Customer Reviews

Hard to Explain

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Everytime Rolling Stone or NME 'discover' the next big thing, the next Nirvana, I yawn. But this time they were right. The Strokes are in fact the best thing since Nirvana. And they don't even have an album yet! In their second single, "Hard to Explain", they prove not to be one more garage rock band from NY with pretty faces. Julian Casablancas, the lead singer, has this unique voice and way of singing that will probably drive all groupies insane. Some might say it reminds of Lou Reed when he was young, but I'm afraid to say it's even better. The Strokes are pure and simple ROCK, with no frills, special effects or any modern excuses. They sound just like a NYC 70's band, straight out of Maxim's. Well, I don't buy the "salvation of rock" crap. What does rock need to be saved of anyway? But if it did, they would be the right ones to do it.

I'm mad that I can't write a review for the album yet - I got it in July. These guys rolled through adelaide recently and I caught their show. Brilliant. I've been to a lot of gigs over the years but this one blew me away. They're like the Velvets playing 150% faster, but with more of an ear to melody aka Television. Hard to Explain is probably the most immediate pop track from the album, but not much like the pop you've been hearing in the charts recently - which makes the strokes so important. Not just because the music is so great - there's loads of great stuff around if you look for it - but because they have a very good chance of being huge. And raw rock and roll in the charts is a very good thing cos it influences the kiddies in the way of the axe and keeps the oldies happy as well.

If I had kids I'd make them listen to this. All the time. In fact, everyone in the world could benefit from having these songs screamed in their ear. Everyone should sing like this. I'm going to start walking around with a little amplifier with a broken speaker and yell at everyone in a new york city accent. Why? Because it sounds so ... cool. Which is also the reason you should buy this single and the album and wear leather jackets.

Being in the uk i have had this album since august, i have to say it has hardly been out of my stereo since, clearly one of the best debut albums of the last decade ( i would almost go so far as to say since Nevermind or Definatly Maybe). I am also happy to say i have seen them live at gig on the green in glasgow, scotland the day before the release of is this it. I have verymuch enjoyed this ensemble of rock and roll at its best, you will never have to skip a track.
Buy it Buy it now, not because all your friends are buying it or because you think it will make you look cool, dont give in to the peer pressure, buy it because you are a true music fan.

NME ARE QUITE CORRECT, GROUNDBREAKING? TRY EARTH SHATTERING

Hard to explain is probably the best song by the much overhyped Strokes, NYC Cops is easily their worst. With 8th grade lyrics like "NYC Cops, they're not really smart" you have to think twice about their credibility. Televison/Richard Hell vocals, gimmmicky songs, pretty boy looks. This band has yet to display what it takes to last..

I bought the Australian version of this CD single, but felt like posting my review here as well. Heck, they're basically the same thing. Having been caught up in The Strokes hype, and completely impressed by their debut full-length album IS THIS IT, I just had to buy this single so I could have the much-touted "best song off the whole friggin' album," as most people claim it to be. It's obviously the most punk-like and aggressive song in their repertoire, but in my humble opinion it ain't the best. I'd vote THE MODERN AGE or SOMEDAY for that honor. I do hope at some point this is added back to the US release of IS THIS IT. I understand the reason behind keeping it off the album, but I think any intelligent person should be trusted to be able to differentiate between a young person's rebellious view of authority, and the truly heroic and selfless acts of the NYPD. For now I'll just record it on the end of the tape of IS THIS IT I've already made.

brilliant new single from the immaculately dressed newcomers from New York. the guitar accompanies itself superbly and the lyrics are great. I love the pause in the middle- it almost feels like a rest to contemplate the song in your head ! All I'm waiting for now is the album...

Unlike everything else the NME have recommended as the 'new Nirvana'... Queens of the Stone Age? Good, but nothing amazing... At The Drive In? Just like Fugazi but without the tunes.... this time, they're right. This is the best song off the forthcoming album (out the end of August in the UK) - I'm listening to a promo copy of the LP and it's stunning. It's Television and the Velvets and the Stooges all rolled into one, with a little bit of The Jesus Lizard and Pavement for weirdness' sake. It's just nice to hear someone play Lou Reed style 'slash guitar' on a record! Trust me, don't sleep on this one, buy all the singles then pre-order the album. You won't regret it.