Is This It- The Strokes-- A CD Review
It's the late 60's and as Lester Bangs would have said, Rock is Dead. But is it? Well not if the new album by The Strokes "Is This It" has anything to say about it. You think the single "Last Night," is good? Well that is the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Put on your leather jacket, throw some grease in your hair and take a walk with me into the past … I mean the future.

The title track draws you in slowly, and singer Julian Casablancas' whine pulls you right down to where he is, sprawled across the floor asking the question Is This It? A bit slower than the other tracks, this song is compact, to the point and enjoyable, a really nice little tune that will end up on some mixed CD's I'm sure of it. The Modern Age however immediately grabs you by the scruff of the neck and says this is rock and roll. A bit repetitious that could end up bad news if it got over played on the radio, Casablancas' croon is just spot on here. This guy has got talent written all over him, a cross between Jim Morrison, Joey Ramone and Morrissey. Yes I just said Morrissey.

Soma, Barely Legal, and Someday all really rock nicely. You get a very distinct feeling what this band sounds like live from this album. These guys paint a very good picture of what life should be or what they would like it to be. Sure I guess this is a happy album, I mean it rocks but it's happy, and maybe that's one of the reasons it's good. It's not someone complaining about their father beating them or growing up poor. Wouldn't it be nice if this style caught on?

The guitar work on Alone Together just rocks, this is what rock n roll is people, at its best. The vocals swoop in after the solo and Casablancas just takes it up a notch and the song finishes perfectly. The single Last Night is great as we are all hearing, a good tune to get these guys noticed. My least favorite track Hard to Explain is just that, a bit much for me but it would be too much to ask for a perfect album. Casablancas channels Jim Morrison for track When It Started. Jeff Martin should watch this guy. Trying Your Luck and Take It Or Leave It are two really good songs, a really great way to end the album. This really is an outstanding album start to finish, these guys seriously rock.

Honestly people we've all been waiting for the next big thing, something to come in and wipe the stale taste of Grunge and Alternative out of our mouths. Well we asked the question and The Strokes have answered. Is This It?

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