Is This It

Same song every time

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.

Accomplished, lots to love!

Solid uniform sound, everything you want in an indie album

Even better than I remember. Kind of makes you want to get your guitar out and play along.

There’s enough hits on this Strokes album to sustain 4 albums by regular indie bands - and not bad bands either. It could sound like a greatest hits, if it didn’t have such a singular vision. The guitars have an addictive quality. Every song has a strong theme / concept but without sounding gimmicky. A perfect album.

Exactly as good as I remember it being.

Somehow I missed the hype around them when this came out, but it is nice to be able to listen to it quietly. I really like the hit songs, it was fun to watch the videos of them, and want to hear this album more often. Even though the last few songs are a bit less brilliant and repetitive i’ll give them five stars. I just want this album in my top list.

Very enjoyable album, a new favourite, does not feel out of place in this day and can hear how a lot of modern indie rock artists are influenced by this album. Definitely one I’ll be revisiting quite often.

thought i'd like it more

volim iako nije moj žanr više

I really don’t like to listen to the strokes. I don’t like the wealthy art school vibe, I don’t like the put-on chill guy listlessness. I don’t like the way it’s recorded, I don’t like the distorted vocals or the jangly guitars. The experience of listening is one star to me. But also I made the mistake of reading reviews before doing my own. It stands out how much people viewed albums from this time as representing a rock revival. I was still pretty young when this one came out, still enjoyed radio butt rock etc. If I had been five years older at the time I bet this would have felt like a breath of fresh air. Still sucks though.

When the first song started I didn't like the music, when the vocals started I liked it even less. I had previously heard the song "Last Nite" but even the familiarity of that didn't make it listenable. I didn't much care for this at all.

An album that sometimes suffers from the same fate as Seinfeld, of all things, as its impact, while still noted today, has been diminished to the point where I see many state that this is just the same as every other indie rock album from the time, or even that this is lesser than what came before it. I can't see it, this album has too much weight behind what it did for music to the point where, sure, much of the music spawned from it was radio fodder and even a "pleb filter," whatever that means, but this album still is like doing a complete 180 to the music that preceded it. Mainstream rock had only gotten angrier and angrier in a post-Nirvana world, and while there were calmer acts to keep the world at bay, they flew under the radar for most mainstream audiences, and Nu-Metal reigned supreme. Then, this album came along and flipped everything on its head, leading to a musical boom that some may look back as obnoxious, but I for one, quite enjoy, and even if acts like Vampire Weekend, Franz Ferdinand, or even the Killers don't do much for you, I struggle to see how there wouldn't be something to enjoy here. Julian Casablancas, instead of being an idiot hotshot, is a seemingly shy asshole with a lot on his mind, and while some of it may come off as a little whiney, it fits perfectly within the anxieties of the next generation. The world was changing, and no longer was rap rock in-charge, but rather anxiety was at the forefront of society, and this album exemplifies that perfectly. Hell, it even seemed to predict the coming war on terrorism, as the song New York City Cops was replaced by When It Started by the time of its US release for obvious reasons (and honestly, it's for the best, as NYCC is probably the weakest track here, while When It Started may be my favorite) which only proves my point more. This album was the future of indie rock, and while now for some it can come off as tired, at its release there was a reason everyone copied it. For the music, OH MY GOD, IT'S SO GOOD. The Strokes are the masters of the chorus and bridge, nearly every one here is some of the best in its genre. They're catchy, brilliantly condensed, and don't sacrifice any amount of Julian's nonchalant tone to get their feeling across. He knows when to get angry, and he knows when to hold it back to create an incredibly charming experience where there's a satisfying tug-and-pull throughout. The riffs, both guitar and bass, are also superb. It is clear from the first track that the bass playing will always be immaculate, but paying attention to the single but raw guitar allows each song to truly blossom, and matches the deadpan tone perfectly. The whole album can only be described as concise and never a dull moment. You're hopping from one hook to the next, and not a single song suffers from overstaying its welcome. It allows for a constant, albeit subtle, change that is thoroughly great. This may not be my favorite rock album of all time or anything, but it's hard to deny its greatness, even sans context. It deserves its praise, and I only can hope in the next decade or so it will receive the mini-Renaissance it deserves.

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

I've listened to this album a lot and I still really like it.

know it . love it.

perfect

Was not into this at all really at the time of release, it felt like just too simple “made for radio” music. I appreciate it a bit more now looking back. This really is a great album, nothing wrong with it, I just don’t love it enough to give a 5, 4/5 it is.

