Significant longplayers from yesteryear
30 July 2026
NYC’s guitar rock heroes THE STROKES released their sublime
debut album IS THIS IT on 30 July 2001, today 25 years ago.
#2 in the UK, #5 in Australia, #33 in the US.
The album received widespread acclaim upon release, with critics praising it for its charisma and rhythm, which often referenced the works of 1970s garage rock bands.
The release of the album was a watershed moment and crucial in the reinvention of
post-millennium guitar music.
As a result, Is This It is widely considered to be one of the most influential albums of
all time, and has appeared in many publications’ lists of the best albums of the 2000s
and of all time.
Pitchfork wrote: “The Strokes have struck an incredible balance between the two extremes of rock music: sentimentality and listlessness. Any sentimentality in these songs’ lyrics is countered by Casablancas’ self-reliant indifference, and his listless delivery is offset by the band’s fervid attack.”
Turn Up The Volume: Along with The White Stripes, the New York dandies, who became
the champions of jangly guitar rock, dominated the first years of the new Millenium. The Strokes looked cool, acted cool, and made a totally cool debut album. Back then, this was it.
Singles.
– HARD TO EXPLAIN –
– LAST NITE –
– SOMEDAY –
ALBUM