... Young, almost all in their twenties, their debut album "Is This It?" That album arrived at our audible door step in 2001. The Strokes is lead by singer and also songwriter Julian Casablancas (the son of Elite modeling agency leader John Casablancas). Then you have guitarists Nick Valensi who ... Read review
With all the media hype that dogged the Strokes before the release of their debut album, ... more
it's rather apt that they chose the titleIs This It?. On the strength of just five songs, released over two singles, the Strokes were being hailed as everything fr...
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With all the media hype that dogged the Strokes before the release of their debut album, ... more
it's rather apt that they chose the title Is This It?. On the strength of just five songs, released over two singles, the Strokes were being hailed as everything f...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
With all the media hype that dogged the Strokes before the release of their debut album, ... more
it' s rather apt that they chose the titleIs This It?. On the strength of just five songs, released over two singles, the Strokes were being hailed as everything from the saviours of rock&roll to the Saviour Himself. Surely, few bands could live up to the impossibly high standards set for this young five-piece, but they needn't have worried:Is This It?is one of the most exciting and energetic debut albums to spring from New York's long-dormant club scene. In fact, the Strokes are a New York City band through-and-through; like the Velvet Underground, these are a bunch of uptown artsy types elegantly slumming downtown to the tried-and-tested themes of sex, drugs and rock&roll. Their singer/songwriter, the fantastically named Julian Casablancas, delivers his lyrics with a weary nonchalance that belies his age on songs such as the title track, "Soma", "Hard to Explaine" and the altogether wonderful "Barely Legal", while the band recall the likes of Television and the Stooges on "NYC Cops ", "Last Night" and "The Modern Age". Sexy, stylish and undeniably cool, here's hoping that the Strokes are the future of rock&roll.--Robert Burrow
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Advantages: This is an album that seems complete and has great fluidity Disadvantages: Its smacks of repetitiveness and its lyrics are far from deep meaning
...sun rising, strong vigorous music is not my morning cup of tea. Then, you have something that is easy listening. Since what I seek to do is to wake up rather than fall back into a coma, I don't think that would be very pleasant music. So with that in mind, my morning routine begins... before I can choose my morning music I must find my c.d. book. (Once that occurs...) I then proceed to search page after page hopping to find something that fits. Just ... ...A perfect example of that is the song Someday, which is a delightfully mover and shaker. I play that song when I feel like shaking my groove thang. Yet, while being much about pop, its not "bubble gum pop" like you find with the The Killers, Maroon 5, or Jack Johnson. It is pop but with a serious edge to it. So, to battle that morning dread I would prefer something more grown up.. than teeny bopper stuff.
Early in the morning it's problematic for me to determinate what type of music to listen to. I don't desire to listen to something heavy, for it would be an overload of thundering audibles. Hard and loud music tends to irritate me and make for a bad combination with my morning time grogginess. Since it takes me a nice little space of time to adjust to the sun rising, strong vigorous music is not my morning cup of tea. Then, you have something that is easy listening. Since what I seek to do is to wake up rather than fall back into a coma, I don't think that would be very pleasant music. So with that in mind, my morning routine begins... before I can choose my morning music I must find my c.d. book. (Once that occurs...) I then proceed to search page after page hopping to find something that fits. Just as I begin to lose hope, what do I see? That white, black, and a shade of blue. It's The Strokes' musical disk. If you're asking to yourself right now... What makes The Strokes morning listening material? Well, its the soft pop mellow musical revelry that they are quite efficient at creating. Power Rock Pop
The Strokes are one of those bands that deliver pop rock with a gritty edge. They are easy listening and at the same time have enough rhythm to pick you up from a sleeping slump and filling you up with much needed energy. A perfect example of that is the song Someday, which is a delightfully mover and shaker. I play that song when I feel like shaking my groove thang. Yet, while being much about pop, its not "bubble gum pop" like you find with the The Killers, Maroon 5, or Jack Johnson. It is pop but with a serious edge to it. So, to battle that morning dread I would prefer something more grown up.. than teeny bopper stuff.
