Members
Julian Casablancas (vocals), Nick Valensi (guitar), Albert Hammond Jr. (guitar), Nikolai Fraiture (bass), and Fabrizio Moretti (drums)
Formation
The founding process of The Strokes was a serendipitous convergence of childhood connections and a shared musical vision. Julian Casablancas, Fabrizio Moretti, and Nick Valensi, childhood friends with varying musical experiences, came together in the late '90s. The trio's dynamic was enriched with the addition of guitarist Albert Hammond Jr. and bassist Nikolai Fraiture. Bonded by a mutual love for garage rock, punk, and new wave, the quintet officially formed The Strokes in 1998, embarking on a journey to synthesize their diverse influences into a sound that would later redefine the indie rock landscape. The amalgamation of their individual talents and shared passion for music set the stage for The Strokes' rise to prominence in the early 2000s.
Is This It (2001)
"Is This It" The Strokes" debut album released in 2001 under the reputable record label RCA, is an electrifying sonic manifesto that not only redefined the landscape of indie rock but also garnered widespread critical acclaim. Infused with a raw and unfiltered energy, the album became an instant classic, hailed for its gritty exploration of New York City's underground music scene. Featuring iconic tracks like "Last Nite" and "Someday," Julian Casablancas' charismatic vocals, Nick Valensi and Albert Hammond Jr.'s guitar interplay, and the band's overall swagger made "Is This It" a timeless masterpiece. Its critical acclaim propelled The Strokes to the forefront of the early 2000s indie rock revival, cementing their status as trailblazers in the genre.
Room On Fire (2003)
"Room On Fire" the sophomore album by The Strokes released in 2003, seamlessly follows the success of their groundbreaking debut, "Is This It" The Strokes" (2001). While "Is This It" The Strokes" quickly became a cultural touchstone and achieved widespread acclaim, "Room On Fire" faced the challenge of living up to its predecessor's legacy.
From the rhythmic urgency of "12:51" to the infectious guitar riffs of "Reptilia," each track on "Room On Fire" showcases The Strokes' continued commitment to crafting catchy, yet substantive, rock anthems. While not eclipsing the commercial success of their debut, the album solidified The Strokes' standing as stalwarts of the early 2000s rock revival, demonstrating their artistic growth and ability to sustain their unique sound.
Juicebox and First Impressions Of Earth (2005 - 2006)
"Juicebox" by The Strokes, released as a single on November 14, 2005, ahead of their album "First Impressions of Earth," faced an early online leak, adding to the anticipation. Despite this, the track's bold guitar riffs and Julian Casablancas' charismatic vocals contributed to its positive reception, marking a significant moment in The Strokes' musical journey. They also released a catchy B-side "Hawaii".
"First Impressions Of Earth" The Strokes' third studio album released in January 2006, received a mix of reviews. Critics praised the album's experimental departure from the band's earlier sound, commending Julian Casablancas' introspective lyrics, dynamic guitar work, and rhythmic innovation. Standout tracks like "Juicebox" and "You Only Live Once" showcased The Strokes' ability to evolve while retaining their signature coolness. Despite differing opinions, the album marked a bold exploration of new musical territories and sparked conversations about the band's artistic evolution within the indie rock landscape.
Angles (2011)
"Angles" released by The Strokes in 2011, is a pivotal album in the band's journey, receiving a mix of reviews. Critics lauded its experimentation and collaborative nature, showcasing a departure from their previous works. Standout tracks like "Under Cover of Darkness" and "Machu Picchu" received praise for blending The Strokes' signature sound with fresh influences. While some critics found the album's diversity refreshing, others felt it lacked cohesion. Despite mixed reviews, "Angles" signaled The Strokes' return with a revitalized energy, sparking conversations about their evolving musical direction.
Comedown Machine (2013)
"Comedown Machine" released by The Strokes in 2013, is a unique entry in their discography. The album showcases a departure from their traditional sound, embracing a more synth-driven and experimental approach. Tracks like "One Way Trigger" and "Tap Out" demonstrate The Strokes' willingness to evolve, dividing critics but still affirming their capacity for sonic exploration. "Comedown Machine" adds another layer to The Strokes' musical evolution, inviting listeners into a realm of unexpected sounds and creative divergence. The Strokes adopted a media blackout strategy, refraining from interviews and traditional promotional activities. This intentional approach added an air of mystery to the album's release, sparking curiosity and discussions about the band's creative intentions.
Future Present Past EP (2016)
"Future Present Past" is a 2016 EP by The Strokes, featuring tracks like "Drag Queen", "OBLIVIOUS" and "Threat Of Joy" offering a glimpse into the band's evolving sound during the period between their albums "Comedown Machine" and "The New Abnormal".
The New Abnormal (2020)
Produced by legendary music producer Rick Rubin, "The New Abnormal" is The Strokes' sixth studio album, released in 2020 after a seven-year hiatus. The album represents a return to the spotlight for the band and showcases a blend of their signature rock sound with fresh and contemporary elements. Notable tracks include "The Adults Are Talking" and "Selfless". "The New Abnormal" received critical acclaim for its maturity, experimentation, and the band's ability to evolve while staying true to their distinctive style. The album's release was a highly anticipated moment for fans, marking a successful comeback for The Strokes after their extended hiatus.