Somebody turned me on to this album a couple years after it came out and I immediately loved every second of it. One of my favorite albums ever and I would recommend this to anybody that hasn't heard it before.

really boring. didn’t care for any part of this album.

Better than expected

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.

One of my favorites. Been listening to it for 15+ years, and not likely to ever stop. Soma, Someday, Last Nite, all great songs among the rest of the album which are all stellar offerings.

THE indie rock

another masterpiece. This one came out right at the perfect time for me. In college and trying to figure out where I was heading. The video for “last night” played allll the time on mtv2 and I was here for it!

would give 2.5 if possible. it was a fun listen but i wished there was more variety of sound on each song. they kind of blend together. not always a bad thing this genre is just either a hit or miss for me

Bored from the opening

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

Freshly classic. 7/10

A classic of 2000s indie, which I would maintain is one of the peak decades for the genre. Vivid memories of sweaty dancing on sticky dancefloors to Hard to Explain and Last Nite. 5*

Clearly a very influential album on the world of indie rock. It's minimalist and tight, with simple and effective instrumentation. Fun basslines, catchy guitar riffs, upbeat and basic drums. The vocals have an interesting distortion effect, and the album has a nostalgic feel to it; helped by the lyrics dealing with young adult life, love, and angst. All of the songs are catchy and concise and pleasant to listen to; it's quite repetitive, but since I like the sound of it, and it isn't too long, I enjoy its distinct style. My favourite track varies, but right now, it might be 'Last Nite'.

An alltime classic

Boring and Monotone. Didn't realize the album finished until something more dynamic came on afterwards.

Fine for 2001 but I really don't need to revisit this.

The Rock Revival

Classic early 00s indie rock. Perfect album that gets in, makes it's point and gets out leaving you wanting repeat listens.

Pleasant overall. Liked every song. Some songs would definitely listen to again. If I put in some time listening would probably find some playlist worthy songs. All songs sounds quite similar so blends into one a bit. Heard one song from this album before but don't know where. Reminds me of an American artic monkeys, but I think that the strokes came first.

Probably my most-listened album ever. From age 16 to now. One of the best!

AAAH INCREIBLE INCREIBLE

This album came out on my 18th birthday. I didn't much like it then and thought I would give it another go. I still don't like it much. Every song sounds "same-y" and I don't "get it" I got through it, thankfully its not a long record.

Probably one of the greatest alternative records of all time. I truly am envious of anyone who hasn’t listened to this and gets to listen to it for the first time. From the first notes of the first song, it’s catchy, fun and innovative. Genre defining, era defining.. I don’t have enough praise for this album. Top tracks are Is This It, Soma, Someday, Last Nite and Hard to Explain but truly every single song on here is incredible

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

I remember this album was popular when I was an exchange student. I thought I hadn't heard it before, but I'd actually listened to almost all of it with the exception of Take It out Leave It. I liked this one!

Favorite: Hard To Explain

A couple good songs

A great album. Probably The Strokes best. Favourite tracks: Soma, Last Nite, Hard To Explain, New York City Cops.

Listened before?: Yes! A millennial classic.

Great album, never in doubt about it's quality. Cool backstory, and easy to mistake this for a 70s rock band.

This record saved rock & roll. 5 stars.

Best Rock album of its decade

Dosta lejm album, baš mi apsolutno ništa ne radi, dosada živa. Čak mi ne paše ni kao ono usputna, pozadinska glazba, možda samo nisam receptivna danas za ovakav BS 😁 1/5, 2/10

Хорошая музыка

Ferdig snakka

Hadde litt glemt hvor stas denne plata er

Høsten 2021. Skål og snakkes.

Amazing

Last Nite is a good song. Other than that it's a bit boring. Not awful, but not really my cup of tea..

Really enjoyed revisiting this album. I wish it had more variation, but at the same time, it does not get boring because of their very original take on garage/indie music.

Good! 3

Solid album Given the time it came out, it has aged really well compared to temporary music!

WOW

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.

Like I really want to give this album a five but somehow it always kind of disappoints me when I listen to it. It feels like a five but it’s just not there

Great Album, 8.5/10. Favorite Songs: Someday, Late Nite

I love the strokes, nice throwback for me.

