The Strokes’ debut Is This It (July 2001) revived garage rock, influenced Arctic Monkeys, The Killers, and Franz Ferdinand, and became NME’s Album of the Decade—saving rock’n’roll from nu-metal and boy bands.
Post-9/11 Relevance
Released July 2001 in Europe, delayed to October in US (removed “New York City Cops” post-9/11). Album captured pre-9/11 NYC cool: CBGB’s grit, Velvet Underground art-punk, Ramones rawness. Became nostalgic soundtrack for lost innocence.
Critical Adoration
Metacritic 90 (universal acclaim). NME named it Album of the Decade (2000s), beating Radiohead’s Kid A. Rolling Stone placed it #199 on 500 Greatest Albums Ever. Influenced 2000s indie rock blueprint.
Commercial Impact
Peaked #33 on Billboard 200 (modest US sales), but UK #2. Certified Platinum in UK, Gold in US. Singles “Last Nite,” “Hard to Explain,” and “Someday” became indie anthems. College radio staples.
Cultural Legacy
Julian Casablancas’ detached vocals, Albert Hammond Jr.’s interlocking guitar riffs, and Nick Valensi’s minimalist solos created “The Strokes sound.” Skinny jeans, leather jackets, and disheveled hair became indie uniform.
Influence Chain
Inspired Arctic Monkeys’ Whatever People Say I Am (2006), The Killers’ Hot Fuss (2004), Franz Ferdinand (2004), and Interpol’s Turn on the Bright Lights (2002). Garage rock revival spawned hundreds of imitators.
Long-Term Impact
Album re-entered charts during 2010s vinyl revival. “Reptilia” (from Room on Fire, 2003) became sports anthem. The Strokes headlined Coachella 2011, 2015. Millennials cited Is This It as formative.
Legacy: Defined early 2000s indie rock aesthetic. Proved lo-fi production and simplicity could triumph over polished pop. Saved rock from irrelevance.
Sources:
- NME Album of the Decade
- Metacritic reviews
- Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Albums
- Billboard chart data