The Strokes
INTRODUCTION by Oleg Sobolev
Fortunately, I’ve got nothing much to write about these guys in introduction, except line-up, because everybody knows about them. They are big and they want to rock. So there, good for them. Line-up: Julian Casablancas – vocals; Nikolai Fraiture – bass (the only one virtuoso in the band); Albert Hammond Jr. and Nick Valensi– guitars; Fabrizio Moretti– drums. Cool names, guys!
REVIEWS
IS THIS IT, 2001
Overall rating: 9*
Best song: NEW YORK CITY COPS
Worst song: THE MODERN AGE
Cool, catchy and rocking. Get it, man
Written by Oleg Sobolev
Every day when I return back home from school, I put this album on. I don’t know why, but I do it every day. And I can’t stop listening to it. I know it all sounds the same, I know that Fab Moretti drums like drum machine, I know that it’s not good for the singer to sing through some device in every song, and I know this one doesn’t rock as hard as it’s supposed to do, but it rules anyway. Julian Casablancas is just a really good songwriter, I tell you. He knows what is a catchy riff, what is a great hook and he knows how to write a melody. Plus, he knows what is an ideal length for an album that sounds the same. Thirty-six minutes of the music I listen to every day. Incredible.
The album opens with the title track, which might be the poppiest thing any new garage rock band has ever done. However, the melody is great, Nikolai brings in one of his best (maybe THE best) basslines, and Julian really makes you think “he’s just way to tired”. Following “The Modern Age” isn’t exactly a very memorable song, and it’s just simply bland, so dump it. “Soma” is much better, with awesome guitar battle, infectious “stop... and goooooo” chorus and fantastic last part, where Julian’s voice just defines word “angst”.
“Barely Legal” is one of the best songs on here, with just standard, but catchy garage rock in the verses and absolutely phenomenal “And all together it went well/ We made pretend we were best friends...” chorus. And, once again, Julian brings some real emotion to the song – he really sounds like to him “his life doesn’t make a sense”. The single “Someday” is the song that perfectly fits for a sunny day, believe me. Another great guitar riff, another cool bassline and charming, just incredibly charming chorus. “Alone Together” has a great chorus and, Fabrizio’s drumming is quite effective on here, actually.
The lead single “Last Nite” is, from what I heard, rip-offed from some Iggy Pop song, but, whatever – this song just kicks ass. Julian sings like a macho on here! Really! “Laaaaast night, she said...”. And the song has got solo! And the chorus is one of the catchiest moments on the whole record! “Hard To Explain” is not less impressive, though – chorus is driving and the song itself has a cool, very robotic sound (listen to the drums! Listen to the drums!), but, still, the chorus is my favourite moment on the record... But, wait, actually, the pre-chorus part of “New York City Cops” IS my favourite!.. Oh, that “New York City Cops” song. I can listen to it all day and I will never get tired, I tell ya! From HILARIOUSLY DUMB intro to the chorus – the song is just a punk perfection. The melody is fast, energetic and cool, vocals are effective, and that pre-chorus part with bouncy-to-the-top guitars bring me to heaven. Maybe the best song of this “new wave of garage rock” so far.
Sadly, but after three best songs on record, two last, “Trying
Your Luck” and ‘Take It Or Leave It”, seem to be not very
necessary, but they are filled with hooks! Check that “TAKE IT! OR LEAVE
IT! TAKE IT! OR LEAVE IT!” in the later... Ah, wait, actually, I can’t
remember anything about “Trying Your Luck”. Whatever. The album
is ass kicking as hell.
Reader Comments:
From: Guy Peters
I'm glad you give the album the credit that it deserves in my opinion.
Despite all the backlash, this is still one hell of an album, and a great
debut. I'm curious whether they'll ever be able to top it. I wasn't very
impressed when i heard it the first time, but after several listens i really
got 'into' it, just because that - underneath - the similar sound of most
of the songs, they have GREAT melodies. Obviously inspired by VU, the stooges
(or iggy solo), television, maybe even the feelies, etc, but the band CAN
play, and the band CAN write very good songs. I don't know who told you
that "last nite" is a rip-off of a iggy pop song, but it's just
not true. of course his voice sounds like iggy, and the chugging rhythm
is remotely similar, by they didnt steal more than beulah stole from the
beach boys or the jam from the kinks. it's just using influences and turning
it into an entirely new thing.
as for my favorites: i do think that "the modern age" is a great
song, i like it's nearly-spastic rhythm; and for some reason i also have
a spot for "trying your luck" which has one of the best choruses
of the entire album (imo).
i also saw 'em play live early last year, and while it wasn't a mindblowing
experience, they ROCKED, played every song of the album with guts and precision,
as well as two new songs. respect! needless to say i think you did a good
job with the review. the strokes are worth it, which cannot be said about
the vines.