Sunday, September 25, 2011

is this it









The Strokes invigorated rock and roll with the gritty retro riffs and exuberant power pop punk attitude of their debut album. Their Rough Trade EP 'The Modern Age' made serious waves in the UK and led to sold out tours and bidding wars. After signing with RCA, they recorded 'Is This It' with Gordon Raphael at his Transporterraum basement studio in New York City, where they had recorded their EP. Most of the songs were recorded once, to pursue a raw live sound; and the low-fidelity vocals were produced with a small practice amp. Released first in Australia to capitalize on a recent tour, it peaked at number five there. In the UK, it debuted at number two. The American release was delayed by the attacks of September 11, and the album cover and track listing were changed to avoid controversy. It only made it to number thirty three on the US album chart; but it had a powerful effect on the recording industry, giving alternative guitar bands a new commercial credibility.








http://thestrokes.com/









The sleepy groove of 'Is This It' pokes fun at the hype surrounding the band.

"Can't you see I'm trying
I don't even like it. I just lied to
Get to your apartment, now I'm staying
Here just for a while.
I can't think 'cause I'm just way too tired."



'Hard To Explain' was the first single. It peaked at number twenty seven on the US Modern Rock Tracks chart and at number sixteen in the UK.

"I missed the last bus
I take the next train
I try, but you see
It's hard to explain
I say the right things
But act the wrong way
I like it right here
But I cannot stay
I watch the tv
Forget what I'm told
Well I am too young
And they are too old
The joke is on you
Cos this is a zoo
You're right, it's true"




'Someday' was the third single, peaking at seventeen on the US Modern Rock Tracks chart and number twenty seven in the UK.

"My ex says i'm lacking in depth
I will do my best
You say you want to stay by my side
Darling your head's not right
I see alone we stand, together we fall apart
Yeah I think i'll be alright
I'm working so I won't have to try so hard
Tables they turn sometimes"



'The Modern Age' clearly shows the influence of the Velvet Underground.

"Up on a hill, that's where we begin
This little story, a long time ago.
Start to pretend, stop pretending
It seems this game is simply never-ending
Oh, in the sun, sun having fun
It's in my blood.
I just can't help it,
Don't want you here right now,
Let me go
Let me a go-go-go-go-go-go-go-go."



'Barely Legal' tells a story of first experiences and pregnancy scares.

"And all together it went well
We made pretend we were best friends
And then she said Oh I can wait
They ordered me to make mistakes
Together again like the beginning
It all works somehow in the end
The things we did the things you hide
For the record it's between you and I "



'Last Nite' was the second single and became their biggest song (so far) in the US, peaking at number five on the Modern Rock Tracks chart.

"Last night she said
Oh baby I feel so down
Way to turn me off
When I feel left out
So I, I walked out
Oh baby don't care no more
I know this for sure
I'm walking out that door"





'Is This It' 
full album:


All tracks written by Julian Casablancas.

1. Is This It - 0:00
2. The Modern Age - 2:33
3. Soma - 6:06
4. Barely Legal - 8:44
5. Someday - 12:41
6. Alone, Together - 15:48
7. Last Nite - 19:00
8. Hard to Explain - 22:18
9. New York City Cops - 26:07
10. Trying Your Luck - 29:40
11. Take It or Leave It - 33:09
12. When It Started - 36:24




00:00 - Is This It 
02:32 - The Modern Age
06:00 - Soma
08:33 - Barely Legal
12:28 - Someday
15:32 - Alone, Together
18:40 - Last Nite
21:54 - Hard To Explain
25:39 - New York City Cops
29:12 - Trying Your Luck
32:35 - Take It or Leave It
35:51 - When It Started


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