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Episode length: 1h 3m
Twenty-five years ago, the New York City band The Strokes released one of the most widely hyped debut albums in rock history. Critics saw them as the saviors of rock n’ roll. But if the cultural influence of modern rock music is any indication, that promise fell short. In his new book Is This It: The Never-Ending Rise and Fall of the Strokes (and Rock ‘n’ Roll), music journalist Steven Hyden considers the fickle fate of rock through the trajectory of the Strokes’ career. He joins the podcast to discuss how the Strokes fit into rock history, why they captured such attention, and what their latest releases indicate about the future of music. He and Chris also discuss cigarettes, the return of Oasis, and Wisconsin sports culture.
Show Notes:
Time Stamps:
2:19 — Introduction to the Strokes (and how they’d “save rock”)
6:16 — Generational views on rock music
14:04 — The 5x5 Continuum and cultural transference
19:12 — The “cool” aesthetic and cigarettes
23:05 — The Midwestern view of a New York band
28:24 — Is This It, American version
35:44 — Changes in music criticism
40:48 — Reality Awaits: music in the digital age
48:43 — Technology, music, and the middle-class band
52:50 — The Oasis reunion: a participatory performance
57:06 — In praise of Wisconsin sports culture
Opening and closing music: Brendan Benson, “Spit It Out,” used with permission from the artist.
Produced by Keira Stenson.
Christopher J. Scalia