#68 of 100
· Apple Music
“Is This It at number 68 feels slightly conservative for the record that basically rewired rock radio in the early 2000s. The needle drop on "Someday" alone justifies top-50 placement—that's proto-indie rock architecture that influenced everyone from Arctic Monkeys to The Neighbourhood. Sure, it's not their most adventurous work, but the first-press energy here is infectious, and tracks like "Last Nite" still hit with that intoxicating downtown Manhattan cool. If this list is accounting for sonic innovation and cultural seismic shift, they could've pushed this higher.”
The Strokes emerged from New York City in the early 2000s as pivotal figures in the garage rock revival movement. Fronted by Julian Casablancas, the band released their debut album "Is This It" in 2001, which became a landmark release that revitalized interest in post-punk and new wave influences. The group achieved commercial and critical success with subsequent albums including "Room on Fire" (2003) and "First Impressions of Earth" (2006), establishing themselves as one of the defining bands of the 2000s. After a hiatus, they returned with "Comedown Machine" (2013) and continued releasing new material, including "The New Abnormal" (2020), maintaining their relevance while evolving their sound across their career.
Style
The Strokes blend post-punk revival with garage rock, drawing heavily from 1970s-80s new wave and punk influences. Their sound is characterized by minimalist, angular guitar work, tight rhythmic grooves, and Casablancas' distinctive vocal delivery.
Significance
The Strokes' influence on contemporary rock music and their role in the 2000s garage rock revival makes their discography essential for vinyl collectors interested in modern alternative and indie rock. Their early albums, particularly "Is This It," are considered landmark recordings that defined an era and continue to be sought after by collectors.
The Strokes recorded 'Is This It' in 2001 at Transporterraum studio in Berlin under producer Gordon Raphael, capturing the raw energy of the band's Lower East Side garage rock sound. The five-piece—fronted by Julian Casablancas—crafted 11 tracks that blended post-punk revival with infectious pop sensibilities, drawing inspiration from 1970s new wave and proto-punk acts like Television and The Velvet Underground. Recording was relatively quick and organic, with the band prioritizing live energy over heavy studio polish. Key tracks like 'Last Nite,' 'Someday,' and 'Replicas' were shaped during their formative years performing in New York venues, establishing the confident, minimalist aesthetic that would define their aesthetic.
Historical Context
Released in April 2001, 'Is This It' arrived as a cultural watershed moment for early 2000s rock music. The album became a critical darling and commercial breakthrough, credited with spearheading the garage rock revival and rescuing rock from the late-'90s dominance of nu-metal and pop-punk. The Strokes' stylish cool and art-school attitude captured the zeitgeist of post-9/11 New York, embodying a new generation's interest in new wave and post-punk. The album topped best-of lists worldwide and influenced countless bands, establishing NYC as an alternative rock hotbed once again.
Pressing Notes
The original 2001 RCA pressing on black vinyl remains highly sought-after by collectors, with early pressings featuring the original artwork (note the controversially altered album cover art for certain markets). Subsequent reissues include 2007 and 2011 editions. In 2013, a deluxe remaster was released with expanded packaging. Collectors should seek original black vinyl pressings for optimal sound quality and historical value, though modern reissues provide reliable, high-quality alternatives. The album has also appeared in limited colored vinyl variants through independent retailers.
Fever to Tell
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Shares the same early 2000s New York rock aesthetic with angular guitars and raw energy that defined The Strokes' sound.
Marquee Moon
Television
A foundational influence on The Strokes' style, featuring intricate dual guitar interplay and art rock sophistication that rewards repeated vinyl listening.
Daydream Nation
Sonic Youth
Offers experimental yet melodic guitar-driven rock that influenced The Strokes' approach to texture and unconventional song structures.
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