First Impressions Of Earth
by The Strokes
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Jan 3, 2006
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 476 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 396 out of 476
  2. Mixed: 46 out of 476
  3. Negative: 34 out of 476

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  1. AukeM
    Jan 17, 2006
    10
    It's perfect!!!
  2. BaldvinE
    Jan 17, 2006
    8
    I´m a fan of the Strokes. Not their best work, but it works.
  3. SK
    Jan 17, 2006
    10
    the more i hear it , the more i love it. another great release from the NY guys. it s good to have them back.love it.
  4. DavidH
    Jan 17, 2006
    8
    A pretty solid 3rd offering in my opinion.
  5. GeoffS
    Jan 15, 2006
    7
    The problem with this album is consistancy. The first five songs (yes, even Juicebox), are catchy, melodically complex, and even moving (see On the Other Side). But when the album transitions back to off-kilter songs like Ize of the World, we begin to see the limitations of The Strokes. Some songs like Evening Sun have fantastic verses, but morose and hookless chorus lines. Other songs, The problem with this album is consistancy. The first five songs (yes, even Juicebox), are catchy, melodically complex, and even moving (see On the Other Side). But when the album transitions back to off-kilter songs like Ize of the World, we begin to see the limitations of The Strokes. Some songs like Evening Sun have fantastic verses, but morose and hookless chorus lines. Other songs, notably Juicebox and Red Light, catch you after the third listen, ("You're so coooooold!") In all, I miss Is This It?, but the album shows improvement from Room on Fire; it seems that The Strokes have evolved from those lanky N.Y. kids to more realistic, fame-struck adults; a step up in the extent of Julian's songwriting, and a solid 7.… Expand
  6. ronanl
    Jan 15, 2006
    10
    I would agree that the strokes have sacrificed some of their catchiness in terms of tunes in order to progress musically on the album. Everyone says this like its an awful thing - since when have radiohead been amazingly catchy? But they still write amazing music, and that's what first impressions of earth is.
  7. Elliott
    Jan 14, 2006
    10
    The modern culture and press would never allow for a great rock band to permeate and dominate music for a long span of time. And this is precisely what The Strokes were saying (among many other things) in "Ize Of The World" and "Juicebox". Lyrically their most substantive and poweful album, it is nothing short of a generational wake-up call to this generation of rock fans, dressed up in The modern culture and press would never allow for a great rock band to permeate and dominate music for a long span of time. And this is precisely what The Strokes were saying (among many other things) in "Ize Of The World" and "Juicebox". Lyrically their most substantive and poweful album, it is nothing short of a generational wake-up call to this generation of rock fans, dressed up in the shortcomings, insecurities, and restrictive affluence of modern day society. That most rock critics are unwilling to sit down and truly listen to the sarcasm, irony, dialogue and philosophy of songs like "Ask Me Anything", "15 Minutes", or "Red Light" is proof that Strokes-haters had their opinions formed before the first chord on the album. But even ignoring everything about the lyrics, this was as much of a musical triumph as any rock record since I was born (1984), with the brilliant guitar interplay of "Razorblade", the uncanny masterpiece solo in "Vision Of Division" and the rhytmic tightness that is present in every single Strokes song ever written as highlights. Critics unwilling and truly understand this album are yet-again depriving fans of hearing the greatest band in the world.… Expand
  8. JohnK
    Jan 13, 2006
    9
    wiked album, well worth it. only 1 song i hate ,"ask me anything"....... :@
  9. Tony
    Jan 12, 2006
    8
    Very good, a definate leap forward from room on fire. The problem is, they run out of steam. It seems like after they wrote such awesome artsy intense crowd-pleasers as You Only Live Once, Juicebox, Razorblade, Heart in a Cage, Ize of the World, and Electricityscape they just wanted to fill up time. Julian needs to chill with the low, long mumbling and keep going with his kick-ass rock scream.
  10. RobD.
    Jan 12, 2006
    10
    This is a damn good album, it is promising and i think it is the best yet and the next will be even better probably. Critics always complain that they dont want a is this it 3 but when the album comes out and its not an is this it 3 they hate it. Critics dont know shit so dont listen to them its a good album.
