The Strokes Albums Ranked

The Strokes are an American rock band from New York City. Formed in 1998, the band is composed of singer Julian Casablancas, guitarists Nick Valensi and Albert Hammond Jr., bassist Nikolai Fraiture, and drummer Fabrizio Moretti. Following the conclusion of five-album deals with RCA and Rough Trade, the band has continued to release new music through Casablancas’ Cult Records.

Met with widespread critical acclaim, the Strokes’ 2001 debut, Is This It, helped usher in the garage rock revival movement of the early-21st century—and ranks number eight on Rolling Stone‘s 100 Best Debut Albums of All Time, number two on Rolling Stone‘s 100 Best Albums of the ’00s, 199 on Rolling Stone‘s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time and number four in the NME top 500 albums of all time. Here are all of The Strokes albums ranked.

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6. First Impressions of Earth (2006)

“Suffice to say I am a huge fan this one. Strokes albums never got me the first or second time listening to them. My brother kind of force fed the first album to me when I’d ride in the car with him. I think the second album I bought even though I was burned out on hear about the band, deciding initially on a few songs were worth listening to. Then I liked more. Then I loved the second album completely (“I thought I told you this world is not for you” was probably my in for connecting to the album).”

5. Comedown Machine (2013)

“This album is a bit different then their others but it holds up quite well. I love the 80’s/new rock infusion of The Strokes. Like their other albums the more you listen the more you’ll love it. Listen to it over and over and one day you’ll hear it in a whole new amazing way. Definite record to be included in your record if you like The Strokes.

4. The New Abnormal (2020)

I’m on my fourth or fifth listen and felt compelled to weigh in here. This is The Strokes’ best work in a decade and a half and that should absolutely not go overlooked. It’s an AMAZING batch of songs, drunk or not. Is it even better while plastered? Yes? Did I proofread this several times? Affirmative. Just buy this. Give them your money. I want more Strokes music. Let’s make that happen.”

3. Angles (2011)

“I listened to this album in my car the 1st time, loved just about every song. The Strokes have such a unique sound, it has really grown on me – I was thrilled to see they had a new album out. This CD did not disappoint. They’re the only band that can make the songs like that, they are really in a catagory of their own. I played it later for my husband, he didn’t like it like I did at first -but now he does! The more you listen the more you love it! I always put 5 CDs on random & whenever one of the Strokes tunes from this album comes on he’ll mention what a great song it is – this CD is loaded. I definitely recommend.”

2. Room on Fire (2003)

“Is This It” was a pretty hard album to beat, and I think they realized that. “Room On Fire” is similar, but not in a way where you think “hey this is just ‘Is This It’ but with more songs”. Like the first album, “Room On Fire” contains no filler and is pretty much just as enjoyable (it’s very much a foot-tapper). Like “Is This It”, “Room On Fire” also has a bunch of hit-worthy songs that help make it appealing to the masses (“Reptilia” for example). Every song is laced with a very catchy beat or guitar hook and they mostly contain interesting lyrics, although Julian still sounds kind of emotionless most of the time. Nevertheless, if you like rock or are a fan of The Strokes you’ll most likely enjoy this album. Recommended!”

1. Is This It (2001)

“The Strokes have served up an entertaining, tightly produced album here. It’s very cool to hear a band playing stripped down rock and roll these days, especially when popular music & hip hop seems to be moving more and more into the uber-production realm. There’s a real earnestness about the songs on this album, and that’s an element that’s been missing from conventional rock for a while.

The problem, if it is a problem, is that the Strokes seem to have made very little effort to transcend their influences. I like arguing with my friends about whether sounds more like the Ramones or the Velvet Underground when it’s a challenge to figure it out. But when whole riffs have been lifted out of songs and placed into others and presented as new it’s a little troublesome and can get irritating. (If you don’t believe me, listen to a few Pixies CDs before you listen to this one.)

Luckily there’s enough charm in the album that these annoyances can be overlooked with some effort; and it’ll be cool to see what they do with their next album, because there’s a ton of potential here.”