Everyone has something that gets them through the shit life throws at them. There is always one song that you associate with getting you through your own hell.
I don’t have one song in particular, I have one album that no matter what- it will make me find some motivation to just carry on and not let the shit takeover.
For me, the album is the debut album by The Strokes, Is This It. This album has been almost like a crutch for me, and I know others feel the same way. Every single song on it just makes you feel alive and less alone.
Without getting too personal in this, since the start of this year, I’ve had to adjust and deal with something I never though I would. However, I played Is This It pretty much daily just to keep myself sane.
There is no denying that Someday is one of the greatest songs ever created. I don’t know what the meaning of the song is, but I never really look for the actual meaning in songs. I prefer to make my own. What’s my take on Someday? Oh you do not need to know dear reader. Maybe it’s the same as yours, maybe it’s not.
Someday gives me hope that one day, everything will be alright. It may not be soon, but one day, it’ll all be okay.
I’m writing this listening to the album and it’s distracting me from writing something of worth.
Is This It is nearly a decade old. It still has that raw sound to it. It’s an album a lot of bands wish they could create. It’s an album that will always be relevant. The Strokes will always be relevant. Who knows if we will ever get another new album or if all the solo projects are a way of letting the fans know that The Strokes are no more? Obviously if they were to announce they were over millions of hearts would break and beg for one last tour. I know I would.
Everyone knows the intro to Last Nite, and I guarantee if this song is played in a shop or at a party you will find at least one person singing the opening line with Julian, just like Julian, “Laaaaaaaaaast niiiiiiiiiiite.” I bet you’re going to play it now and do exactly that. Go on, do it. You know you want to.
The title track is the one I hold very dear to me. The amount of times where I have just thought “f**ck this” and not had an ounce of motivation left, wondering what exactly is the point- Is This It is like a comfort blanket for me. I suppose that makes me some kind of weirdo.
I’m going to say something that may make you think “what the hell is she on about?!” Have you heard About You Know by Sugarbabes? I’m sure you have. Well, do you think the intro is a rip off of Hard To Explain? I’m not sure if any members of Sugarbabes listen to The Strokes, but it makes you wonder. I’ve told a few friends about this, and they’ve noticed. Maybe it was to just humour me.
As far as debut albums go, Is This It is easily one of the greatest. There is not one thing in particular that make it so wonderful and timeless. Every track is brilliant, no album fillers. The lyrics, the music, the production and Julian’s voice are just astounding. Although it was released in 2001, it sounded ahead of its time then and it still does now. The rawness of it reminds me of an Iggy Pop album which is always a good thing.
It’s an album for the summer, the winter, the highs, the lows, the good, the bad, love, heartbreak, romance and despair.
I bet some people that bought the album based on the cover have purchased Room On Fire and First Impressions Of Earth because they know that The Strokes are one of the greatest bands. What The Ramones were to New York City in the 1970s, The Strokes are just that now and always will be.
All I ask is that they put out another album, and tour!
Beat In My Bones. 