  11. AndrewN
    Jan 12, 2006
    10
    Absolute class, this is my favourite Strokes album, so it has to be a 10.
  12. Johno
    Jan 12, 2006
    8
    I wanna be honest as I can about this, and despite a lukewarm reception in the press, I really think this album rocks. The press were just waiting to knock them down (imagine the difference if this was the album by a NEW band). Not only did the Strokes kick the doors open for hundreds of bands 5 years ago, but they manage to sound fresh today. Typically for the Strokes, they wear their I wanna be honest as I can about this, and despite a lukewarm reception in the press, I really think this album rocks. The press were just waiting to knock them down (imagine the difference if this was the album by a NEW band). Not only did the Strokes kick the doors open for hundreds of bands 5 years ago, but they manage to sound fresh today. Typically for the Strokes, they wear their influences on their sleeves, Television, early U2, Magnetic Fields, etc. They sound remarkably like their former outfit (for some of them) the Walkmen, on some the songs. Some great ideas here, some blinding solos that inspire me to plug in again, and some very, very exciting songs that will sound great live or on the dancefloor. A few throwaway tracks that I will delete from my ipod but the rest are outstanding. Well done chaps.… Expand
  13. codyb
    Jan 12, 2006
    9
    i think its a refreshing album that shows the pain in julians voice. it also shows how they experimented with new sounds. all in all, the more i listen to it, the more i fall in love with it. its not as catchy as "is this it" or "room on fire", but as a true strokes fan, i think it is an amazing album. good job fellahs.
  14. ALEXR
    Jan 12, 2006
    10
    Fuckin A!
  15. LorenaT
    Jan 11, 2006
    10
    i love it.... i love it.... i love it........
  16. mikeb
    Jan 11, 2006
    9
    Completely different from their previous two albums; but in a good way. Much more diverse and experimental.
  17. killaben
    Jan 11, 2006
    8
    Quite an improvement. I suppose it takes a couple of releases before a band is afforded the creative freedom to record something of this calibur. Casablancas's voice is at tImes Thom Yorke and at others, Bono. Besides Fischerspooner, this group is the closest thing the U.S. has to an A-tier band. The Strokes are on the right track, let's hope that on the next album, there are Quite an improvement. I suppose it takes a couple of releases before a band is afforded the creative freedom to record something of this calibur. Casablancas's voice is at tImes Thom Yorke and at others, Bono. Besides Fischerspooner, this group is the closest thing the U.S. has to an A-tier band. The Strokes are on the right track, let's hope that on the next album, there are even fewer guitars. Rock is soooo last century!… Expand
  18. rudym
    Jan 11, 2006
    10
    Genious masterpiece. Best band of the world keeps ruling the innovative and experimental art of song writing. Vision of division and Ask me anything are already immortal.
  19. DanielG
    Jan 11, 2006
    9
    Great album
  20. GeorgeR
    Jan 11, 2006
    10
    Worth Buying
  21. Chris
    Jan 10, 2006
    8
    This album should have had 11 tracks just like their previous two efforts. The high points of the album however are very good!
  22. RobbyT
    Jan 10, 2006
    9
    So the consensus among critics seems to be that the album is a bit inconsistent due largely to the 60 minute running time. Allow me to point one thing out though: The Strokes' previous two albums were barely 35 minutes long! Good things can come in small packages but come on... even if there are a few tracks that are below average, I'll take a sub-par Strokes song over most any So the consensus among critics seems to be that the album is a bit inconsistent due largely to the 60 minute running time. Allow me to point one thing out though: The Strokes' previous two albums were barely 35 minutes long! Good things can come in small packages but come on... even if there are a few tracks that are below average, I'll take a sub-par Strokes song over most any other band's hit single any day. First Impressions of Earth displays The Strokes moving forward... something the band has struggled to do since their phenomenal debut.… Expand
  23. calvinhobbes
    Jan 10, 2006
    8
    Good enough to buy it. Some songs are brilliant, others not so good (make a selection and then you can listen this album: good vibrations).