The Strokes
Inspired by classic acts like Buddy Holly and John Lennon and the attitude and riffs of the Velvet Underground, the Strokes rose to stardom when they were blessed and (you could also say cursed...) with a huge amount of media hype. Young, almost all in their twenties, their debut album "Is This It?" That album arrived at our audible door step in 2001. The Strokes is lead by singer and also songwriter Julian Casablancas (the son of Elite modeling agency leader John Casablancas). Then you have guitarists Nick Valensi who and drummer Fabrizio Moretti which began jamming together in high school and now continue the camaraderie in this band. The other guitarists is Albert Hammond Jr.(the son of singer and songwriter Albert Hammond... who wrote songs such as "When I need you," and "To all the girls I've loved before"), and the bassist is Nikolai Fraiture. Playing in small clubs in N.Y. in a short span of time, word was out.. with rave reviews about their live shows. With that came a three-song demo called The Modern Age EP which was released in January 2001. That lead to them receiving an RCA contract. Thanks to the popularity in the U.K. their notoriety grew to great proportions, which lead to a U.S. tour. First "Is This It" was released in the U.K. The U.S. version of Is This It? that came out in October of 2001. However, the version that they released in the U.S. was a bit different than the one in the U.K. For one, they took off one of the songs. The song is called "New York City Cops" (which includes the lyrics.. "new york city cops.. they aint too smart..) They changed it to a song called "When It Started" because in wake of the terrorist attacks in N.Y. in 9-11, they felt it would be an inappropriate song to include in their album. Also, they change their album cover from a woman's figure to an artistic abstract painting type cover.
It is good...
Is This It is a musical delicacy soaked in New York style. The guitar playing plus Casablanca's singing are very distinct and original. They display a keen way to introduce a song in such a timid way and then suddenly kicking the pace up in a matter of seconds. Like watching a Mustang accelerate from 0 to 60 in a matter of seconds. Both do it with such ease and grace.
The singer Julian Casablancas gives a nonchalant yet firm and stellar performance. With the addition of the great guitar rhythms, these two keep everything intact and entertaining. Inside the music
The whole album is consistent. It holds the continuity and fluidity, that is sadly lacking in most albums. With out being redundant (although at time a bit repetitive) it holds its own style. Its mellow pop rock that you can enjoy at any time, not to mention in the morning time. Like a book or movie, the great thing that it holds is pleasant momentum. It takes you on ride that seems not in and out like some c.d.s but rather a consistent voyage that is versatile.
The only down note, is the real lack of deep meaning full lyrics. Its not really a dylan-esk or even lennon-esk feel to it, nothing really mind altering. Yet, it is pleasant for what it is. Its not an intellectual experience but it never seems that, that is what they are going for. With turbulent guitar riffs and growling vocals, this is an album that is gritty and hold an aura of having its own style. The Key Three
1. SOMEDAY - This song is very catchy. Its fast pace, make you wanna dance kind of music. Its that song that you like listening to, because it is uplifting and at the same time immensely catchy. This song was used as their second radio single and helped them not to be put on the map (which was done by Last Night) but it gave them a second hit which aided their credibility.
2. LAST NIGHT - Starts slow... Enter a quick drumming beat... We get caught by surprise by a curiously catchy melody... and then we get struck by a loud yet calm, commanding voice that does nothing else but encapsulates us in a song that is like nothing you have heard recently on the radio. The chorus in this song is filled with a stressful feeling and emotion that fixes your ear firmly on those audibles.
3. TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT - Now this song, Ill surely take. This is a loud and quick paced song that has the most power of all the songs. It is an ideal song to conclude with for its powerful and terribly infectious. It shows a captivating power that leaves you wanting more once its over.
This is it...
"Is This It" is a c.d. with oomph. A resounding Yes! To this being a satisfying experience. Plus... you receive a style that has been hovering around for ages but has never been so contagious.
Who are The Strokes?
Guitar : Nick Valensi and Albert Hammond Jr. Vocals: Julian Casablancas Drums: Fab Moretti Bass : Nikolai Fraiture
The following people were also credited in the c.d. :
Producer : Gordon Raphael Manager : Ryan Gentles (WIZ KID) Guru : JP Bowersock "Is This It"
1. Is This It 2. The Modern Age 3. Soma 4. Barely Legal 5. Someday 6. Alone Together 7. Last Night 8. Hard To Explain 9. When It Started 10.Trying Your Luck 11.Take It Or Leave It
Advantages: The album cover and that this is the best debut album in ages. Disadvantages: None - well maybe it is a bit short
...in the charts (now that IS an achievement!) and tickets to their gigs are as rare as Rocking Horse Doo Doo’s (ask Stella MacCartney). Oh yeah and Kate Moss is a fan.
So who are they?
