User Score
Universal acclaim- based on 732 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 668 out of 732
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Mixed: 22 out of 732
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Negative: 42 out of 732
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unicoAug 13, 2008I 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.
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DanielAApr 17, 2009The 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.
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BenG.Dec 12, 2001the lyrics are great. and the whole idea of this group is excellent. whoever doesn't like this cd, especially the london import with "new york cops", sucks.
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JamesB.Dec 26, 2001It's become quite trendy to slag off the strokes. Regardless of the infantile indie/major debate, the fact is the tunes are there and yes as an indie rock fan it is okay to enjoy them.
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AndrewRNov 21, 2003Catchy 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.
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Feb 7, 2012Love this album, so catchy, one of the best rock albums ever but that's what it is, a rock album, an album about youth and they have captured that essence incredibly.
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Mar 26, 2011The only bad thing that could possibly be said about this album is that it's fairly formulaic, with the same verse-bridge-chorus-verse-bridge-chorus-bridge-chorus etc for most of the songs.
But that doesn't stop them being great songs on a great album. There's no filler here.
The definitive indie rock album -
Sep 7, 2010The Strokes may not have been able to really follow up this wonderful debut, but thats not a terrible thing. Ensuing efforts have been nice but inferior; Is This It is where the boys could do no wrong.
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May 5, 2011One of my all time favorite albums and one of the reasons for my giant appreciation and fascination for music. Its sheer simplicity and charismatic take on rock just astonishes me. Compelling and fun lyrics, fantastic composition, great production and it truly feels like it's an album that time traveled from the 1970's.
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Sep 16, 2010my most favorite album of all time. solid from start to finish, one of the best albums to come out of the aughts. absolutely perfect, even in it's imperfections.
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Sep 18, 2010An album for the ages. A thoroughly enjoyable album to listen through, mellow vibes issue from the speakers and deep lyricism interplays with masterful guitar solos and solid melody as you drift into the zone.
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Apr 23, 2011Is This It, along with Origin of Symmetry (Muse), and American Idiot (Green Day) are for me, the 3 biggest rock albums of the 00's, although they come from different ends of the rock spectrum they all share a resemblance in how they changed the genre, is this it is not a perfect album, it just has no flaws.
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Oct 23, 2010Nothing bad can be said about this album. The Strokes helped revive garage rock and brought back utter coolness to the genre. Catchy song one after another, with Julian Casablancas' pure rock voice combined with Albert Hammond Jr.'s excellent guitar playing.
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Jan 30, 2012Awesome album and a must any for any music fan.
Favorite tracks: Hard to Explain, someday, trying your luck, the modern age, last nite.
Also, its a shame new york city cops had to be removed from the US release, although WHEN IT STARTED is a decent track, NYC is much more entertaining. -
Feb 23, 2013The Strokes first album Is This It is like something out of the rock heavens. Just clocking in at a little over half an hour, the songs are catchy and show us what a great and talented band this is. Julian Casablanca is such a hip, cool guy. And his voice is simply amazing. All In All, Is This It is a wonderful album that needs to be heard several times. A-
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Feb 23, 2011
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Mar 3, 2011"is this it?" is fantastic. truly a landmark album of our generation. its so nonchalant but somehow through the apathy true brilliance is found. yes each song has a similar sound, but they are not the same. additionally, why would you change up the sound when it is good to begin with
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Mar 30, 2011This is one of the MUST HAVE albums of the 00s. Too bad their latest albums isn't kicking like this. I hate the fact I have to type 150 characters right now.
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Feb 13, 2012
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Apr 6, 2011Fantastic. Each song makes me happy. One of the best albums of the past decade (perhaps the best) and one of the 500 best albums in the history of music.
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Jul 13, 2011Yes, The Strokes are impressive and superb. Great quality rock is here, the voice is outstanding . Marked the history and changed and improved the classic genre .
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May 26, 2011
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Jun 12, 2011Without a doubt, probably the best album of the decade. In one word : flawless. Simple and complex at the same time, only the Strokes can do this. Unforgettable lyrics and melodies.