Albert Hammond Jr. confirmed, that The Strokes are working on a new album, a follow-up to the succesful "The New Abnormal".
Here are the band members' side projects along with their released albums:
Julian Casablancas:
Julian Casablancas - Phrazes For The Young (2009).The Voidz - Tyranny (2014), Virtue (2018).
Albert Hammond Jr.
Albert Hammond Jr. - Yours To Keep (2006), Como Te Llama? (2008), Momentary Masters (2016), Francis Trouble (2018).
Nick Valensi
CRX - New Skin (2016), Peek (2018).
Fabrizio Moretti
Little Joy - Little Joy (2008).machinegum - Conduit (2019).
Nikolai Fraiture
Nickel Eye - The Time Of The Assassins (2008).SUMMER MOON - With You Tonight (2017), Casino Days (2023).
Alone Together
The Strokes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let him go, he gave up
I gave up
Lisa says, "Take time for me"
Dropping him down to his knees
Ah, chest down
Take me away
Things, they have changed
In such a permanent way
Life seems unreal
Can we go back to your place?
Oh, "You drink too much"
Makes me drink just the same
People tried, felt so right
Giving themselves good advice
Looking down sometimes felt nice
He knows it's justified to kill to survive
He then in dollars makes more dead than alive
Let's suck more blood, let's run three hours a day
The world is over but I don't care 'cause
I am with you
Now I've got to explain
Things, they have changed
In such a permanent way
Life seems unreal
Can we go back to your place?
"You drink too much"
Makes me drink just the same
The first time, it happened too fast
The second time, I thought it would last
We all like it a little different
The lyrics to the song Alone Together by The Strokes speak about a stagnant relationship that has reached a point of no return. The singer's lover has given up on the relationship, and they now find themselves alone together, unable to go back to how things were before. The line "Let him go, he gave up, I gave up" highlights the sense of resignation that both parties feel.
Lisa, a third party, enters the picture and offers an escape from the suffocating circumstances that the singer finds themselves in. The lyrics "Take time for me, Dropping him down to his knees" suggest that the singer is attracted to Lisa and is considering leaving their current partner for her. However, they are unable to escape the reality of their situation and are left in a state of disorientation, asking "Can we go back to your place?"
The later verses of the song touch on themes like the futility of life and making the most of it while one can. The line "The world is over but I don't care 'cause I am with you" suggests that although life may seem meaningless, companionship still holds value. Overall, the song deals with themes of lost love, escapism, and ultimately finding purpose in life.
Line by Line Meaning
No choice now, it's too late
It is too late to make any other choice.
Let him go, he gave up
Let him go because he gave up on the situation.
I gave up
The singer gave up too.
Lisa says, "Take time for me"
Someone named Lisa wants the artist to take time for them.
Dropping him down to his knees
Someone was brought to their knees in defeat.
Ah, chest down
The despair and defeat is overwhelming.
Take me away
The singer wants to be taken away from the situation.
See I've got to explain
The artist feels the need to explain something.
Things, they have changed
Things have changed drastically.
In such a permanent way
The changes are permanent.
Life seems unreal
Life seems surreal and not like reality.
Can we go back to your place?
The artist wants to go back to someone's place.
Oh, "You drink too much"
Someone is being told that they drink too much.
Makes me drink just the same
The singer drinks as well due to the influence of others.
People tried, felt so right
People gave advice that felt right at the time.
Giving themselves good advice
People gave themselves advice that felt like the right thing to do.
Looking down sometimes felt nice
Feeling superior and looking down on others brought a sense of satisfaction.
He knows it's justified to kill to survive
Someone believes killing is justified in order to survive.
He then in dollars makes more dead than alive
Someone is making more profit from death than life.
Let's suck more blood, let's run three hours a day
This line refers to a sense of greed and excessive activity.
The world is over but I don't care 'cause
Even though the world seems to be ending, the artist doesn't care because of their current situation.
I am with you
The artist is with someone else at the moment.
Now I've got to explain
The singer has to explain something to the person they are with.
The first time, it happened too fast
Something happened quickly the first time.
The second time, I thought it would last
The singer thought something would last the second time around, but it didn't.
We all like it a little different
Everyone has different preferences.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Julian Casablancas
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@maab7676
No one has ever made me question my ability to understand english, my first and only language, as well as Julian and it doesn't help that the vocals were seemingly recorded with a toaster.
(said with all the love and respect ❤️❤️)
@skatealex1
This band may be famous one day
@Toolesty
Yep, tomorrow
@JohnDoe-ci6ey
🍀
@caiordj
only if one day they stop trying to be the arctic monkeys and create their own style
@iknowtoomuch
they were, they rocked back in 00s
@Brypsyn
@Caio arctic monkeys was trying to imitate them first tho
@Bernadette1992
Julian’s voice ❤ I didn’t realise I could love him more
@Maria-ny9hf
this man is an icon
@gloriadanielamoralescordob8667
De los solos de guitarra que todos en nuestra adolescencia quisimos tocar.
@darkdaffy1154
Lo gracioso de todo es que a pesar de ser notas que un experto llame simples, crean una sensación y sonido perfecto