Is This It
Is This It sounds relaxed, but its parts fit together with impressive care. The two guitars support each other, the rhythm section keeps the songs moving, and Julian Casablancas sings as though none of it requires much effort. Beneath that attitude is a strong feel for melody. The Strokes make their debut appealing by reaching the point quickly and adding very little that a song does not need.
The title track starts quietly enough to leave room for its bassline. "The Modern Age" then shows how much energy the band can produce together. The guitars keep the song moving while Casablancas stays somewhere between speaking and singing. He does not have to become louder all the time to hold attention. His distant delivery provides a useful balance to the activity around him.
"Someday" lightens its nostalgia with an easy melody and breezy guitar playing. "Last Nite" has more blues in its movement, while "Hard to Explain" places a strong tune over a tight, distorted rhythm. These are different versions of the same clear approach. There is room to follow the bass, drums and guitars separately, but no part pulls the song apart unnecessarily. Even the tougher passages keep their sense of pop.
The limitations are clear, too. The singing often stays in a similar register, and the words about relationships and city life rarely search for much depth. Familiar influences and a compact sound give the record a fairly narrow range. That need not spoil the pleasure. Its strength lies in how carefully the band works within that space. Is This It needs little fuss to make its songs convincing. It remains a very effective debut for anyone drawn to rhythm, guitar melodies and direct songwriting.