The Strokes are a five piece band formed in 1998 comprising of Julian Casablanca (vocals), Nick Valensi (guitar), Albert Hammond Junior (guitar), Nickolai Fraiture (bass) and Fab Moretti (drums). It wasn’t until 2000 that the band really started to get noticed in the ... ...perhaps but if the quality is there do you really care? The sound is reminiscent to Velvet Underground and The Stooges – although Julian Casablancas is definitely more Mark E. Smith (of The Fall fame) rather than Lou Reed and Igy Pop. Inspirations also appear to have come from The Jam / The Clash / The Pixies / Nirvana and Oasis (well the drumming anyway). With all these ingredients to hand The Strokes have served up an absolute dream of an album.
...
scruff 21.09.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Is This It - Strokes (The)
Advantages: A classic 'must-have' album. Disadvantages: Puts their future work somewhat in the shade.
...Casablancas. Why? Because Julian Casablancas is not only possibly the finest songwriter this decade has thus far produced, he's possibly the most iconic and beautiful frontman I can think of (well his mother is a model and his father founder of the Elite agency!). Succinct as introductions go, but I need say no more. Then there's the rest of the band. They come from New York so immediately score highly on the 'Cool Counter'. But then they have names ... ...the truth of the matter is that I've (personally - I know there will be those who disagree) yet to come across a finer album this decade. There are close contenders, there are pretenders, but The Stokes are simply, in my opinion, too cool to touch. From the opening track on this album - 'Is This It' - to the closing bars of 'Take It or Leave It' there isn't one moment of anything less than genius. This album is beautifully retro without sounding ...
Fox40 27.07.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Is This It - Strokes (The)
Advantages: The Sound Of Joyful Spontaneous Combustion. Disadvantages: Sweet But Perhaps Too Short?
...even now months later it is hard to not to sit back and marvel at its genius. The Strokes seem to have it all, a lead singer with true star quality, capable it of penning worthy classics at the drop of a hash pipe. The other band members are no slouches either and would surely take centre stage at all the cool parties. Aloofness will be back in vogue as soon as the word spreads. 'Is This It?' could be viewed as an exercise in cut and paste. Garnering ... ...track dishes dirty great 'Where Is My Mind?' pixie guitar licks with slightly electrified vocal strands. The percussion is beautifully judged and one can't help feeling that the band somehow held their chaotic instincts in check for the first and last time on the album.. So much of 'Is This It?' depends on the repetitive riff that colour the tunes backdrop. It is to the credit of the bands accomplished musicianship that this trick hardly ever fails ...
indiecater 07.11.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Is This It - Strokes (The)
Advantages: full of fast angular indie-rock that satisfies consistently Disadvantages: one weak song,production is a bit weedy
...first single from the album is awesome.Cutting guitar lines,passionate vocals and a great pop melody
3.SOMA
Could be a Lou Reed classic.It's choppy and disjointed, starting and then stopping, but always brilliant.
4.BARELY LEGAL
Good track but this highlights one problem with the album, which is the production.The whole thing sounds like it was recorded underwater or they completed it and then scratched the tapes.
5.SOMEDAY
A truly uplifiting ... ...thirdalbum failedto re-capture the magic of the debut,but for a year or so,The Strokes seemed like they could be a truly exciting propostion for years to come.That hasn't been the case, but this is one of the best debut albums I've heard and can be picked up for about £5. ...
dan_wales 23.03.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Is This It - Strokes (The)
Advantages: Last Nite, Hard To Explain, The Modern Age Disadvantages: It's so so so so so so so so repetitive
...We scowl when their name is mentioned and slag them off at every opportunity. I'd heard Last Nite a couple of times, and not had the revelation that seemingly everyone else had. I'd also gone to reading Festival in 2001 and seen Eels fans crying because The Strokes had been moved to the main stage, and caused the running order to be totally buggered and Eels to be on early. I was lucky, and saw them, and then pointedly pissed off to get some food ... ...a bonfire.
As is my habit, I’ve been listening to the album while I write the review, and now I’m so sick of it I want to scream.
Everyone else seems to love this album. I, however, can’t see the point of it really as the good songs have been released, and would advise you to go out and buy an A album. Or some George Harrison. ...
thefrogprincess 01.11.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Is This It - Strokes (The)
Originality
Lyrics
Quality and consistency...
How does it compare to ...
