slower outro song but this is still great. For how cool it sounds, ‘New York City Cops’ is probably one of my least favourites just down to the chorus, it’s just sort of meh but the pre chorus I really like especially with the lead guitarist. Overall, this album is nothing less than brilliant. For the 36 minute run time it sounds so short and I could easily Dow it another 10 minutes of music and it still wouldn’t sound long. Since this came up I’ve listened through the album 5+ times now and I’m just so hooked, such a great listen and undeniably one of my favourites. 5/5

easy 5

I quite like The Strokes, but also feel they may be the most overrated band of all time at the same time. I feel this album is just an above average Indie staple, nothing like the era defining masterpiece most exalt it as. 4/5

overrated

Solid album, but overall on the dull side

Loved this back in the day. And it still stands up. But it is more monotonous than I recall.

A great album for its time, but the sound gets tiresome fast and never evolved.

Good

The hits are incredible, and the ones that aren’t are just okay to me. Can’t deny that iconic guitar tone and voice though.

- Classic album - Julian's voice is fantastic - So many iconic songs - Favorite songs: Hard to Explain, Someday, Barely Legal

- several all-time alt-rock bangers on this album - Guitar is phenomenal - Vocal distortion is unique and fantastic

Legendary. Shame about the Puritanical US version cover, but the rock is indisputable. 4 stars.

Este disco me recuerda enteramente mi adolescencia. estudíaba economía por allá del 2004-2005. apenas me contraba en mi despertar musical, no conocía mucho, solo nirvana, beatles y algunas cosillas basicas. un amigo me sugirio este disco, el lo escuchaba y cambio mi percepción de la musica. habí amás personas preguntandose otras cosas, teniendo dilemas tal y como yo no todo eran señores con problemas absurdos. tambien para variar había jovenes confundidos y ebrios.

Fuck yeah. Nonstop quavers never sounded so good.

Buen estilo de rock definido, con canciones elaboradas bajo un mismo patrón. Tiene ritmo y son un tanto guitarreras

One of my favorite albums by one of my favorite bands. Their debut album is probably their overall best as almost every song on this is a solid hit. The guitar rhythms are simplistic yet energetic and catchy. The lyrics are great and have a decent angst to them without being overtly punky. Overall this may be one of my most listened to album and I don’t think there is a better album from the 2000s. 10/10

Already have this. Can find the production a little shrieky but like the songs.

An excellent album through and through. It's not something I listened to when it first came out, since I would have only been three years old, but I've grown to love this over the last couple of years now I've really started to vibe with this kind of Indie music. To be honest, for a long time I thought this was older than it actually was, testament to the garage-rock and post-punk revival movement that this album just oozes. This is just a real mood-booster of an album, and I wouldn't be surprised if, with a few more listens, this gets up there as one of my favourite rock albums. Favourite: Someday

Great rock record. All the songs sounds the same and it's awesome.

"hey what do you think of this chords?" *Plays it for 3 minutes* "Yup. Let's call this a song"

One of my favorite album of all time.

The kind of album that in theory, has nothing special to offer, but in practice, is totally magical. I can't say why it's good, but it is!

What a way to kick off the millennium. Undeniable heaters

Fun album, more songs I recognized than I thought.

Flawless

I think this is starting to lose its status

I love everything about this album, perfection! One of my favorite albums of all time by one of the greatest bands of all time.

I liked this album. This is the album that their big hit 'Last Night' comes from. Overall a fun, casual listen.

I understand why this album is on this list, and it is 'adjacent' to music I normally like - but there is something that holds me back from really getting into it

YASSSSS. A classic. MEDIUM9/10

very good job with the album, this good music and it was nice to cook chili to

Yes 4.5/5

I enjoy this album from front to back. Pretty crazy that this is a debut album from a group of high school friends. Many other bands have imitated that lo-fi, droning sound but not have done it as well as the strokes do on this album.

It's good. Indie predecessor but no saves

Some highlights but it’s literally like the same thing every track. Standout tracks were the ones that are popular

It's a good album. Does what it set out to do - make some quality soft rock

Þetta er drullufín plata. Góð stemming.

4/10

Good for what it is. Hard to imagine it being very influential.

Early 2000s punk rock. Feels like an early iPod commercial, haha. Some strong songs, but overall album is kind of one-note. Just not my genre, I suppose.

One of my favorites

Don't like the jagged, dischordant guitar (Arctic Monkeys, Muse) or the silly 40s radio vocal effects.

I've never understood the level of love for this album. It's The Clash going full glam rock but with more basic instrumentals; probably biased because parents played into their media love. That said it's not a bad album, second half is much stronger than the first. Alone, together is probably my favorite track but Barely Legal and Last Night are contenders

Incredible, simple chords, super catchy. A true classic.

Excellent album.

Easy 4 - great record and a lot of personal nostalgia for me. The Strokes were ultimately a bit of a let down for me - I expected them to be more serious and committed I guess. The big tracks from this one (Is This It?, Last Nite, Someday, New York City Cops) are all still great. The final track Take It Or Leave It is still a banger hands down. Overall the aesthetic of the record is spoiled a bit by the scratchy recording of the vocal - the effect gets a bit thin.

Vocals recorded in the 1940s. Like this album.

Still sounds cool

3/5

All the hype around this album- “it’s changed music forever”- how? All I heard was screaming from the back of his throat- something I could have done at age three. VERY unimpressed and disappointed. I’d heard amazing things about this and I really do not get it. One positive is some of the music?

All the hype and retrowaxing about this album... ...this is *it*? 3/10 snoozefest with little unique to offer - 2 stars.

I want to dance to it, but the scum film over everything weighs that down. The Strokes made an important record, and the second half went down better: The guitar tone seems healthy at least at last. Don't love the vocals, though, and they with everything else form a consistent note.

This list is making me realise how many albums I've sold. Another one I used to have. I played this one to death. Literally over listened till I was sick of it. Going to try and enjoy it again, 20 years on. Will update after listen.... After listen comments..... Yeah, bit samey. Can see why I sold it.

Trots all hajp. Det var och är ett riktigt bra musikalbum.

Score: 60 Went into this album knowing it was very highly regarded and expected to like it, honestly was shocked to find its quite repetitive and boring. I like the sounds I'm hearing but they aren't interesting. I'll revisit this one later

Listened through a couple times over the years...I like it, but I wish I 'got' it like everyone else. It's short, over before you know it, kind of repetitive, and no true bangers to be found. Like the sound, but wish it went harder. Last song my fav...Julian's best song is not on this album, look for it on the album Incredibad :) 3.5/5

I was shocked by how much I didn't enjoy this album.

a 21C Band. Rock. Live is alive. Rock is back. Yeah, every track builds on the last in rising mood and tempo and an evolving style. We are getting there, alright. Ah yes Bore and Stroke and Injection and Exhaust. All apt analogies for the cover action. The tone and rising intensity keeps ramping,; we are working our way along the tacho ... Everything is new but familiar. It borrows everything from the previous 2-3 decades. Like the Matrix film did. It works as a whole. Fresh. Propulsive. Tickles my fancy. BOOM!

Minimalist, young person energy driven punk-ish album. On top of that are such delicious basslines. This is quite hot.

I'm biased towards this kind of music so I had to rate it high regardless of how good it actually is <3 favorite tracks are Soma and someday

Awesome album. When they came on the scene they were huge. They were in the same sentences with The Beatles. No stinkers on this album.