I'm so blinded by nostalgia

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 Good: Who doesn’t like a question that isn’t The Bad: Giving it an answer that isn’t The Ugly: Realizing the above is like a dog chasing it’s own tail… The Strokes… what are they stroking? It is fair to say that I really enjoyed this album. I knew 1 song, and am happy that I’m now familiar with the other 10 too. For ones, a 2000 album that I am glad to have listened to. Also, please do note that I am tired… so I will just play the album again and enjoy, and dish out 4*, maybe I should stroke something too?

Titular track is the best on the album and it kinda fades from there but overall good album

Oh come on..... just fucking amazing

This is a great album

Pretty decent

I've never been a fan of The Strokes. I find their music too muted, and I always preferred other bands from the same time and "era" such as Interpol and White Lies who have more variety, dynamics, and do more exploration in their music. However, I'd give this album a 3.5, as it is definitely not bad, and I do understand why people like it. I just still don't think it is a 5 star or absolutely outstanding album when taken into the larger musical landscape and context.

The only decent song on here is last night. The rest is garbage. 1001 album worthy: no - 83/151

Pleasing enough indie garage-rock. Part of the early noughties indie rock revival that included The Hives, Rapture, Franz Ferdinand etc. Darlings of the NME at the time, there’s very little to date it.

Liked it, no notes.

Amazing… this is just incredible.

One of the best things on this hearth

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

One for the ages

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.

This album changed my life in high school. I love the Strokes so much.

Back to basics rock. Influences seem to come from early white rock. Very New York attitude and sound. Pleasantly listenable.

Is it groundbreaking? No. Is it very enjoyable rock? Yes! No need to overthink it. No need to get into a silly argument about whether they deserved to be called "rock saviors". Who cares? Just listen and appreciate it for what it is: great rock 'n' roll.

One of the saddest, most uncomprehending days of my life was towards the end of high school when I discovered that some of my friends who had been listening to Tool, Radiohead, QOTSA, etc had fallen for this gaggle of talentless, derivative, rich kid hacks. The soundtrack for a million transplant hipster shitheads who ruined NYC, driving up the rents and whitewashing any remnant of the culture that had already been dismantled by Giuliani’s reign of terror. Fuck The Strokes to hell. Negative one million stars. And yes I listened to the whole, abhorrent, goddamn thing. (The bass playing actually wasn’t that bad tbh.) I hadn’t realized it was released on 9/11. Makes it even more emblematic of the violent, painful transition away from the NYC of my childhood towards something colder, shallower, more disingenuous, whiter and more sanitized.

i mean its one of my favs of all time

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

An undoubted classic of the indie rock scene of early 2000s. Simple, catchy and straight to the point, without any pretentiousness or self-indulgence to muddle everything down. The sound of a bunch of blokes messing around and having a good time doing it.

Watershed, sure, but not so sure this album, or era for that matter, has much staying power. Similar to my thoughts on Wilco, for lack of a better term, there's a contrived 'cute' or 'cool' layer that I don't care for. An 'act' isn't necessarily a bad thing, some artists can pull it off, but it seems like the exception. This is 100% judgy but I actually wonder if Julian Casablancas would be capable of anything else coming up exposed to "Elite Model Agency" life. Can you get more superficial? I guess I do appreciate the fun of it all. PS I only just realized just realized Someday and Last Nite are two different songs. 3.5

is this it?

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

This early 2000's new wave of American indie rock bands were a real breath of fresh air, after the period where all indie rockers wanted to sound (and look) like Oasis. Strokes are among the top indie bands on this side of the millennium.

Boring and dull singing, no hooks. once again.

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.

I own a copy of this on vinyl. It's a good listen.

Have loved this album for a long time, still holds up.

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

The singer couldn't be arsed to go to the studio, so someone held a phone up to the microphone. And he phoned it in. The songs are too similar. Tempo, texture, and the constant, busy, busy, busy rhythms combined with monotone singing. This band was part of the early 2000s glut of plural-noun-named bands trying to reinvent The Kinks. Not much to see here. Just go listen to The Kinks.

1 of 2 hitjes, niets bijzonders

I had a hard time emotionally connecting to the music, but it seems like it would be a fun time live. Reminded me of The Killers but this music feels like hearing loud busking on a beach boardwalk on a sunny day while slightly inebriated while most Killers songs sound like midnight confessions in the dark. I would put a dollar in the guitar box.

