Tag Archives: this

#643: The Strokes – Is This It

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This is it. The title track and opener on The Strokes’ debut album from 2001. And a lot argue that it never got a lot better than this. I’ve said I’m more into Room on Fire in the past but ‘Is This It’ is definitely one of The Strokes’ best songs, in my opinion.

Everything about it sounds so simple, warm and cozy to the ears; it is a song that couldn’t see anyone not liking for any particular reason whatsoever. Two seconds of silence are interrupted by the sound of a tape reel rewinding, before the track’s slow drum rhythm comes in along with the first guitar and Julian Casablancas’ trademark croon. The verse transitions into the first chorus where the second guitar is introduced, but it’s when that bass line kicks in on the second verse that the track is complete. It’s the full package. If you don’t like the hop/skipping catchiness of the bass with basically everything else you hear…. The Strokes aren’t for you. The band gives you what they’re all about right here in the short duration of time the song lasts for.

Did you know that the sound at the beginning is actually a take of ‘Someday’ that’s been sped up to a crazy amount and progressively been slowed down? It’s interesting to hear, if you care that much.

My iPod #492: The Streets – Has It Come to This?

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“Has It Come to This?” was the first single from Original Pirate Material, the debut album from 2002 by English rapper Mike Skinner under the alias The Streets. Emerging from the UK garage scene that occurred during the late 90s, the tracks on the album deal with everyday occurrences and relatable issues such as love, getting drunk, and going out and manage to capture those little moments that many young people go through. The album was, and still is loved, to this day thanks to Skinner’s delivery, humour, observational lyricism and good beats.

“Has It Come to This” is the second track on the album after Skinner starts things off with brutal confidence on “Turn the Page”, and it is on it that the observational lyricism that runs throughout the entire album really begins. With calming vibes and a chilled piano sample, the song is Skinner’s invitation to the listener to sit back, relax and enjoy the album whilst also giving us a wealth of information about himself and what he sees around him on a daily basis.

Constantly reminding us of his name and album title in the choruses Mike Skinner demands us to get acquainted with what you are about to experience. This was only the beginning.

My iPod #366: Blink-182 – Feeling This

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“Feeling This” was the first single released from Blink-182’s self-titled album from 2003. The track was the first thing to show the pop-punk group’s new serious direction the three members decided to pursue, instead of being seen as those toilet-humour rascals who ran around naked in their music videos.

The track is about being in love and the endless feelings and possibilities that arise when in the situation. Tom and Mark have a call and response thing going on in the verses and their vocals come together through the majority of the track with the two having a duet as the song reaches its ending, making it one of the more collaborative songs on the album.

It’s a great way to start things off – placed anywhere else on the tracklist it wouldn’t have the same effect and would probably be considered as filler – and it provides that sweet energy that a listener wants when hearing an album for the first time.