Saturday, July 30th marks the 10 year anniversary of the debut release from the Strokes. Is This It came out during the summer before my senior year of high school (I have said it before, but damn, I am getting old). My musical taste was just starting to take a turn for the better over the last year at that time. I had discovered Radiohead and my previous favorite band, Dave Matthews Band, not only took a step down in my book, but they were practically thrown down the staircase. The Strokes were another one of those bands who really made me change my listening habits. They were part of that garage rock revival of the early 2000s that brought us some great bands like the White Stripes, and some not so great ones like The Vines(ugh).
The Strokes debut had touches of Television and The Velvet Underground all over it, something that I had not heard much of at the time. Plus, they just looked cool, between the leather jackets, the swagger, and the don't give a crap attitude. No matter to the rumors that most of them were prep school brats using daddy's money to pay for their recording sessions. Their quick, hook filled songs were perfect for summer listening, especially songs like "Someday". At the end of the aughts, when most of the best of the decade lists came out, Is This It was frequently in the Top 10. The band has still been trying to match the glory of the release in their follow ups, to mostly mixed results.
To honor the 10 year mark of the classic album's release, fellow online music blog Stereogum has complied a free, downloadable tribute album titled Stroked: A Tribute to Is This It. The blog has a history of putting together their own tributes to classic albums. In the past, they have done one for REM's Automatic for the People and Radiohead's OK Computer. I usually stay away from tribute albums as they generally turn out to be weak and an excuse to sell records, but again, this is free and I respect Stereogum's opinion so I gave it a chance.
The lead off track, Peter Bjorn and John's take on "Is This It" does nothing to make be forget the superior original, but they are some great covers on here. Owen Pallett gives a gorgeous interpretation of Is This It's standout track, "Hard to Explain" and turns it into a string filled beauty. The Morning Benders must have given Strokes' front man Julian Casablancas' solo album, Phrazes for the Young a good listen because their cover of "Last Nite" could have easily fit in, turning the song into a synth pop heaven.
Judge for yourself on the standout tracks, but for a tribute album, you could do alot worse. You may download this entire album for free at Stereogum's page.
Owen Pallett - Hard To Explain(Strokes Cover) by buffablog
Morning Benders - Last Nite(Strokes Cover) by buffablog
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