Review 1 of 13

TheModernAge writes:

5of 5 Stars

I was sitting in my friends house after doing this and that one day of the summer. Hanging out, eating, some sort of vandalism. We get inside and grab something to drink and looks at me with the most awe-struck look on his face.
"You gotta listen to this, man!"
He pulls out a CD with colors and all sorts on the front, by 'The Strokes'. You may know ti as 'Is This It'.
I instanly get intranced, and after the album ends, he then slide in 'Room On Fire'. I listen, grabbing everything from it I can.

Most people make statements about the two that 'they are pratically the came album'. Mind you, my dear friends, they are most definitely not. They even have different names! (I kid)

Well, people...here you go. When me and my friend got wind of a third album in production, we literally went insane.
First Impressions (for those of you who complained that The Strokes are doing the 'same ol' thing') is most definitely different. Clearing away from the nitty gritty sound of the past two albums, Impressions bring a much lighter sound.
The album is sort of an epic, from which I view it as. The title of the album itself, First Impressions of Earth, views that The Strokes are somewhat of a new being to the planet, writing they harmonious tracks to how they view the earth and people in it.
Love (You Only Live once, Razor Blade), Sex (Juicebox,) and even Government (Ize of the World) are all covered in this album.
Singer, Julian Casablancas, uses his voice as a gateway of heveanly sounds, giving way to the music. Albert Hammond Jr. and Nick Valensi reply to him through relentless riffs, and a few mentionable solos (Vision of Division and Ize of the World) and also an amazing collaborated lead guitar (Red Light). Drummer Fabrizio Moretti with his sticks of fury, that leave you wondering how with his 4 limbs he could produce the drum parts he spills out. Lastly, Nikolai Fraiture on bass, bringing new and surprising material to each epic.
The Strokes hit the nail on the head in making a good album, but their new trek towards the creative side have left a few downers (Ask Me Anything, a synth track written by Nick and Julian, and 15 minutes, which picks up just as the song ends.)
If you are a huge Strokes fan, or you're losing your Strokesginity, First Impressions won't leave you hanging.

Jan 10, 2007 11:06:43

Review 2 of 13

nwaskew writes:

5of 5 Stars

this album is better than the first two, they are branching out from their indie sound. It's alright not to have distortion on julians vocals on every freakin song. five stars. no doubt

Dec 12, 2006 21:33:26

Review 3 of 13

mdp2419 writes:

4of 5 Stars

I try to avoid the serious temptation to christen the Strokes as geniuses simply through superiority by association. Message to the indistinguishable mass of blurred guitar walls, tame drum sounds and whiny baritones that currently covers the rock scene like a stanky blanket: you're out. Sometimes it takes a shot in the arm from an old formula with a new twist to make us remember what really rocks - namely, real players. After listening to each of these tracks, one can't help thinking, "Wow - so that must've taken them a while..." Each guitar part, as separate and uniquely soulful as the Stones' at their most playful; the rythhm section, as precise and adventurous as Radiohead at its most experimental; J.C.'s vocals, as earnest as Chris Martin doing Bono (so to speak) - it's true - craftmanship is alive and well in young, sloppy rock. Beyond the playing and the production - which fires up the Strokes' punch to a much (gulp) bigger bang, there are the melodies: the yearning build-up of "Electricityscape", the screeching refrain in "Fear Of Sleep", the entirety of "You Only Live Once"; not to mention some of the greatest guitar riffs and solos since "Reptilia", particularly in "Ize Of The World" and "Heart In A Cage". Yeah, the lyrics still seem not-quite-ripe in places, but overall, with their third album, the Strokes have achieved something pretty spectacular for a band of not yet thirty-somethings: they've grown into themselves. Don't listen to the "Is This It" devotees who want to strip back down to getting laid in 2:30. This stuff is better. Up we go.

Mar 25, 2006 10:33:05

Review 4 of 13

musicjunkie writes:

4of 5 Stars

This album is a work of art. First Impressions of Earth is truly something you can listen to over and over again. It's good driving music. You have Julian Casablancas rough, lah-de-da voice on top of clean melodies. This results in a very strong sound. One of my favorites, and if your into gituar tabs, You Only Live Once is very fun to play.

Mar 19, 2006 20:16:42

Review 5 of 13

joncon23 writes:

4of 5 Stars

i find this to be there best album yet ther isn't a better song than "ize of the world" it just brings out the power of Casablanca's voice and the push of the guitars and gets you going. There are a couple of songs that do slow down the album but that just shows the bands variety in making this album, which could lead to moer influential songs for future albums, everything is an experiment. Let them learn. If you even like the strokes dont hesitate to buy this album, and if you like rock go get it, it will blow you away. It is an awesome album

Feb 1, 2006 11:41:54

Review 6 of 13

RICHIE45 writes:

3of 5 Stars

i think there is a lot of content that is good and well thought of, but too many songs on here remind me of other songs i've heard of and then i get mad and stop paying attention to the rest of the song and it's baisically a waste.

Jan 24, 2006 18:47:17

Review 7 of 13

mcmarksalot writes:

4of 5 Stars

What can you expect from the album? A freaking watershed, decade-changing rocker? No. But the album is still by far better than anything put out by any other of those shitty bands like Fall Out Boy, etc. There are some really strong tracks, "Juicebox", "Heart In A Cage", and "Vision of Division" are the best. The last of which is extremely creative and very cool...i extremely enjoy the addicting groove and the indian guitar riff.
If you are a music critic, you have to respect that the Strokes developed a more full-bodied sound and got rid of the abrupt-endings from all their songs. Magazines touted the newest White Stripes album as bad ass, but trust me that album was shit compared to this jam. "How long must I waiiit? How long must I waiiit? How long must I waiiit?" Just listen to the damn album, and you'll be pleased.

Jan 20, 2006 01:45:07

Review 8 of 13

evolman606 writes:

4of 5 Stars

This album provides some of the greatest songs the strokes have ever produced. It showcases the band's wide range of the musical tastes, slowing things down with songs like On the Otherside and the very under-rated Ask Me Anything and then reaching their rock and roll peak with Juicebox and Heart in a Cage. The band even ventures into a strange combination of weezer-esque pure pop/country with the song Red Light and pull it off. Subtract un-inspired songs Killing Lies and Fear of Sleep and you are left with the best album the band has yet made.

Jan 18, 2006 15:40:32