Review: The Strokes – Is This It

It’s funny when you realize you’ve found an artist that you just know is going the change the landscape or rock, indie rock, and maybe music in general from the first time you hear that distinct sound. The Strokes released their debut record, Is This It, fairly under the radar, with the exception of RCA Records knowing they may have the next really big indie band on their label for the foreseeable future. The Strokes released an EP called The Modern Age in early 2001, which sparked an intense bidding war of major labels falling over themselves to earn the trust of the New York City-based rock band. Is This It was recorded then under the tutelage of producer Gordon Raphael (Regina Spektor) and was ultimately released 20 years ago today in Australia, first. The record would then gradually be released in several countries as their tours were being conducted across the world, and the physical version of the CD would hit the states in October (due to a delay after 9/11 and the label decision to exclude “New York City Cops” on the original sequencing. The vinyl version released on 9/11 still continues to have the track in the original tracklisting).

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Review: The Strokes – The New Abnormal

The Strokes

When I first listened to the new album from The Strokes, I wasn’t quite sure what to think of it. It had everything that I have come to expect from a Strokes release, but I felt like it was missing some ingredient to it that made it feel complete. These feelings quickly evaporated the more I listened to The New Abnormal as it has become my favorite Strokes album since their incredible debut. This odd transition of uncertainty to favorability speaks a lot to the bands’ character and approach to songwriting. The New Abnormal is The Strokes’ first new album in seven years, their sixth studio album in total, and was expertly crafted under the tutelage of legendary producer Rick Rubin. There is plenty to unpack on this latest release that features plenty more ups than downs.

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