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. MoralSupport
    May 23, 2018
    6
    The Strokes are still one of my favorite bands, even after discovering them 5 long years ago. This album has always been frustrating for me, however. You Only Live Once, Razorblade, Ask Me Anything, and Juicebox are all phenomenal songs, some of the best crafted by Casablancas & co. to date. yet, these are "complimented" by Heart in a Cage, Vision of Division, Killing Lies, etc. It's anThe Strokes are still one of my favorite bands, even after discovering them 5 long years ago. This album has always been frustrating for me, however. You Only Live Once, Razorblade, Ask Me Anything, and Juicebox are all phenomenal songs, some of the best crafted by Casablancas & co. to date. yet, these are "complimented" by Heart in a Cage, Vision of Division, Killing Lies, etc. It's an album of highest highs and lowest lows, giving off this **** you and your mental state" vibe. It's the result of failed experimentation, that which the strokes wouldn't achieve fully until Comedown Machine.… Expand
  2. darklatinbruh
    Jun 9, 2019
    6
    Good, if not perfect sequel to room on fire.
    Highlights: 1-4, 6, 8, 12, 14.
  3. TylerW
    Jan 2, 2006
    5
    It sucks.
  4. danb.
    Jan 5, 2006
    5
    who told whathisname he could be a crooner? he, like, really tries to *sing* here. for me, it doesn't work. it just ends up making him sound even less articulate and sleepy than usual. liked the last two albums... this one might grow on me but i've listened about ten times already, so, doubt it.
  5. FernandoL
    Jan 4, 2006
    5
    Not the best album of the band, that's a fact. Really The Strokes is a good band but this is not a good first impression, better the other two before this.
  6. GH
    Jan 10, 2006
    4
    I was hoping it would be great and was upbeat with the first tune on the cd, but then it tanks badly....it is the first and last Strokes album I will purchase
  7. AdamP.
    Apr 3, 2008
    4
    A poor album and a shame after enjoying this is it and room on fire. A shambles.
  8. Chris182
    Apr 25, 2021
    4
    My personal least favourite album from the band. This album has a run time of 55 minutes when it could only be 20 minutes. There are some good songs on this album as YOLO is a classic Strokes song and the chorus on Vision of Division is one of my favorite moments in thier discography. Their is also alot of bland songs here. While i dont hate the album, i can not recommend listening to itMy personal least favourite album from the band. This album has a run time of 55 minutes when it could only be 20 minutes. There are some good songs on this album as YOLO is a classic Strokes song and the chorus on Vision of Division is one of my favorite moments in thier discography. Their is also alot of bland songs here. While i dont hate the album, i can not recommend listening to it in full unless you are a fan of the band.
    Best Songs: You Only Live Once, Vision of Division, Juicebox, Heart in a Cage
    Worst Songs: Razorblade, Fear of Sleep, 15 Minutes, On the Otherside, Evening Sun, Ask Me Anything, Killing Lies    … Expand
  9. mcnutsmcnuts
    Jan 7, 2006
    3
    Boring, uninspired and no surprises.. Essentially the album offers nothing new.... ok perhaps a bit more distortion... ..... please move on.
  10. JohnnyR
    Jan 11, 2006
    3
    A terrible let down of a record. This album showed the Strokes abandoning what made them great and turn into just another rock band. A blatant disregard to melody, most of the songs are utterly forgettable. TIme will tell but history is bound to cast this as the album when the Strokes turned to shite.
  11. MackB
    Jan 4, 2006
    3
    It's quite disappointing, but I honestly didn't expect this album to shockingly break the mold the Strokes created for themselves. Pitchfork's review seems to get it right - these guys were in the right place at the right time when they offered their debut - 4.25 years later, these guys still can't muster anything new or fresh. It's not like they haven't had It's quite disappointing, but I honestly didn't expect this album to shockingly break the mold the Strokes created for themselves. Pitchfork's review seems to get it right - these guys were in the right place at the right time when they offered their debut - 4.25 years later, these guys still can't muster anything new or fresh. It's not like they haven't had time to develop new sounds (that are worth recording, unlike the "new directions" they take on First Impressions...). Their debut was 1 song on repeat 11 times - and it was catchy, but how difficult could it be to break out of that stylistic mode? Apparently quite difficult for this group of mostly non-talented posers. Julian's dissafected, removed vocals are no longer cute or suprisingly dull - they're just terrible. Why so many critics (and listeners) continue to give these guys the benefit of the doubt, is beyond me. The fact that their attempts to "branch out" fall so flat (on their third album, no less) should be a strong indicator that they lack that necessary ingredient - talent. And the Guardian said it right - now they just sound like a band jumping on the bandwagon the Strokes created 4 years ago. It's sad. The posts below are revealing, too. Michael J said that it "also has some trash" - and yet still gave it a 9! Come on, three albums of mostly the same material - with only half-hearted, failed attempts to alter the sound a bit? Definitely not 9 material. 3 is being too nice at this point, too.… Expand
  12. Ty
    Jan 7, 2006
    3
    1 great song and many poor washed out pointless ones. Not a patch one real bands like Death Cab Cutie / Eels etc. No septh to this cd.
  13. johnw
    Jan 8, 2006
    2
    sucks arse
  14. Goodwin
    Jan 12, 2006
    2
    Worst album of the year. It is very sad to see that the strokes who came out with the brilliant Is This It, the Decent Room on Fire, have come out with contrived pseudo-artistic trash like this. The experimentation is completely useless. They have taken elements which would have sounded good by themselves or coupled together, and have smashed them all together into an unintelligible mess. Worst album of the year. It is very sad to see that the strokes who came out with the brilliant Is This It, the Decent Room on Fire, have come out with contrived pseudo-artistic trash like this. The experimentation is completely useless. They have taken elements which would have sounded good by themselves or coupled together, and have smashed them all together into an unintelligible mess. They may have strayed away from Is this It, but have waded into waters of every other band on the radio. Is This It was simple, confident, beautiful. Now I don't believe a word or riff that comes out of them. Julian sings "I've got Nothing to saaay", and I think, sadly, that those words ring true.… Expand
  15. JohnG
    Jan 12, 2006
    2
    This album freaking blows. They aren't even trying anymore.
  16. FilmoreH
    Jan 4, 2006
    2
    I think this may be the end for The Strokes.
  17. M.Lewis
    Jan 23, 2006
    2
    The single sounds like the theme song from The Munsters. How can anyone enjoy this?
  18. SamW
    Jan 4, 2006
    2
    This is a sub-par release from The Strokes and I don't like it.
  19. AaronS
    Jan 3, 2006
    1
    Terribly boring album. I mean when you rip off Barry Manilow for a melody....c'mon now!
  20. pylert
    Jan 2, 2006
    1
    this is pretty bad
  21. jamesh
    Jan 7, 2006
    0
    one listen and i realized it was complete crap. embarassing. reminded me of other bombs like pearl jam had and they just slink off into the forgotten recesses of our mind. total junk.
  22. RobK
    Jan 25, 2006
    0
    oh god no
  23. HansF
    Jan 29, 2006
    0
    This c.d. is awful! Please, I beg each of you who gave this c.d. a positive review to find a Strokes fan site. I will then ask you to read the lyrics for each song. Then once your emberassment subsides, then write an updated review. I will now give my review with the same thoughfulness contained in the lyrics of this album, " This is one steaming pile of boring crap."
  24. NelsonD
    Dec 5, 2006
    0
    SOOOOOO bad !! The Strokes are overrated!
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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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