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The Strokes
Is This It?

Released in 2001

7.7/10

Styles
Garage Revival

Song Highlights
Barely Legal
Last Night
New York City Cops

The Strokes recieved more hype for their debut album than any band has recieved in recent memory. They were here to "Save Rock!" (along with The White Stripes & The Hives), from the clutches of a slew of unoriginal pop-punk & nu-metal bands dominating the airwaves. The expectations for this album were so high, it's something of a miracle that the end result is not a total dissapointment.

Let me say right off the mark that Is This It? doesn't live up to the hype. There were many albums released in the same year which surpassed it in terms of quality. That being said, it is still an excellent record, and definately one of the better debuts of 2001.

The Strokes approach to the whole "60s rock revival" bit is completely different to the approach of bands like The White Stripes, in that their sound is polished to the point of sounding completely squeaky clean. The album production is excellent and the group sounds almost completely flawless. This works both for and against the group.

The album is completely accessable. It's catchy and contains about a billion very effective hooks. Julian Casablancas' voice sounds terrific, and you can't really help but tap your feet and sing along. At the same time however, all this polish, production & image makes the whole affair seem a bit too gimmicky. It lacks the DIY spirit of The White Stripes, as well as the blistering energy of The Hives.

The albums highlights are the few tracks that let a bit of character slip through in front of all the production. "Barely Legal" & "New York City Cops" are both great tracks, and the single "Last Nite" is undoubtably the albums big standout.

I don't think The Strokes quite managed to save rock, but Is This It is a very impressive effort that is only marred by its general lack of character & enthusiasm. A promising start for a band which will surely improve from here.