5/5 obviously. was one of the albums that founded my music taste when i was a teenager. thanks stern!!

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.

It's fun, don't have to think too much while listening. Sometimes that's all I need.

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 know The Strokes as the band that had the hit Last Nite.. and from nothing else. This is the first time I was listening to their whole album and the results just came back - I don't like it. I understand that they revived the garage rock genre, but was it really necessary? We were doing pretty well as a humanity without bands like that. Honestly though, it's a very boring album, slow and uneventful, with a vocalist that is slowly drilling a hole in your head. Nothing I really hated, but it was definitely an unpleasant album to listen to.

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

it's fine. nothing fancy, but easy to enjoy.

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.

Obviously class

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.

There are very few debut albums that can top this one. One of the most delightful listening experiences you'll find, either in the international release or the American release. I first picked this one up shortly after Mic the Snare's Deep Discog Dive on the Strokes, and it's quickly risen to be one of my favorite albums in general. Tows the line between downer and fun expertly: the lyrics are pretty depressing, but god DAMN if the songs aren't fun to jam to. I really can't express my love for this record in words yet, it's just a really good listen that set the stage for many to follow. No doubts about the score.

Another album with great instrumentals slightly spoiled by grating vocals. Really snappy though

What if the Velvet Underground’s songs all sounded alike and also they were fronted by a dime-store knockoff Lou Reed with no vocal range and less ability to carry a tune? I made it about halfway through this unlistenable mockery of a rock ‘n roll album before giving up entirely.

Great album.

A milestone of garage/grunge rock from my formative years.

I be Strokin' my shit to this

Consistently boppable. Catchy guitar melodies. Sort of a consistent style, but I wasn't bored. I didn't like the songs where he sounds like he's singing through a walkie-talkie.

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.

Saw them live on this tour in a small club before they blew up and now I won't shut up about it every time their name comes up. Haven't kept up with them but this album remains tight AF.

One of the best rock albums of the 2000s

Getting strong feelings of meh.

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.

First time listening to the album, yeah I know. I really like the raw, energetic and stripped down sound. Love the lofi production and the gritty feel. Will definitely listen again.

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.

One word can describe my experience listening to this album: meh. It's fine, there isn't really anything offensive about it; the songs are fine, the playing is elementary but fine, the singing is fine. I am struck by how simple the recording sounds, but on further reading it sounds like that was very much on purpose. 3 mics on the drums is pretty impressive for a more modern album, but overall the mix just sounds too thin and empty to my ears in a lot of songs, particularly in the front half of the album. I guess you could say I'm asking myself...'Is This It'? Again, I get that's the point, and it was supposed to be a modern take on more simplistic garage rock of the 60s and 70s, but it just doesn't really do much for me. I do certainly understand the impact it had on music at the time. I mean, you couldn't go anywhere for freakin' years without hearing the singles from this album, along with countless other and equally boring copycat bands. I can't really talk much shit about this album, it just doesn't really vibe with what I'm into. The Strokes are your favorite band? Cool, that's great, I probably won't roast you for it. Compared to most other pop music of the era, or even today? Yeah totally, I can get down with listening to this, no problem. But that's a pretty low bar I don't care to set. So these songs will likely only continue to be heard by me in hipster bars and other public places, where it's perfectly fine and acceptable background music that won't worsen anyone's public experience. Certainly won't enhance it much, either.

Flawless

Slightly biased as it’s my type of music and I like the strokes already. It was an album that I enjoyed listening too, but for me it didn’t have too many memorable songs on it

Really fun and energetic album with really catchy songs. Literally doesn't waste a single second of your time every song is just perfectly made 10/10 Favourite: Take It or Leave It Least Favourite: None

This is #day260 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… "I just wanted to be one of The Strokes," right? This is one of those snapshots of an album whose role in the early '00s post-punk revival is undeniable. There's something peculiar about what you hear on the band's debut. It feels like it's meant to sound vintage. There's this great mix of '70s punk and garage, but with a distinctly modern indie rock twist. Guitar pop begs the description. Sure, you can complain about the production and the buried vocals, but honestly, I don't mind that. In fact, I think that's part of what makes this album. It is what it is, a little rough around the edges. There are so many great tunes here: the title track, "The Modern Age," "Someday," "Last Nite," "Take It Or Leave It," and others. Is this it? Yes. And this is a 5 out of 5. Looking forward to #day261.

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.

