Album: The Strokes

Is This It, Rough Trade

Simon Price
Saturday 25 August 2001 19:00 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Hating The Strokes is the easy option. You needn't search far for excuses. Five eligible Manhattan bachelors, they're young (19-22), stylish, spoilt and rich.

Hating The Strokes is the easy option. You needn't search far for excuses. Five eligible Manhattan bachelors, they're young (19-22), stylish, spoilt and rich. And not since Menswear has a band been so talked-about having done so little. You only need one reason to love them, though. Is This It is a classic debut album: no overriding concept, just the first XI of the band's repertoire to date, their live set in a different order. The Strokes come equipped with no agenda, just the thrill of the moment, distilled adrenalin in audio form. Songs like "Hard To Explain" and "Barely Legal" may resemble VU's "White Light/White Heat" cranked up to 78rpm, but despite their NYC heritage, they often sound more like a stroppy little English mod band. "Last Nite", their finest moment, is insanely melodic power-pop (think The Jam's "Town Called Malice"). Everything about The Strokes is sharp, pared, "neat neat neat".

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in