Album of the day - The Strokes (Is This It)

BlueHammer85

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Is This It is the debut studio album by the American rock band the Strokes. Recorded at Transporterraum in New York City with producer Gordon Raphael, the album was first released on July 30, 2001, in Australia, with RCA Records as the primary label. The record entered the UK Albums Chart at number two and peaked at number 33 on the U.S. Billboard 200, going on to achieve platinum status in several markets. "Hard to Explain", "Last Nite", and "Someday" were released as singles.

For the album, the Strokes strived to capture a simple rock sound that was not significantly enhanced in the studio. Building on the work of their 2001 debut EP, The Modern Age, the band members molded compositions largely through live takes during the recording sessions, while songwriter Julian Casablancas continued to detail the lives and relationships of urban youth. Following the completion of Is This It, the Strokes embarked on a promotional world tour before its release. The album's cover photograph courted controversy for being too sexually explicit and was replaced for the U.S. market. The American track listing was also amended in light of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Promoted by the music press for a melodic pop-influenced sound, the Strokes garnered critical acclaim and commercial attention. Is This It was praised for its charisma and rhythm, which often referenced the works of 1970s garage rock bands. The record is considered crucial in the development of other alternative bands and of the post-millennial music industry. It has featured in several publications' lists of the best albums of the 2000s and of all time


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


16 years ago i bought this, 16 years! how has that happened - anyhow, a great album. Loved it then and love it now. A great debut that seemed to pave the way for guitar bands in the 00's, none of these tracks have dated and still sounds fresh as ever - heavily influenced by the velvet underground you could be forgiven 'The Modern Age' it is Lou Reed on vocals at times with one of the best guitar riffs in a song. 'Is This It', 'Someday' and 'Last Nite' the other released singles all very good retro Indie songs - the only criticism i will give is there is a few similar sounding songs with the album tailoring off near the end which prevents this from being a true classic

8.9/10



 
As a collective sound, the band are the most "tight" I've heard in my lifetime (35). Saw them at the Apollo back in their pomp.. the only time I've used a tout. £35 I paid for a £17 ticket. Bargain.

Did they ever headline Glasto? Shocking if that's still not the case.
 
As a collective sound, the band are the most "tight" I've heard in my lifetime (35). Saw them at the Apollo back in their pomp.. the only time I've used a tout. £35 I paid for a £17 ticket. Bargain.

Did they ever headline Glasto? Shocking if that's still not the case.

I should have mentioned how good they are live, always thought Casablanca's voice was distorted for songs - but he sounds exactly the same live.
 
Take it or leave it. Great track and apt to my (then) situation.

Bought that album and at the time, i was working 12 hour night shifts in an injection moulding factory. Played it and many other albums on full blast to drown out the fucking tedium and monotony of a boring mundane job.

So glad i got off that graveyard shift and out of the place to the rational sanity of working days in a job I've enjoyed ever since, breathing fresh air, and free from the fat beady eyed porno 'tached Ron Jeremy lookalike manager, the ****.

Never had SAD since.
 

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