Maybe there was a lot of hype, but I still like this album. Another of the few times that NME didn’t lie to us.

Lots of great songs on this album, including The Modern Age and Alone, Together. There's a very specific sound to this album which we appreciated.

A bit too whiny and LoFi for my tastes. Today was not a good day for me for listening to music like this. Nursing a post promotion (C’mon Leeds) party hangover. Where’s Brian Eno when you need him to sooth? 2/5 22/4/25

Good!

Boring? Not my jam! I can see why people find it as thrilling as watching paint dry. 2/5 stars for the excitement!

Great front to back. All bangers.

Solid

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

Classic bouncy fun rock

Really solid throughout!

I love the minimalism of this album.  This is low-fi at its best.  The two guitar players work so well off of each other.  It still seems fresh and raw after all of these years. Liked Songs Added: Is This It Barely Legal Someday Last Nite Take It Or Leave It

Always feel that The Strokes are one-note and overrated. This full album made for some decent background music while working in the car shop waiting room.

Fantastic album. Hard to believe that this album cover was considered taboo back in 2001, as well as NYC Cops.

All the songs sound the same.

awesome

I really, really liked this. I’m not surprised — it’s been a favorite among the guys I’ve dated lol. I just never gave it a chance myself. Even so, it’s 4 stars for me. It would be a 5 if the vocals were a little farther forward in the mix. As is, they’re too garbled and hidden behind the baseline — bummer.

Great album, consistent themes in songwriting and tone. I should listen to this at least once per year. It’s against like fine wine

So impressed with this album. These guys are on top of their game. A plus. Incredible music.

Thes guys fuck

Great album from top to bottom. One of my faves!

I really liked this album!

Brings me back to the turn-of-the-century where guitar rock made a good comeback. Some classics on this and some ones that I haven’t really listened to for a long time. Muy solid

Damn so many jams!! Iconic albums from the 2000s.

I remember the early days of the current century. When a band emerged to save Rock and Roll. That band was The Strokes. So much hype surrounded this album and band. Which is a shame because It can't hold the weight of all that. Hell as a young one I tried to bounce hard off this band because of all that hype. But I gave it a chance and thought it was excellent. It's an enjoyable record. It's fun. It was a breath of fresh air after the years of post-grunge and nu-metal. Ultimately it didn't save Rock and Roll but it did lead a charge of similar sounding bands. Looking back you can hear this sound in other artists of the time.

Me encanta

I think there's a reason that they had nearly no success outside the English-speaking countries. They are simply too generic, with no real appeal to them. I can't understand the hype.

peak

I like it

Phenomenal sound. Heavily addicting. 5 stars. But what are these lyrics?? Still 5 stars.

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.

Possibly the last rock and roll album.

Boring

This album really came and went for me. Nothing about it was bad by any means, but it quickly became inoffensive background music to me. None of the choruses or instrumentals stuck with me after multiple listens. I was very meh. The ratings don't use half ratings, but I'd give this a 2.5/5 to be more accurate

Loved this album.

Já tenho imenso gosto por esse álbum desde a minha adolescência. Há nele grandes bangers e clássicos que escuto até hoje. Esse disco definiu em muitos sentidos o caminho pelo qual o indie se desenvolveu nos anos seguintes, muito influente e com razão de ser - 10/10

Not really my taste, the voice is a bit too raspy for me.

It was fine.

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

Really great indie rock. I do wish the production was a little better. 4

Onhan tämä oman aikansa tuote. Harmillisesti bändi ei ole saanut yhtä hyvää plattaa sen jälkeen. Ilahduttavaa kuunnella. 4/5

Onhan tämä paikkansa ansainnut 2000-luvun alun indierock-eliitissä. 4/5

Yeah, I had a Strokes-fangirl moment, is that obvious?

1. Is This It - 8.5/10 2. The Modern Age - 8.4/10 3. Soma - 8.5/10 4. Barely Legal - 8.5/10 5. Someday - 7.5/10 6. Alone, Together - 8/10 7. Last Nite - 8.4/10 8. Hard to Explain - 8.5/10 9. New York City Cops - 8.5/10 10. Trying Your Luck - 8.2/10 11. Take It or Leave It - 8.5/10 8.5/10

Str8 fire easy to listen to all songs sound similar but unique energy best 35 minutes of my life

Very solid and easy to listen to. Short and sweet with plenty of really good moments to make this a great album to sit with or dance to. No real low spots, but nothing that demands to be listened to. Top tracks: Is This It, The Modern Age, Barely Legal

I liked it a lot. I really like the style and listen to it when practicing guitar. I checked out their other stuff and really liked Selfless.

