The Strokes first created a buzz among hipsters in 2001 with Is This It, mixing raw garage rock with a rebellious image and street urchin good looks.
Five years later, The Strokes found themselves in a conundrum quite similar to that of Coldplay after a string of uninspiring tour dates in the UK and a sophomore album many critics dubbed “safe” because of its overall lack of growth.
With all of the pressure that comes along with being dubbed the “saviors of rock ‘n’ roll” that was looming portentously over their heads, The Strokes did what others in their position have failed to do and took a chance by recording an album that broadened and expounded upon their sonic boundaries.
Fresh off a string of shows at New York’s Hammerstein Ballroom, The Strokes kicked off their US Tour at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn.
With gleaming stage lights that look like they fell off Coldplay’s tour bus ubiquitously placed on stage.
The Stroke’s front man Julian Casablancas finally fully unleashed his vocal power on “You Only Live Once,” the opening track from The Strokes’ newest record First Impressions of Earth, kicking off their scorching 24 song set.
As Nikolai Fraiture’s menacing bass line fills the auditorium on “Juice Box” Casablancas howls, “Everybody sees me / But it’s not that easy / Standing in the light field.” Despite his claims to the contrary, Casablancas seems more at home then ever standing in the spotlight before a sold-out crowd. Casablancas exposes himself more to his audience than ever on “Ask Me Anything,” accompanied only by guitarist Nick Valensi on piano as the rest of the band disappears from the stage. Later on, Casablancas further immerses himself in his fans as he travels through the crowd on “Vision of Division.”
The Strokes didn’t forget the songs that caused their rise to fame from their first two albums as they served up awe-inspiring renditions of their modern classics “The Modern Age”, “Last Nite”, “Reptilia” and “Barely Legal” with more intensity and fervor than that of the recorded versions. The Strokes even paid homage to fellow New Yorkers the Ramones with a cover of “Life Is a Gas” delivered in textbook Joey Ramone stammer by Casablancas, “Life’s a g-gas.”
“New York City Cops” and “Take It or Leave It” drew the set to a close, leaving another rock ‘n’ roll memory and a bit of sweat on the Ryman’s celebrated stage.

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