THE STROKES | IS THIS IT
The debut studio album from The Strokes changed things. It was massively hyped and set a new trend for indie-hipster-rockers everywhere. The album was full of grooves, punk attitude, and simplicity. On this album they didn’t just re-hash influences such as The Velvet Underground, but made every part of their inspiration entirely their own. With it’s low-fi but major label sound it flawlessly embodied grit and high style. It’s success spawned a massive sea change in mainstream music at time which gave an energetic push to bands like the Arctic Monkeys and Kinds of Leon.
The album is chock full of bangers and melody and the band is in perfect form right from the tick of the hi-hat intro on the first track. Guitars are sharp and punchy as Julian Casablanca’s croons through a redlined microphone. Classic tracks like Someday and Last Nite conjure up the scent of stale beer cans brimming with wet cigarettes from the night before. It works as a party starter, a comedown, a pre-game, or a night in.
As the album is a quintessential part of rock culture, it is best paired with trashy beer.
THE MODERN AGE
1 can of Pabst Blue Ribbon beer
2 oz Jack Daniels
3oz Coca-cola
*Pour the Jack Daniels into a rocks glass with ice and top with the cola. Enjoy the beer on its own.