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Jun 29, 2011This album is the greatest Rock album ever produced. Every song has an a amazing guitar riff, powerful bass lines, and the singer Julian Casablancas has the best voice I have heard in a long time.
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Aug 9, 2011Forgetting all the hype, Jules, Nikolai, Fab, Albert and Nick did start a new age in rock. Every Indy band of the past decade can owe their success to this album. 11 simple short songs. All pure garage rock. This album is incredible
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Nov 15, 2011The beggining of this century brought this pearl that revived indie-rock again. We see the genious Julian Casablancas working with power songs, lyrics, and even better stylish for the rock of this time. The indie bands should get more along with this kind of rock, one of the bests. Marvelous.
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Nov 6, 2011A fantastic album. This is a good enjoyable rock album, the best of The Strokes. It's not completely groundbreaking, but listening to this album is well worth it, from the opening track "Is This It", to the ending track "Take It Or Leave It", you will not be disappointed, unless you think The Strokes are some sort of legends.
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Sep 26, 2017
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Nov 15, 2011AMAZING! That's really all I can call this album. Every song is worth multiple listens. The highlights of this album are definitely the title song, "The Modern Age", "Barely Legal", "Alone, Together", "Last Nite" "New York City Cops", "When It Started", and "Take it or Leave it." Dedicate an hour or two to this album, and it will be pure bliss.
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Apr 15, 2020This album played a large part in the revival of indie rock and there is no way someone can understate its importance. Is This It? has withstood the test of time and remains one of the best albums the genre has to offer.
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Jun 19, 2012
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Jul 21, 2012The Strokes' debut album is amazing! Jules Casablanca (lead vocals) provides a natural Lo-Fi sound, which is addictive to listen to. I can't think of a single track from the album I don't thoroughly enjoy. Recommend! Favorite tracks: Hard to Explain, Take It or Leave It, Barely Legal (yet every song has its singularity and fantastic element about it)
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Oct 30, 2012The album is indeed a great raw alternative rock experience. There are no weak tracks well, maybe, Trying Your Luck, for it is my least favorite but it is still a solid good album. I really like the rhythm of the guitar and the charisma the band gives. The lyrics are simply about observations in their lives but still are great because it is written well into the songs.
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Dec 23, 2012
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Feb 28, 2013Obviously the classic Strokes album, the quality of sounds are very similar to The Velvet Underground, and has this nocturnal feeling of partying and a new band going out, thats the revival spirit of the band, and that is why everybody gone insane with this band in the early 2000's, the music was in this void and it was really something new to put on the radio, back in the days
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Apr 7, 2013
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Oct 7, 2013"Is This It?" is any bands dream debut album. This album is flawless, bringing in a new style of indie/alt rock that's still easily recognizable. This album truly reestablished the rock genre, and every song is as catchy and tasty as the next. The Strokes debut album is a landmark.
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Jul 10, 2013
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Mar 16, 2014
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Oct 30, 2018With their charming awkwardness and direct-and-straight sound, it's understandable why Strokes were called "saviors of rock". Not for technical in their instruments, but for their Rock n' roll spirit putting a smile in our faces with a simple but cool music, as a few bands in its time (we're talking about 2001) and nowadays does it.
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Dec 8, 2013Just spectacular. One of the best albums of the 21st century, if not ever. Every song is brilliant in its own way and all are similar, so it is a great album but not too similar so all the songs sound the same. The only let down is that The Strokes could not keep up this genius into their other albums. Easiest 10/10 I'll ever give.
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May 22, 2014
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Jul 22, 2014This album it's maybe the most influential album of the 2000's. It's unforgettable, great and classic. Every song it's a classic on it's own. The best debut album since Oasis' "Definitely Maybe".
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Aug 5, 2014
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Jul 17, 2015
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Sep 29, 2014You can't go for The Strokes expecting alternative rock, indie rock, metal or metacore, you just need to expect something, you're going to listen rock, nothing less, nothing more, Is This It? introduced us this superb band, but there was some details missing, maybe a more inuitive refrain, or some more complex lycris (not the cliché romantic lycris).
