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A rare glimpse into the final days of Michael Jackson, the documentary is compiled from an estimated 80 hours of rehearsal and behind-the-scenes footage of the legendary entertainer preparing for his 50 sold-out shows at London's O2 Arena that were scheduled to commence in July 2009 before his untimely death in June at age 50. Interviews with collaborators and close friends of the late performer are also featured.
Reviewer description:
The Strokes: Julian Casablancas (vocals); Nick Valensi, Albert Hammond, Jr. (guitar); Nikolai Fraiture (bass); Fab Moretti (drums).
Recorded at Transporterraum, New York, New York.
This limited edition of IS THIS IT contains a bonus DVD with three videos and two un-aired TV performances.
The Strokes: Julian Casablancas (vocals); Nick Valensi, Albert Hammond, Jr. (guitar); Nikolai Fraiture (bass); Fab Moretti (drums).
Recorded at Transporterraum, New York, New York.
Personnel: Julian Casablancas (vocals); Nick Valensi (guitar); Fabrizio Moretti (drums).
Recording information: Transporaterraum, New York, NY; Transporterraum, New York, NY.
Arriving on a wave of well-earned hype rooted in tight chops and a confident swagger, the Strokes offer a rock & roll antidote to the plague of boy bands, teen divas, and petulant rap-rock outfits. Despite this quintet's prep-school background, their sound comes from the same primordial ooze that spawned Big Apple legends like the New York Dolls and the Velvet Underground.
Clocking in at 36 minutes, IS THIS IT packs its perfect length with stellar songs that draw inspiration from all over the map. Among the many highlights are "Last Nite" with its insistent Motown backbeat and choppy Johnny Thunders-like guitar solo, "Barely Legal," sounding like 1980s-era Cure fronted by a saucy Iggy Pop, and the jangly "Someday" with its hairshirt of vulnerability from a bad break-up. While frontman Julian Casablancas (son of Elite Models founder John) drawls like Lou Reed through a busted intercom, guitarists Nick Valensi and Albert Hammond Jr. do Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd proud as their sinewy chords intertwine to great effect on the angular "The Modern Age" and equally neurotic "Alone, Together." Thanks to the Strokes, rumors of rock & roll's demise appear to have been greatly exaggerated.
Arriving on a wave of well-earned hype rooted in tight chops and a confident swagger, The Strokes offer a rock & roll antidote to the plague of boy bands, teen divas and petulant rap-rock outfits. Despite this quintet's prep-school background, their sound comes from the same primordial ooze that spawned Big Apple legends like The New York Dolls and The Velvet Underground.
Clocking in at 36 minutes, IS THIS IT packs its perfect length with stellar songs that draw inspiration from all over the map. Among the many highlights are "Last Nite" with its insistent Motown backbeat and choppy Johnny Thunders-like guitar solo, "Barely Legal," sounding like '80s-era Cure fronted by a saucy Iggy Pop, and the jangly "Someday" with its hairshirt of vulnerability from a bad break-up. While frontman Julian Casablancas (son of Elite Models founder John) drawls like Lou Reed through a busted intercom, guitarists Nick Valensi and Albert Hammond Jr. do Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd proud as their sinewy chords intertwine to great effect on the angular "The Modern Age" and equally neurotic "Alone, Together." Thanks to The Strokes, rumors of rock & roll's demise appear to have been greatly exaggerated.
Rolling Stone (4/11/02, p.108) - Ranked #49 in Rolling Stone's "50 Coolest Records".
Rolling Stone (1/03/02, p.119) - Ranked #8 in Rolling Stone's "Top 10 2001".
Rolling Stone (10/11/01, pp.89-90) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...Pure New York rock & roll: all gray-pavement aggression wrapped in black-leather cool....The music leaves no doubts - more joyful and intense than anything else...heard this year."
Rolling Stone (4/11/02, p.108) - Ranked #49 in Rolling Stone's "50 Coolest Records".
Rolling Stone (1/03/02, p.119) - Ranked #8 in Rolling Stone's "Top 10 2001".
Rolling Stone (10/11/01, pp.89-90) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...Pure New York rock & roll: all gray-pavement aggression wrapped in black-leather cool....The music leaves no doubts - more joyful and intense than anything else...heard this year."
Spin (1/02, p.77) - Ranked #18 in Spin's "Albums of the Year 2001" - "...Super-catchy songs that make you wanna pogo...the male Elastica!"
Spin (1/02, p.77) - Ranked #18 in Spin's "Albums of the Year 2001" - "...Super-catchy songs that make you wanna pogo...the male Elastica!"
Entertainment Weekly (12/28/01, p.136) - Ranked #1 "Album of the Year".
Entertainment Weekly (9/28/01, pp.71-2) - "...A blur of sooty grit and grind..." - Rating: A-
Entertainment Weekly (12/28/01, p.136) - Ranked #1 "Album of the Year".
Entertainment Weekly (9/28/01, pp.71-2) - "...A blur of sooty grit and grind..." - Rating: A-
Q (9/01, p.120) - 5 stars out of 5 - "...A breathless, goggle-eyed, assuredly brilliant album...it works wonders."
Q (9/01, p.120) - 5 stars out of 5 - "...A breathless, goggle-eyed, assuredly brilliant album...it works wonders."
Alternative Press (2/02, p.65) - Ranked #25 in AP's "25 Best Albums of 2001".
Alternative Press (2/02, p.65) - Ranked #25 in AP's "25 Best Albums of 2001".
Magnet (12-1/02, p.57) - Included in Magnet's "20 Best Albums of 2001".
Magnet (12-1/02, p.57) - Included in Magnet's "20 Best Albums of 2001".
CMJ (10/15/01, p.6) - "...One big rock'n'roll orgy..."
CMJ (10/15/01, p.6) - "...One big rock'n'roll orgy..."
Mojo (Publisher) (p.63) - Ranked #33 in Mojo's "100 Modern Classics" -- "Rattled together hastily, The Strokes' debut captured the Bowery-basement cool of 'their moment'."
Mojo (Publisher) (1/02, p.69) - Ranked #3 in Mojo's "Best [40] Albums of 2001".
Mojo (Publisher) (9/01, p.97) - "...A heartily uplifting brew of scruffy street style, swear words and stammering pop tunes which sweat musical history...and sound infuriatingly easy to make..."
Mojo (Publisher) (1/02, p.69) - Ranked #3 in Mojo's "Best [40] Albums of 2001".
Mojo (Publisher) (9/01, p.97) - "...A heartily uplifting brew of scruffy street style, swear words and stammering pop tunes which sweat musical history...and sound infuriatingly easy to make..."
NME (Magazine) (12/29/01, p.59) - Ranked #1 in NME's 50 "Albums Of the Year 2001".
NME (Magazine) (8/25/01, p.49) - 10 out of 10 - "...Concise and elegant rock music by 5 young men....Indispensable....There's nothing unnecessary here..."
NME (Magazine) (12/29/01, p.59) - Ranked #1 in NME's 50 "Albums Of the Year 2001".
NME (Magazine) (8/25/01, p.49) - 10 out of 10 - "...Concise and elegant rock music by 5 young men....Indispensable....There's nothing unnecessary here..."
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