Is This It?
by The Strokes
User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 732 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 668 out of 732
  2. Mixed: 22 out of 732
  3. Negative: 42 out of 732

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  1. zacht.
    Dec 24, 2008
    5
    A pretty bland album, nothing special or unique at all. It's not horrible album by any means but the scores it recieved do not represent what it really is. Beware if you are going to buy.
  2. Matt
    Sep 27, 2004
    5
    Ignore the hype - rip away the layers of this, what you get is background music. If you want something unassuming and unambitious that won't grab your attention too much, this is it. But if you're looking for something to grab you, the question "Is This It?", the answer is almost certainly no, though you may well ask yourself the same question.
  3. AndrewG
    Jun 29, 2006
    5
    Desperately over-rated. Mostly forgettable and suprisingly dull. This album really isnt worth all the fuss that surrounds it. However there are several quality tracks on it such as the now classic Last Night and the brilliant Someday. At its best it shines. At its worse it drowns in repetative overproduction
  4. DanielA
    Apr 17, 2009
    4
    The fact that it's been 8 years since this album was released and so far The Strokes haven't lived up to the hype the music press created around them, proves that all of those calling this album "overrated" were right.
  5. AndrewR
    Nov 21, 2003
    5
    Catchy enough, I suppose, but Is This It? begs the question that its title poses-- that is, 11 tracks after the fact, there's little that sticks in the brain, except for maybe the Strokes's uncanny ability to make Television boring. For me, only "Trying Your Luck" really left an impression.
  6. uxya
    Jul 10, 2013
    6
    Thoroughly and grossly overrated. While I love the Strokes to death, and I do enjoy this album at times, I can't help but feel that the lavish attention slathered onto this album is a result of my current generation easily relating to the apathy of this album.

    Julian Casablancas is actually a very technically apt and emotionally expressive singer when he deigns to be. Sadly, for their    Thoroughly and grossly overrated. While I love the Strokes to death, and I do enjoy this album at times, I can't help but feel that the lavish attention slathered onto this album is a result of my current generation easily relating to the apathy of this album.

    Julian Casablancas is actually a very technically apt and emotionally expressive singer when he deigns to be. Sadly, for their first two albums, you almost never see that side. Playing it cool has never been so boring than in this album, honestly.

    I side with the controversial camp that alleges the Strokes get better over time, not worse (at least until the that was "Angles"). And if you look at First Impressions of Earth, where I think they are their best, you get a feel for what Julian can really do, rather than what he did when he browsed "vintage" thriftshops and used blown-out-amps like the rest of his former hipster ilk.

    Julian, and the gang too, become a lot cooler when they're not trying to act cool. This album is not one of those times.    … Expand
  7. SalC.
    Oct 15, 2001
    6
    The simple fact is that the best songs on the record are the (5) that had already been released on their (2) Rough Trade singles. As I had both them both months ago, the rest was dissapointing. If you have neither single, but my rating to an (8).
  8. AaronL.
    Oct 7, 2002
    6
    I can't figure it out. I've read the glowing reviews and listened to the disc many times, and I just can't understand the fuss. Although they have their good moments, I'm supposed to believe that these guys are the new gods of rock 'n roll? I don't think so. In either case, there is a lot riding on their next release - glad it's not me that has to do it!
  9. EinarJ,
    Apr 30, 2008
    4
    God, how overhyped, overrated and overplayed can you get ? Last Nite and Someday are the only songs worth mentioning, working as anthems of our time.
  10. AlexF.
    Oct 14, 2001
    5
    Most hyped band this year. Their music is ok but quite insubstantial. VU did this much better more than 30 years ago.
  11. AlexF.
    Oct 14, 2001
    5
    Most hyped band this year. Their music is ok but quite insubstantial. VU did this much better more than 30 years ago.
  12. TomH
    Aug 6, 2003
    5
    Mediocre at best. So simple it's sickening, but no horrible in it's own right
  13. CharleneL.
    Nov 27, 2001
    6
    Frankly, I don't understand all the hype surrounding The Strokes. It's not like they're the first band to play music like this. There are many, many bands out there who make better music, but will never reach The Strokes' height of recognition worldwide and in the media, simply because they aren't signed to major record companies. That's all. The Strokes may Frankly, I don't understand all the hype surrounding The Strokes. It's not like they're the first band to play music like this. There are many, many bands out there who make better music, but will never reach The Strokes' height of recognition worldwide and in the media, simply because they aren't signed to major record companies. That's all. The Strokes may be fresh to those who have never been exposed to indie bands and such, to those who mostly listen to top 40 radio stations. They're just a bunch of pretty boys with haircuts and clothes that are apparently 'in', but in a trendy way. Their music is, still, radio-friendly. So this is nothing new. … Expand
  14. EricS.
    Dec 13, 2001
    4
    Is this it? Really? This what bandwagons full of people are raving about? No, it's not awful...but it's far from great.
  15. unico
    Aug 13, 2008
    6
    I still don't get how the world thinks the strokes re-invented rock'n'roll. this is a decent album, indeed! it may have brought indie/rock music to a broader audience aging, but that doesn't make it better music. clever album above average, but nothing more. 6.

Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Best Album of 2001
2
#2 Most Discussed Album of 2001
10
#10 Most Shared Album of 2001

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
91

Universal acclaim - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. New Musical Express (NME)
    Apr 24, 2013
    100
    Simply put, Strokes have every quality rock'n'roll requires from its finest exponents and Is This It is where they come together.
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  2. AllMusic
    90
    Able to make the timeworn themes of sex, drugs, and rock & roll and the basic guitars-drum-bass lineup seem new and vital again, the Strokes may or may not be completely arty and calculated, but that doesn't prevent Is This It? from being an exciting, compulsively listenable debut...
    Read full review
  3. HOB.com
    70
    Their album is little more than thirty minutes and eleven versions of the same song. But damn if that one song isn't a good one.
    Read full review
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