Amazing of course

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

Jävlar vad det svänger! Hade varit klockren femma om Reptilia var med, nu är det gränsfall men känner mig generös. Lyssnade flera gånger.

This was a good album.

What can I say, I'm a millennial who grew up listening to The Strokes so obviously I'm sentimental when it comes to that band. This one's probably their most acclaimed album, but it's not my personal favourite, as I feel the production on their tracks improved massively over the next few records. This one's still one of the most cohesive albums in recent history though, and just a solid effort overall. 4 stars

First time listener to the Strokes. This is a very solid album. They’ve continued the long tradition of gritty New York underground bands like Velvet Underground, New York Dolls, Television and the Ramones. I like the muddy, LoFi feel to the production. Good lyrics, catchy riffs. New discovery for me. I’m a fan!! Solid 4⭐️

Awesome album. I really enjoyed it. A bit shorter than I would've liked but overall this was banger after banger. "Barley Legal" was fire. 4/5

Still a killer! Hard to believe it came out 24 years ago!

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.

One of my fave albums growing up in my indie rock phase

Nice , poppy album

Important to note how much this album helped changed music and aspects of culture. Ushered in a new type of alternative music. Instrumental in creating hipsters and bringing back skinny jeans (for better or worse). It sounds like a lot of music of that time but it was one of the first. Casablancas comments on brunch are pretty funny considering when I think of that time period and the music and culture he helped to usher in. Boozy brunch is one of the things that really pops into my head. Not his fault but yea, this album is exactly of a certain time and maybe type of person. It's great though.

I wasn’t really that into The Strokes even tho I had a few songs from them that I really liked like calli it fate,call it karma. Even since I hear this album it has been on repeat The modern age must be my fave truck on there

YESSSSSSSSSS FIVE STARS

Pretty damned solid stuff. The last couple of tracks drag a little bit -- but it does what it was meant to do: A shoutout to the music that Julian Casablancas' evil father had on in the 70's in NYC. Straight line from the Velvets to the Strokes.

Ich habe beim Hören nicht wirklich bemerkt, wo ein Lied aufhört und wo das nächste anfängt. Es klingt nicht schlecht, nur halt etwas monoton.

one of my favourite albums of all time

british “people” strike again

This was like one big song. In a good way of course.

This albums fucks. May have to get on vinyl

Det er sku ikke lige min kop te men point for album cover.

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.

Lyrics were cool. But the music itself - not my jam! 🥲 The instruments were a bit too overpowering for my tastes - both in terms of its volume and texture! Album rating: ⭐⭐

Forever one of my favorite albums by one of my favorite bands. Love this one.

Monotonous but kinda hits

Stone cold classic. Effortlessly cool. Blazed a trail at the beginning of the new millennium without looking like they even cared. Not only the music but suddenly the fashion on the street changed. There was a buzz again about guitar music. Scuzzy, rough and beautiful. One of my top albums

Didn’t enjoy, didn’t even finish the album

i love this album but gooner cover

Hoy lunes de, en mi caso, volver a la preadolescencia y a la adolescencia de la mano de estos sonidos: las guitarras, la percusión, la voz de Julian Casablancas, fueron como lugares más seguros frente a la revolución interna que implica ser adolescente. Hace mil que no lo escuchaba así que no recordaba lo tremendo de éste álbum debut. Gracias y hasta mañana

Solid. About 20 minutes too long. 3/5

Is this it? I have never been able to understand the hype around this album. Maybe you just needed to be there when it dropped. To me this album has no punch, no dynamics, the melodies aren't worth remembering, the drums have no life to them, and I hate the guitar sound

Straightforward rock and roll of its time but still very listenable. It is what it is and sometimes that's enough to be great.

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.

Easy to listen start to finish

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

Another 1001 Album Generator shit album that the algorithm has been paid to promote. What a load of crap.

Great album! They always come off to me as a good mixture of catchy and almost needlessly cool.

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

indie vibe i dig

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.

It starts slow but after 2-3 songs it's picking up pace. Takes me back to my teenage years.

Top 10 favourite. 2001, 21 years old at University. It was like this album was made for me - angular guitar underwritten with classic 60s pop sensibilities. I can remember where I was when I 1st heard Last Nite, and that is what your Favourites are all about.

