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. drongodan
    Apr 1, 2020
    10
    Every song is great. New York City Cops and Last Nite are my personal favourites
  2. davidpaulmesa
    Apr 6, 2020
    10
    The 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.
  3. Tigor_
    Oct 23, 2020
    10
    This is the best album of the 00s. The album is fun and catchy as hell, eleven perfect tracks. The strokes best record for sure.
  4. Limet
    Nov 25, 2020
    10
    Incredible 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".
  5. Vformusika
    Sep 4, 2021
    10
    What can I say about this masterpiece? One of the best albums of the 21st century, a CLASSIC !
  6. LenReviews
    Sep 23, 2021
    10
    Is 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.
  7. ohsbruh
    Dec 13, 2021
    10
    This album is amazing. One of the best debut albums in general. This really was one of the leaders of the early 2000s revival of rock. The overall sound of it is just so mesmerizing and Julian’s vocals are almost used as an instrument blending in with the music. The small overdrive on his voice makes his screaming and intense vocals sound less intrusive and sound amazing. one of their bestThis album is amazing. One of the best debut albums in general. This really was one of the leaders of the early 2000s revival of rock. The overall sound of it is just so mesmerizing and Julian’s vocals are almost used as an instrument blending in with the music. The small overdrive on his voice makes his screaming and intense vocals sound less intrusive and sound amazing. one of their best albums.… Expand
  8. xqcTF
    Aug 12, 2022
    10
    The 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.
  9. Franco853
    Aug 11, 2022
    10
    Obra maestra del rock indie el mejor album de los strokes Someday mejor cancion
  10. DBowieStan
    Jul 22, 2023
    10
    Is 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.
  11. thegeoffhanson
    Aug 18, 2023
    10
    This 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.
  12. RichardB
    Apr 4, 2010
    9
    I admit that so far The Strokes have yet to outdo their debut effort, so its understandable to think that they might be a flash in the pan. Still, coming up with an entire album of a masterpiece takes skill. Let's break it down track by track Great tracks: The Modern Age, Soma, Barely Legal, Last Nite, Hard to Explain, Alone Together Good Tracks: When It Started, Is This It, Take It I admit that so far The Strokes have yet to outdo their debut effort, so its understandable to think that they might be a flash in the pan. Still, coming up with an entire album of a masterpiece takes skill. Let's break it down track by track Great tracks: The Modern Age, Soma, Barely Legal, Last Nite, Hard to Explain, Alone Together Good Tracks: When It Started, Is This It, Take It or Leave It, Someday Meh Tracks: Trying Your Luck.… Expand
  13. JeremyG
    Jan 4, 2004
    9
    A band confident enough to bask in the hype lavished upon them, and ballsy enough to actually live up to ridiculous expectations. Taut, fast, catchy rock songs fill this album. Easily enjoyable, even after multiple listens.
  14. GiacomoP
    Feb 15, 2007
    9
    Very good album
  15. marcyb
    Jul 2, 2007
    9
    good stuff
  16. matthews.
    Oct 22, 2008
    9
    Almost every song is perfect. Very stripped down, and yet large in sound
  17. mistereels
    Oct 14, 2001
    9
    Rock music like old people said it used to be, a classic debut album with more hooks than an amputee convention.
  18. RyanT.
    Sep 28, 2002
    9
    When I first heard the album I was not very impressed. But once you listen for a while you'll realize this is a great simple rock record and one of the best albums of the year.
  19. Beth
    Oct 6, 2003
    9
    The Strokes are awesome! Don't let yourself be lost in the Velvet Underground-comparisons, or the long lists of "pre-1977 punk" influences...These five guys pull off a simple yet memorable style with catchy hooks, cute lyrics, and a badass New York attitude. "Is This It?" headlined the modern-rock revival, leaving the Strokes to be touted as "Saviors of Rock 'n Roll." The The Strokes are awesome! Don't let yourself be lost in the Velvet Underground-comparisons, or the long lists of "pre-1977 punk" influences...These five guys pull off a simple yet memorable style with catchy hooks, cute lyrics, and a badass New York attitude. "Is This It?" headlined the modern-rock revival, leaving the Strokes to be touted as "Saviors of Rock 'n Roll." The Strokes may not be revolutionary, and the extreme over-hype may be a turnoff, but, quite simply, this is rock music done right. … Expand
  20. davem
    Jun 6, 2003
    9
    This album gets better with each listening, unlike the ridiculously overhyped White Stripes album. The first few times you hear it may not be overly impressive but it will grow on you.
  21. Fredthefriend
    Aug 13, 2005
    9
    absolutely genius music. my god- how can you NOT see this as rock? more importantly so, how can you not at least give it credit for not being a band that sounds as homogenized as just about every other rock album out there?
  22. MC
    Dec 12, 2006
    9
    If you don't like it, I suggest you listen to it more than just once. You also shouldn't judge any album on hype. This album is the definiton of pop-edged rock. They do what they do very well.
  23. Oligami
    May 20, 2007
    9
    Bah! It's great shiny pop and you know it. And it does stick in your head. The US cover art and replacement track are better than the UK versions, so buy the former.
  24. AdCoo
    Dec 14, 2001
    9
    Album of the year? Probably. But I'd still rather listen to the Velvets
  25. edd
    Sep 25, 2005
    9
    I'll always have a soft spot for The Strokes and this album. Who can remember how all popular rock music sounded back in 2001? I'll remind you, it was shit!!! .Limp bizquit,Korn,Staind, P.O.D. nu metal was all the rage. And then you had The Strokes they were fresh and original and just what was needed at the time.Well you you dont hear limp bizqit on the radio anymore do you? I'll always have a soft spot for The Strokes and this album. Who can remember how all popular rock music sounded back in 2001? I'll remind you, it was shit!!! .Limp bizquit,Korn,Staind, P.O.D. nu metal was all the rage. And then you had The Strokes they were fresh and original and just what was needed at the time.Well you you dont hear limp bizqit on the radio anymore do you? Great album.… Expand
  26. Danilio
    Aug 22, 2006
    9
    Yeah it's straight-forward and simple. Yeah it's the most overhyped album for a long time. Yeah they sound slightly similar to The Velvet Underground and Television. But it's still a great album
  27. danielw.
    May 17, 2008
    9
    Great and easy listening, but can get a little boring. Still a very good album
  28. mhmusicnmovies
    Sep 7, 2010
    9
    The 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.
  29. Vampire25
    Feb 23, 2013
    9
    The 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-
  30. Ricko
    Sep 26, 2017
    9
    Classic debut album from a band that had the world in the palm of their hand for a brief moment. One of the first great albums of the 21st century and not a weak track in sight. Perhaps not enough classic tracks to warrant a 10 but a very definite 9, pushing towards a 10. The ultimate test of album is that of time and it still sounds great, even a little bit better, when you listen to itClassic debut album from a band that had the world in the palm of their hand for a brief moment. One of the first great albums of the 21st century and not a weak track in sight. Perhaps not enough classic tracks to warrant a 10 but a very definite 9, pushing towards a 10. The ultimate test of album is that of time and it still sounds great, even a little bit better, when you listen to it now. Raw, wild and vibrant. The only negative attached to "Is This It" for me is that it's a pity that The Strokes never truly followed up on their inital promise. "Hard to Explain" is still one of my favourite songs but the swagger on this album is incredible. Some of the best guitar intro's you'll come across.… Expand
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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...
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  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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