Is This It - Strokes (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 ...
...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 ...

zenmachado 26.04.2006 · Read full review
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Review of Is This It - Strokes (The)

...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 · Read full review
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Review of Is This It - Strokes (The)

...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 · Read full review
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Review of Is This It - Strokes (The)

...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 · Read full review
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Review of Is This It - Strokes (The)

...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 · Read full review
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Review of Is This It - Strokes (The)

...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 · Read full review
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Review of Is This It - Strokes (The)

...them and the resulting album is quite possibly the best album of 2001. I remained quite wary of the band at first and thought the likes of NME were getting carried away like they usually do. The first couple of singles sounded quite good but whether they could make a whole album that good was a constant question mark. I finally gave in and bought it a few months after its release following a number of people telling me how great it was. Then from ...
...these guys actually were. There is quite a simplistic rock sound to the album but I think that is part of the overall appeal. They haven't tried to break new ground with the debut but rather resurrect an old sound and give it a much more modern feel. There is a real retro feeling as hints of 70's Rock flow through with every chord of the guitar. From the opening chords of the album you can really feel the bands love of music shining through. The ...

Andy.mack 25.02.2003 (16.05.2003) · Read full review
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Review of Is This It - Strokes (The)

...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 ...
...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 ...

Mauri 18.09.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Is This It - Strokes (The)

...that everyone loves and it is difficult to find a fault. This is the case with The Strokes and their debut album ' Is This It'. It has been so hyped by certain DJs and magazines and the band have the obligatory celeb following that I really wanted to dislike it. But it is so good, completely fresh and yet reminiscent of a hundred other bands. Supercool and yet still raw The Strokes are the future of music (I hope). I have heard many people express ...
...'Hits 2001' compilation because it is better value for money. This is the nation that produced punk, people should be aware of their short album heritage! Most great songs are only 3 minutes long and it is refreshing to hear an album packed with 11 of them. Each one leaves you wanting to hear more of the same, before the next song kicks in and the process is repeated. As for the songs themselves the one criticism is perhaps that they sound too alike. ...

litebite 23.09.2001 (25.09.2001) · Read full review
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Review of Is This It - Strokes (The)

...that this falls in to is difficult to pinpoint, as it’s a blend of classic rock and roll, cobbled together with modern indie, retro Beatles, and even a hint of some Oasis style guitar breaks. Now, there are a lot of new-ish bands out there that insist on repeating the lyrics and musical undertones of a depressed psychotic, not that there is anything wrong with this style of music, Starsailor, Coldplay, Mercury Rev and Turin Brakes all pull this ...
...is something distinctly different about The Strokes, and that thing is happiness. The one thing that strikes you about this album is that it doesn’t make you want to jump off a cliff or sleep for a week, it’s relatively happy compared to most of the stuff around at the moment. Now, I’m not saying that it’s all a bundle of joy, the lyrics on Track 1 are far from cheerful, but the way in which the music is written allows the lyrics to become unimportant. ...

parkieskywalker 11.10.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Is This It - Strokes (The)

...UK. ‘Is This It’ is a short album – coming in at only 36 point something minutes – but it’s a real cracker. For me, hearing it for the first time was like a wake-up call. Energetic, rough ‘n’ ready, uplifting, get-up-and-do-it music is back with a vengeance. Many people are calling The Strokes punk, but they’re actually nothing like it to my ears. Others are claiming an Oasis influence, but again I ...
...is the best bits of every ‘new wave’ band (the post-punk progression into more tunefulness ways to be loud and fired up) you’ve ever heard with their own unique resonance and better production techniques. The late 70s and early 80s also come to mind when you’re playing this album, particularly Television, the Ramones, the Velvet Underground and the superlative Iggy. So to the songs: Is This It The Modern Age Soma Barely ...

sandrabarber 01.01.2002 · Read full review
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Review of Is This It - Strokes (The)

...The rock music scene is in dire straits; in both the English and American charts Papa Roach is soaring to the heights of success; the kids are charting for, well, Kid Rock, and the staggeringly dull Embrace have just released their latest single. It's a world dominated by nu-metal and copycat Coldplays, a world of little, nay no, originality or melody, a world in which rock and roll has been condemned to a cringe-worthy death. The only half decent ...
...in the autumn of '01, Is This It, The Strokes first full-length (ha!) CD was released, to rapturous applause, and the world was changed forever. The key here is cool; these are cool guys writing cool songs, in a cool style, doing cool things, humping cool women. Some names: vocals, Julian Casablancas; guitars, Albert Hammond Jr and Nick Valensi; bass, Nikolai Fraiture and drums, Fab Morretti. Did I mention cool names? Of the many obvious influences, ...

black_dog 03.09.2005 · Read full review
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Review of Is This It - Strokes (The)

...£15. So the key there is to shop around to get a good price. Also you may not like the music but if you buy the album you do have a picture of a rather fetching bum (worthy of the payment alone????). The album sleeve is full of portrait pictures of the band, the producer, the manager and the big JP the guru. By the way is it me of is the bass player the most uncomfortable looking person in the world, with freakishly big hands!!!! The album itself ...
...been cool. However, because it is so short it does allow you to listen to the whole album in one go. The music on the album is alternative Julian Casablanca’s voice is very distinctive and very cool/retro. Every so often I get the feeling i'm listening to it through an old radio it has a sort of musty feel about it. There are also the compulsory guitar solos spread liberally through the album. Also watch out for the odd swear word, which might ...

big_roy_lwc 07.11.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Is This It - Strokes (The)

...didn't disappoint. "Is This It?" is probably the greatest debut album since Oasis arrived with "Definitely Maybe". It has an energy which flows throughout, and has an ever present musical quality that eludes so many average bands, but all the greats find with natural ease. The Strokes have their own distinctive style. They are definitely a proper Rock N Roll band, with upbeat drums, electric guitar work and the fantastic New York drawl of lead singer ...
...and impossible to reproduce. He is one of a kind. The album is fantastic from start to finish. It is fairly short, at about 35 minutes, but takes you on such a journey during that time. The opening title track is more laid back than some, but the sheer energy shines through in every single song, be it the superb 'Someday' to the hit single 'Last Nite'. The last three tracks on the album deserve special mention; New York City Cops (Power and electricity ...

jonwebb5 04.08.2008 · Read full review
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Review of Is This It - Strokes (The)

...to the sixties. This is a ‘good time’ record- you won’t find any nu-metal angst here. Indeed, the songs all remain remarkably upbeat, often reminiscing about past times and experiences (“When did we have fun? Always”- Someday) . Julian Casablancas’ nasal and ‘lazy’ voice is brilliantly effective in burrowing its way in the minds of the listener with melodies that you will be whistling in the street. From the hit single ‘Last Night’ with its punchy ...
...song is punk rock perfection with the old nod to indie influences such as The Who. The album has sold well and is a landmark release that has managed to smash the theory that you need to roar or cry in a song to make waves in rock music these days. Quite the opposite, The Strokes sound laid back to the point of lethargy with no dual vocals, strange guitar effects, drum loops or any other pro-tools engineering that the majority of modern bands seem ...

thomlafferty 12.09.2004 · Read full review
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Review of Is This It - Strokes (The)