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not many
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yes
Full review
Let's take a little trip back…picture the scene, it's the beginning of the 80's, Thatcher's Britain, riots on the streets the miners on strike. A feeling of gloom descends on the nation… Musically the nihilistic punk explosion as subsided, Punk is not quite dead but it's definitely in intensive care and the outlook isn't good! A new wave of …New Wave music is starting to surface, bands like Elvis Costello, The Jam, Eddie and The Hotrods, Joe Jackson, Graham Parker and the Rumour, Joy Division and from across the Atlantic, Blondie, Talking Heads…
So what's this got to do with The Strokes? I hear you shouting at your computer screen… well you know how Proust said that a smell can vividly trigger memories, well music can do the same and listening to the Strokes debut album transported me back to the bad old days of the early 80's.
Just like a lot of the Guitar based New Wave bands were influenced by Punk as well as earlier Proto-punk influences such as Iggy pop, Television, New York Dolls and even Lou Reed I can hear all these influences in this record. Is this a bad thing? No not necessarily but it was slightly surprising given the huge amount of hype that this band and the record were given. There is nothing new here.
The band comes from New York and like their illustrious co-resident and self appointed rock ambassador of the city, Lou Reed, their songs are also based around the streets; Sex drugs and rock and Roll. The main impetus behind the band is lead singer and main songwriter Julian Casablancas. His delivery, as sort of single tone nonchalant annunciation backed by a raw guitar sound is very reminiscent of the Iggy Pop or even Ian Curtis. His song writing skills are impressive and this record contains some great tracks. They are all well composed short pop songs and it makes for a good listen.
The record consists of the following tracks:
1.Is this it A fine first track, great lyrics and a great steady guitar melody than builds up through the track, complementing Casablancas voice 7/10
2. Modern age They crank it up in this. Very early 70's Lou Reed, Strong insistent beat and a little bit of undisguised angst in the voice. Great vocals, great track 8/10
3. Soma Great little riff at the beginning, very catchy. Steady beat until the song came to a false stop in the middle and then starts again. Good composition. 8/10
4. Barely legal This has shades of Joy Division and Television. The lead singer sometimes sound a bit like Mark E Smith from 'The Fall'. Powerful rendition and a great chorus. 7/10
5. Someday This is the hit off the record. A very upbeat anthem and Iggy pop vocals. Great song 9/10
6. Alone together Brilliant beginning again shades of Joy division…good vocals once again. 8/10
7. Last night More upbeat tunes, steady beat building up to powerful vocals. Great lyrics. 9/10
8. Hard to explain A little bit of an electronic feel to this, jangly guitars in the background. Probably the best vocals on the record. 9/10
9. New York City cops High tempo, soaring guitars and vocals. One to Pogo too. Excellent 9/10
10. Trying your luck More subdued track. Jangling guitars and more thoughtful lyrics, builds up to the chorus. 8/10
11. Take it or leave it Great song to finish on, again more up tempo, and Casablancas really shows his vocal range on this. 8/10 (On the 'Rough Trade' label)-Duration:37min short and sweet. No song is over 4min long most are just over 3 min.
The record has a controlled roughness to it and although it is very much of another time it is refreshing to hear good pop song delivered with attitude. For a debut album it is a gem. Whether it is worth the hype it was given is another matter. I don't see The Strokes as the 'saviours of Rock' a label most bands would live to regret, but they are very good and should be taken seriously. The next album will be interesting. Watch this space
Overall rating 9/10
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Is This It - Strokes
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...
Is This It -
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...
IS THIS IT
The Strokes: Julian Casablancas (vocals); Nick Valensi, Albert Hammond, Jr. (guitar);
... more
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 confid...
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