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Nov 17, 2014
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Sep 11, 2015
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May 15, 2015Simply the greatest album of all time. Not one song is a mere filler, not one song is forgettable. Every little tune in this thing is a jem, even the lesser known ones like Soma or When it Started.
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Aug 7, 2015Kind of defines Garage rock. So catchy and such a great look at life in the city. The lyrics are clever and ring true on all subjects. Julian Casablancas may not have the best voice, but it was made for this album.
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Jun 15, 2016As an avid fan of bands like the Arctic Monkeys, Kings of Leon, Modest Mouse etc. this is my favourite album of all time. Every song is captivating and should be considered an all time classic.
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Sep 12, 2017
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Jan 28, 2018The best album of the 2000's no questions asked. The simplistic rock and roll vibe of the whole album really brings nostalgia onto all who listen, even those who weren't old enough to remember when the album was released. Is This It is the best rock album released in the 21st century, and I doubt any band will ever top this phenomenal album.
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Jan 3, 2018
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Mar 6, 2018
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Sep 23, 2018Although the early noughties were dominated by nu-metal and post-grunge, this garage rock LP ironically (okay, maybe not so) ended up being the most storied music of that era. From the rather sunnier feeling of Someday to the somewhat brash stylings of New York City Cops, this classic LP is a must in your collection!
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Feb 19, 2021
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Jun 9, 2019Fantastic debut record by the new york band The strokes. Truly fantastic.
Minor Flawed.
Final Rating: 8.8 -
Apr 1, 2020Every song is great. New York City Cops and Last Nite are my personal favourites
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Feb 3, 2020“Is this it?” Brings unique rifs with light hearted tones contrasted by dark lyrics about love and heartbreak.
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Apr 6, 2020The Strokes are a band that I didn't get into until 2010, going back to Is This It was like finding out I've been missing something great my whole life.
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Oct 23, 2020This is the best album of the 00s. The album is fun and catchy as hell, eleven perfect tracks. The strokes best record for sure.
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Oct 25, 2020It feels like every song is building up to an incredible chorus that they didn’t have the talent to write. Let’s be honest, if you ignore the hype the album is a little bit ****
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Nov 25, 2020Incredible retrosound, all the songs are complete, and all are equally good. This album is what I use as an example for the phrase "less is more".
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Jun 20, 2021This is possibly the worst album I have ever heard. I’d rather listen to some crusty Kraft Mac n cheese heat up in a microwave than this album, because they sound about the same, but the Mac n cheese has more variety than this piece of crap project
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Sep 4, 2021What can I say about this masterpiece? One of the best albums of the 21st century, a CLASSIC !
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Sep 23, 2021Is this it is a masterpiece, simply put this album is great. Every song on this album is perfect. My favorite has to be the song "is this it". This is a must-listen.
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Dec 13, 2021
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Aug 12, 2022The carelessness and full-sounding production had lead to "Is This It" being a joy to listen to. There is a stretch of three songs, "The Modern Age", "Soma", and "Barely Legal", which sound like pretty much one song, yet offer their own great ideas. This album embodies the organised messiness of The Strokes.
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Mar 28, 2022Classic album, great sound. One of my favorite rock albums. There are a few misses, but it's still great.
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Jun 14, 2022Great debut. This is an album that has a lot of repeat value. One of the best of the decade. Highlights: "Hard to Explain", "Last Nite", "Soma". Couldn't have asked for a better debut.
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Aug 11, 2022Obra maestra del rock indie el mejor album de los strokes Someday mejor cancion
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Feb 25, 2023A very solid album, it will definitely grow on me as I keep listening to the tracks!
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Jul 22, 2023Is this it made a generation, every song understands how a teenage can feel, with solid rock and a great sound, influence a lot of artists in this new era, one, of the best alternative albums of all time, simply music.
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Aug 18, 2023This album adopted a new genre of garage rock music. It's perfect..This album was the reason why we have bands like the Arctic Monkeys today.
Awards & Rankings
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Apr 24, 2013Simply 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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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...
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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.