Retro yes.. but still very good (Is This It - Strokes)

Member Name: Mauri

Product:	Is This It - Strokes
Date:	05/11/01 (91 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great pop songs

Disadvantages: none

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 good old, 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 Mark E Smith (on a couple of songs). 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. This is a perfect single. 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. I think this was banned form radioplay for a while after the Sept 11th events. 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 cover in interesting, A gloved hand 'stroking' a bare backside....? well it works for me!

The record has a controlled roughnes
s 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

© Mauri 2001

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