The strokes- is this it 2001
Vocals: Julien Casablancas
Guitar: Albert Hammond JR
Guitar: Nick Valensi
Bass: Nikolai Fraiture
Drums: Fab Moretti
The strokes started the new york city under ground rage. Great bands like the yeah yeah yeahs, interpol and hot hot heat all emerged from the slap bassed driven subways of New York. Yes it did not last for long most bands rushed into the studios to record follow ups. However, most failed to reach the hights they were supposed to, including the Strokes. But this undoubtley the greatest record of 2001 and has inspired all modern day garage rockers. Not just that but the band have also re-invented the word cool. Changing the way you looked and dressed, especially teenage girl magnet Nick Valensi. Even the most influential and dont give a f**k band after 2001, the libertines dress like them.
Now onto the actual review
1) Is This It
Not the strongest of songs for an opener and it took a while to grow on me. A very catchey song with Julian showing us you dont need all the expensive recording kit. You just need a microphone with overdrive. If you dont like this song though you wont like the album. 3.5/5
2) The Modern Age
I love this song to pieces an explosive opening riff going for forty seconds with Fab playing a basic drum beat in the background with Nick and Albert dueting together before Julian comes in with his first real demonstartion of voacal talent. The song has a chorus sung in a real layed back way which is abosutely brilliant. 5/5
3) Soma
Not a great song but goes well with the album. No chorus and a minute shorter than modern age. A punkier faster track with more good guitar work from Albert and Nick not Juliens finest moment but he still sings with a purpose that you feel whilst listening to the track. 4/5
4) Barely legal
` And altogether if were well we might pretend we were best friends` snarls Julien with a great backing guitar piece at the beginning of the chorus of the finest moment all the way until track eight . The song sounds a tiny bit like the modern age but all is forgotten on another feel good track. Not much of a solo just the opening played at a faster beat. Its now that you realize this band is great. 5/5
5) Someday
The song that made me buy this album. Many albums have songs like this the arctic monkeys had `Mardy bum` Oasis had ` Roll with it`. These songs are the songs you can listen to anytime, anywhere and any situation. this song is catchey and is recorded perfectly from great giutar to lyrics sung in a way you just cant repeat. 5/5
6) Alone Together
A basic song really however it does boast the finest solo on the album which has Julien shouting over definitely the best part of the song but would you really listen to two minutes of uninspiring verses and a slightley dull riff 3.5/5
7) Last Nite
If you havent heard this song before you have either been living in a cupboard box or deaf. It is amzing for start to back. Julien builds up a tension before releasing all his energy on the chorus. 5/5
8) Hard to explain
This song is the perfect strokes song. A great guitar riff opening and played constantly through the song. Julien almost saying the verses instead of singing but its the chorus that really sticks out. Not catchey and not anthem like but absolutely brilliant. 123456789/5
9) New york city cops
This song was taken off the us album for slagging of the american police system a great song. Fabs finest monent with a drum beat opener with ju;ian singing about a girlfriend ` who cant stop saying New york city cops` 4.5/5
10) Trying your luck
The quitest song on the album. A nice song with no distortion on the guitars and Julian finally working out hoe to use a mike. This song took a while to grow on me, at first I thought it was boring. The short solo is simply gorgous.4.5/5
11) Take It or Leave it
Not the perfect way to end the album the guitar riff sounds like the chorus. The chorus is basic Julian just repeating the song title over and over again. It does go with the album theres no doubt about that but for the first time in ten songs you start to feel a bit bored, oh well.3.5/5