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.

is this the most important record of the early 2000s? it's possible! it spawned so many imitators that it's hard to listen without hearing those (everybody talks by neon trees, a truly terrible song that i completely forgot existed until i heard it on the radio a few days ago, is such a blatant ripoff of the modern age that it's crazy) I hate most of those bands and yet I still love this album. It's just a bunch of unbelievably solid tunes. so good

I bought this when first released but other than the singles from it & a couple of the album tracks, it never wowed me. I enjoyed revisiting it but it still leaves the same impression.

A punk band I assume. Not my style

This album really does it for me. It just feels cool and carefree. Maybe a little snarky. Idk. I've always dug the sound of this album, and it doesn't disappoint whenever I go back to it.

a classic, very early 200s rock

Thinking 4

I don't get this at all. It's the most monotonous album I've heard on this list (yet). I couldn't tell one song from another. Vocals are washed out and muddy. Music is repetitive and hookless. This honestly just sucks. A trash album that definitely doesn't deserve a place on this list... or even space on a dusty shelf at FYE.

I remember this being a thing when it came out. I didn’t apply too much interest in this as I found it to be nothing special. I was right. It all sounded the same. I didn’t get this.

Love last night, and someday.

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.

01) Is This It - 8,0 02) The Modern Age - 7,5 03) Soma - 7,5 04) Barely Legal - 7,5 05) Someday - 10,0 06) Alone, Together - 7,5 07) Last Nite - 10,0 08) Hard to Explain - 8,0 09) New York City Cops - 8,0 10) Trying Your Luck - 7,0 11) Take It or Leave It - 7,5 TOTAL: 8,05 (81/100) Current ranking: 156/495

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.

Was alright

I liked it! 4.

Personal enjoyment: 5/5 Relevance to this list: 5/5

banger after banger after banger

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

10/10 hard to explain is one of the best songs oat

Rating: 5/5 | Favorite Track: Take It or Leave It --- One of my all time favorite albums, pretty much as close to perfect as an album can be in my opinion. The best example of the 2000's garage rock revival.

really good album with a couple greats

On the bleeding edge of the 2000s alt sound. Love it!

Lotta hype when these guys came on the scene. Love their sound, it was unique at the time. Great record

I can’t possibly explain everything this album means to me. It feels weird to even try to talk about how great it is, because it feels like I’m talking about something deeply personal. So whatever, shut up, one of the greatest albums of all time, love you, you deserve a crown. xoxox

Macht mich einfach glücklich

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

Lot of good jams on here

Blueprint for 2000s rock

What can I say that hasn’t already been said. The Strokes defined a generation. If someone tells you they don’t like the Strokes, you can’t trust them.

It's interesting that for how, no matter how my taste keeps trending towards more weird and experimental music, I still just really enjoy this album (and most of The Strokes discography really). It's rare for a poppy rock album to hit right with me the way this one does but genuinely the way these songs sound just feel so timeless and of its time, it's weirdly nostalgic for me because of it. Maybe it's also the fact that it alludes to so much iconic 60s rock like The Velvet Undergound while also not being pure TVU worship and more it's own brand of garage rock that knew how to write good and interesting songs. This one is great, no notes, just great, even if the rest of their discography didn't hit for me the same until The New Abnormal which is a crazy amount of time to make something that can match your insane debut.

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.

Jangly, and the greatest break up song ever.

point9.

Me on the first track: Wait, why am I not getting this? Were the Strokes never actually that good after all? Me for the rest of the album: Apologies, Mr Casablancas, I was not familiar with your game. Like, it's arguably a little samey at points, but it grooves, it's punchy, it doesn't overstay its welcome, it gave us Franz Ferdinand, and it's got Last Nite on it. It is once again a good day for dirtbag music.

Good little album, only 35 minutes but really solid.

Having seen this on loats of "best albums ever" and "iconic rock" and so on for twenty to thirty years, I've finally listened to it and, let me tell you, the album name hit it on the head. Is this it? It's so much of the same old indie rock scene, and nothing here stands out as anything worth coming back to. It's not awful, but it's not good.

