Tired of your Spotify playlists? The Purbalite is here to help with our Essential Listening series.
The third studio album from the American rock band the Strokes, First Impressions on Earth, serves as an underrated lyrical and melodic masterpiece.
The album was initially released in December 2005, heavily contributing to the alternative rock genre of the early 2000s.
The song “Razor Blade” has a collection of electric guitar ad-libs along with heavy instrumentals. The melody is paired nicely with the vocals of the main singer, Julian Casablancas.
The most popular song on the album, “You Only Live Once,” conveys a summer-like feeling, with an array of electric guitar features, cymbals, and beats. The vocals are pleasing to the ear and complement the entirety of the song.
“Juicebox” has an entirely different tone and feel to the previous two songs, as it conveys more of a rocking, mysterious mood with the presence of the bass guitar and intense instrumentals. The vocals are more aggressive and emotional, creating a more dangerous feel.
“Heart In a Cage” has the similar mysterious and aggressive tone as “Juicebox,” as they are more attuned to the rock genre than the other songs in the album. There is also an eeriness attached to the vocals, which pairs nicely with the electric guitar ad-libs and the overall beat.
Overall, First Impressions on Earth is a great representation of rock in the early 2000s and deserves a listen.
