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ALBUM COVER - BMG/RCA.
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Strokes rise to music stardom
By Joe Riippi
Flat Hat Staff Writer
For most recording artists these days, it takes a while before they put out an album that really brings them into the spotlight. Rarely does a debut album have as big an impact on music as The Strokes' debut "Is This It." Formed in 1999 in New York City, The Strokes have climbed the ladder to stardom at an incredible rate.
The album is filled with quintessential rock and roll that evokes natural comparisons to the British bands of the '70s like David Bowie and the Velvet Underground, while vocalist Julian Casablancas delivers vocals that sound more than a little reminiscent of Lou Reed.
Clocking in at only a little more than 35 minutes, "Is This It" marches through its 11 tracks quickly and forcefully, always leaving the listener a couple of measures behind.
At first listen, one is struck first by Casablancas' vocals, which, distorted through the mix, provide a vintage, raw element to the songs. Also, Nick Valensi and Albert Hammond's guitar work throughout the album is incredibly synchronized.
The rhythm section plays just as important a role. Nikolai Fraiture's bass offering as vital a musical layer as the guitars, and Fab Moretti's drum work leaves no doubts that he has been playing since he was but five years old.
"Is This It" opens with the title track, which is built around a singular arpeggio of a guitar riff, and then expands until it is abruptly cut off after about two minutes. It then leads into "The Modern Age," which, unlike the previous track, is loud and strong the entire time.
The first single is "Last Nite" a very catchy sing-along that can most aptly be described as the musical adaptation of a juice box. It's fun.
"Is This It" is best described as a whole album, rather than a group of individual tracks. This is due mostly to the shortness of the LP and that none of the tracks really stand out as belonging to a different genre than the rest. It's a great album by a band that will hopefully be around for a very long time, "Is This It" is a necessary album for any music fan.
Is This It - **** 1/2*
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