легендарная группа. альбом крепкий, но не лучший, несколько хороших песен, чувствуется зарождение стиля

É um bom primeiro álbum do The Strokes, pena que hoje em dia The Strokes não tá mais roquinho. Meu primeiro vício foi em Soma, depois passou para Hard To Explain e hoje em dia é Trying Your Luck. Mas as músicas são legais, embora não seja meu álbum favorito do The Strokes.

esse aqui mudou vidas viu (literalmente). gosto quando playboys nepobabies ricos se reúnem para fazer boa música ao invés de destruir o mundo por ai!!! uma das maiores (se nao for a maior) influência para o indie rock. eu amo eu.

I LOVE this album and I'm not sure why I never listen to it anymore. Every song is perfect, there's not a single song I skip or dislike even a bit. There are precious few albums I can say that about; not even some of my all-time favourites are front-to-back winners. I was only familiar with the version that had "New York City Cops" on it. Admittedly, I hadn't even heard its replacement "How it Started" until today, nor did I even know about the change until years later. For me, this album harkens back to 2001's early internet era. I distinctly remember using Audiogalaxy to burn a copy of this at my grandparents' house, as they had DSL and a newer computer with a CD burner. If you're under the age of about 30, I'm sorry, but you missed the halcyon days of pirating music online. Of course, now you can listen to whatever you want, whenever you want. Back then, access to music was limited and expensive, unless you were content with the library's catalogue and/or the TV/radio. If you were lucky, a friend would have a CD you wanted, and you'd find a way to burn a copy of it for yourself. Going to a website, typing in what you wanted, and simply clicking "Download" was amazing. I still have so much music from that fleeting, perfect time. Once I had my burned copy of this in hand (which I still have, nearly 24 years later), I listened to it constantly. Even my mom -- who hates everything made after 1975 -- liked it. The Strokes had an official website that sold merch. I REALLY wanted a t-shirt, but online commerce was a new concept at the time, and there was no way my mom would trust putting her credit card number onto the information superhighway. I resorted to buying a blank hoodie and printing The Strokes logo onto iron-on transfer paper. I did a terrible job and could never wear it outside the house. Every time I've seen someone wearing a shirt with The Strokes' logo, the 15 year old in me is still envious. Anyway, back to 2025, this album is still wall to wall bangers and holds up perfectly well. This album became the foundation of my teenage musical taste and would be in the Mount Rushmore of millennials' seminal albums.

This is an album that I always have a good time listening to. It's both chill and exciting at the same time. When listening, I can't exactly put my finger on what makes it good, but somehow it always just feels cool. Sounds incredible early 2000s but not tired in any way.

What an iconic album cover for such a great album. Rock and roll influencers of the time. So many bangers. Just makes me want to shake my body and let it all out.

Just the album for me, completely iconic, not a wrong note, and honestly reworked my brain back in the day. Feels like the greatest album ever when you’re listening to it

Really thought I was going to be on the high end of ratings for the one! You guys are wild! Anyway this album rocks and was one of the first few vinyl albums I bought from cheapies back in the day and so it holds a very special place in my heart. And New York City Cops is the best

Just one of the best albums ever. It’s kinda truly unreal how good this thing is

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

Is this it… my sentiments exactly

I love niche, underground, indie bands

Awesome stuff

This is an album I didn’t get into at the time. I enjoyed the songs I hward, but wasn’t an album i purchased, being in uni at the time available funds were spent on other vices. Definitely some cools songs and remains cool nearly 25 years later.

Too cool for me you or anyone else for that matter. Great lo-fi retro garagey sounds, bespoke for a musical spot on SNL.

Love it x

Das ist ja richtig gut. Wow

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

Easy 5. Unlocked all my end of middle school, start of high school nostalgia. We'd jam to this driving around aimlessly - a perfect soundtrack to scream-sing in the car. 5/5

Love this album. Nut for the liberal use of radio EQ on Julian Casablanca’s’ vocals

interessante!

Classic

Around 2006, I was heavily using Pandora, a streaming music app with an early recommendation algorithm. I would create a station, meticulously curate it via votes and additional artists, and play for hours while I worked. Inevitably, they would all end up becoming stations devoted to The Strokes. I hate The Strokes, but for some reason, Pandora was convinced that they were perfectly tailored to my taste. Almost everything I like has some crossover with The Strokes, but they mash it all together in a way that ends up being completely unappealing.

This is actually a flawless album. Not much else to say.

This album was very fun, however; i do believe it could’ve been better but for being a debut album it is very enjoyable, and it’s better than tom macdonald so i’ll take it.

Rely consistently good