Value for Money
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Advantages: Britpop's best Disadvantages: There are 3 Poor-Quality songs.
the mind
My mind
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Find the divide in me"
6. Fires - 3:59
Fires has a much heavier and slower beat to it than other tracks on the album. It starts with an guitar intro that reminded me a lot of TheStrokes. Thisis another consistently catchy track, which depending on your taste will either be amongst your favourites or you most hated. Personally I think it's a good, solid track that is well worth listening to.
7. Heads Held High - 4:04
Admittedly, even I don't like this song. Nicholas's voice is whiney and the verse consists of only two chords. Don't even bother with this song itis pretty abysmal; hopefully they won't write another one like this in future!
8. 8.18 - 3:45
Fortunately, this track seems to make up for the embarrassingly bad previous track. Throughout the track ...
Product Information for "Is This It - Strokes (The)" »
Product details
Title
Is This It
Performer
Strokes (The)
Genre
Rock & Pop
Sub Genre
Alternative
Release Date
27/08/2001
Recomended Retail Price
14.99 GBP
Original Release Year
2001
Label / Distributor
Rough Trade / PIAS UK/Sony DADC
Producer
Gordon Raphael
Pieces in Set
1
Studio / Live
Studio
Stereo
Stereo
Format
Performer
EAN
5050294107621
Catalogue Number
RTRADECD 030
Additional notes
Album Notes
The Strokes: Julian Casablancas (vocals); Nick Valensi, Albert Hammond, Jr. (guitar); Nikolai Fraiture (bass); Fab Moretti (drums). Recorded at Transporterraum, New York, New York. Arriving on a wave of well-earned hype rooted in tight chops and a confident swagger, The Strokes offer a rock & roll antidote to the plague of boy bands, teen divas and petulant rap-rock outfits. Despite this quintet's prep-school background, their sound comes from the same primordial ooze that spawned Big Apple legends like The New York Dolls and The Velvet Underground. Clocking in at 36 minutes, IS THIS IT packs its perfect length with stellar songs that draw inspiration from all over the map. Among the many highlights are "Last Nite" with its insistent Motown backbeat and choppy Johnny Thunders-like guitar solo, "Barely Legal," sounding like '80s-era Cure fronted by a saucy Iggy Pop, and the jangly "Someday" with its hairshirt of vulnerability from a bad break-up. While frontman Julian Casablancas (son of Elite Models founder John) drawls like Lou Reed through a busted intercom, guitarists Nick Valensi and Albert Hammond Jr. do Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd proud as their sinewy chords intertwine to great effect on the angular "The Modern Age" and equally neurotic "Alone, Together." Thanks to The Strokes, rumors of rock & roll's demise appear to have been greatly exaggerated.
Album Reviews
Rolling Stone (4/11/02, p.108) - Ranked #49 in Rolling Stone's "50 Coolest Records". Rolling Stone (1/03/02, p.119) - Ranked #8 in Rolling Stone's "Top 10 2001". Spin (1/02, p.77) - Ranked #18 in Spin's "Albums of the Year 2001" - "...Super-catchy songs that make you wanna pogo...the male Elastica" Entertainment Weekly (12/28/01, p.136) - Ranked #1 "Album of the Year". Mojo (1/02, p.69) - Ranked #3 in Mojo's "Best [40] Albums of 2001". Alternative Press (2/02, p.65) - Ranked #25 in AP's "25 Best Albums of 2001". Magnet (12-1/02, p.57) - Included in Magnet's "20 Best Albums of 2001". NME (12/29/01, p.59) - Ranked #1 in NME's 50 "Albums Of the Year 2001". Rolling Stone (10/11/01, pp.89-90) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...Pure New York rock & roll: all gray-pavement aggression wrapped in black-leather cool....The music leaves no doubts - more joyful and intense than anything else...heard this year." Q (9/01, p.120) - 5 stars out of 5 - "...A breathless, goggle-eyed, assuredly brilliant album...it works wonders." Entertainment Weekly (9/28/01, pp.71-2) - "...A blur of sooty grit and grind..." - Rating: A- Mojo (9/01, p.97) - "...A heartily uplifting brew of scruffy street style, swear words and stammering pop tunes which sweat musical history...and sound infuriatingly easy to make..." NME (8/25/01, p.49) - 10 out of 10 - "...Concise and elegant rock music by 5 young men....Indispensable....There's nothing unnecessary here..." CMJ (10/15/01, p.6) - "...One big rock'n'roll orgy..."
Titles on disc 1
1.
Is This It
2.
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
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Listed on Ciao since
06/09/2001
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