  24. Stroked
    Jan 9, 2006
    10
    awesome. highlights: definitely you only live once, juicyjuice, red light, 15 minutes and Hawaii on the b-side of juicyjuice is one hell of a good song
  25. ZachV
    Jan 9, 2006
    8
    Amazing through the first half, but should have been a 10 song album, can you bash an album for putting on toomany songs,i mean, if you dont like them,just skip them, the good songs are still there
  26. DieterF
    Jan 9, 2006
    8
    Very nice album indeed ! There are some huges songs on this album, but unfortunately there are also some less qualitative songs. Nevertheless this album will be one of the better of 2006. If they had omitted 3 songs or so this album might have been a huger hit, and it was possible because there are a lot of songs on this album, ant that's not strokeslike. And the ones that give a 10 Very nice album indeed ! There are some huges songs on this album, but unfortunately there are also some less qualitative songs. Nevertheless this album will be one of the better of 2006. If they had omitted 3 songs or so this album might have been a huger hit, and it was possible because there are a lot of songs on this album, ant that's not strokeslike. And the ones that give a 10 to this album are a little bit too close minded imo, so I give it an 8/10.… Expand
  27. ChrisH
    Jan 9, 2006
    8
    Personally i loved their old work, and yeah not all the songs are great but come on, half the people who gave this album a bad rating cant do anything any where near this good and so bad mouth it to appear to be minorly intelligent when compared to a dead monkey. Juicebox is a great song
  28. JamesM
    Jan 8, 2006
    7
    I have two friends who are music critics and they usually have 5 CDs to review in a couple of days on top of all their other work. So I would imagine most critics have listened to this album barely once over. Therefore they have not had a chance to let this album 'grow' on them. When I first listened to this album i instanly liked YOLO, J, HIAC & Ize but after about 8 listens I I have two friends who are music critics and they usually have 5 CDs to review in a couple of days on top of all their other work. So I would imagine most critics have listened to this album barely once over. Therefore they have not had a chance to let this album 'grow' on them. When I first listened to this album i instanly liked YOLO, J, HIAC & Ize but after about 8 listens I would say I like all bar 2. Here is a question if this was a totally different band and you knew nothing about them would you rate this album higher or lower than you think now.… Expand
  29. EllS
    Jan 8, 2006
    7
    About half of the songs are good quality stokes numbers. THen there are 3 that are alright and experimental, and the other four are not good. The Strokes really should have not included these songs on the album, and it would have been a lot better. Maybe on your Ipod you could make a playlist of your ideal "First impressions" tracks and you might enjoy them more. Its not "Is this it?" but About half of the songs are good quality stokes numbers. THen there are 3 that are alright and experimental, and the other four are not good. The Strokes really should have not included these songs on the album, and it would have been a lot better. Maybe on your Ipod you could make a playlist of your ideal "First impressions" tracks and you might enjoy them more. Its not "Is this it?" but on first dozen listens im tempted to say that its better than room on fire, a little more experimental. A solid third album from the strokes.… Expand
  30. PaulB
    Jan 8, 2006
    10
    looking for a stonking album?? this will blow your balls off!!
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Awards & Rankings

6
#6 Most Discussed Album of 2006
43
#43 Most Shared Album of 2006

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 38 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 38
  3. Negative: 0 out of 38
  1. Blender
    70
    Earth is the sound of a band coming to that inevitable realization: five patrician perfectionists who've resolved to sound sloppy, even (or especially) at the risk of fucking up. [Jan/Feb 2006, p.98]
  2. Playlouder
    90
    Turns out what the world was waiting for really was those that saved guitars finally making a record that truly reaped the rewards of their efforts. Is this it? OH GOD YES!
    Read full review
  3. Slant Magazine
    50
    First Impressions introduces some subtle new colors to the band's musical palette... but the pervasive sense of inert boredom, which has been noted as a strength in the past, is difficult to shake.
    Read full review
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