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Is This It is the debut studio album by American rock band the Strokes, released on July 30, 2001, by RCA Records. It was recorded at Transporterraum in New York City with producer Gordon Raphael from March to April 2001. For their debut, the band strove to capture a simple sound that was not significantly enhanced in the studio. Musically, Is This It has been described as a garage rock revival, indie rock, and post-punk revival album. All songs on the album were mixed using 11 audio tracks or less. According to Valensi, the album contains “no gimmicks, no tricks” to try to get the listener to like the compositions.

“The Modern Age” follows and includes a guitar riff accompanied by a complementary drum line. Its staccato verse is followed by an upbeat, singalong chorus and a guitar solo. Discussing the album’s simplicity and measured approach, Valensi has commented, “We don’t put in a guitar solo just to have one.”

Up on a hill, here’s where we begin
This little story, a long time ago
Stop to pretend, stop pretending
It seems this game is simply never-ending
Oh in the sun shine having fun, it’s in my blood
I just can’t help it
Don’t want you here right now, let me go
Let me go go go go go go go go
Leaving just in time
Stay there for a while
Rolling in the ocean
Trying to catch her eye
Work hard and say it’s easy
Do it just to please me
Tomorrow will be different
So I’ll pretend I’m leaving
I feel so different now, we trained at AVA
I wish you hadn’t stayed
But I’m unafraid
Flyin’ over seas, no time to feel the breeze
I took too many varieties
Oh in the sun shine having fun, it’s in my blood
I just can’t help it
Don’t want you here right now, let me go
Darling let me go go go go go go go go
Leaving just in time
Stay there for a while
Rolling in the ocean
Trying to catch her eye
Work hard and say it’s easy
Do it just to please me
Tomorrow will be different
So this is why I’m leaving
Songwriter:  Julian Fernando Casablancas