06/17/2026
It’s pretty telling how fast time flies when someone mentions a record like Is This It, the debut from the Strokes. At first, the mind calculates and thinks, Oh, that was, what, a decade ago? No, kids and elders, that landmark hipster cache of rock ‘n’ roll was released 25 years ago! It’s hard to believe as we keep driving around in circles, but it’s very true.
When that record, and band, hit the scene, there was a genuine buzz about them. They, like others before them, were going to save rock ‘n’ roll from itself and restore some street-cred hip factor to a world bogged down by boy bands, alt-rock and hip-hop hangovers. Armed with a fresh take on the teachings of the Velvet Underground, Modern Lovers, Voidoids and more, this gang of NYC youngsters seemed to have it down, from the ragged sound of those guitars and flippant vocal snarl to the look and attitude of these ragamuffins.
The album is full of the charming and the disarming with songs like Is This It, Last Nite, New York City Cops, Someday and The Modern Age, perhaps the most Velvetized three minutes to ring out in many years. Despite the obvious reference points, the Strokes always seemed genuine and seemed to be having a blast while inviting everyone along for the ride. Hard to believe 25 years have intervened since then, but the songs here still shine with a wink and a nod to the past and the future.
Tune in and rock out as we feature the Strokes’ debut throughout the day Thursday, June 18. - Dave Swanson
