#21. The Strokes – The Modern Age

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Artwork by Adam Sarpalius

As 2009, and the decade come to a close, PMA will be looking back at our favorite songs of the last ten years. We will update a list with 75 empty slots until we reach that song that changed everything. You can keep track of this list by keeping an eye on this page. We make these lists in hopes that you guys will chime in the comments and share your favorite musical moments of the noughties.

After this wonderful debut single, The Strokes were lifted to global rock icon and savior-status, in a blink of an eye. The press surrounding Julian Casablancas and the guys was astounding, and unparalleled, even in this increasingly cynical and blog-happy age (or The Modern Age as the Strokes would call it). With a band lauded for its sense of style almost as much as its musical merits, it’s almost hard to imagine that the music in question is actually worth all the fuss.

Fortunately, The Strokes and every single off their debut album, Is This It? was an infallible force of genius. “The Modern Age” harbored everything great about New York’s rich musical heritage and delivered it in an enjoyable 3-minute salute to Velvet Underground, the Wrens, the Stooges, Talking Heads and the future of indie rock.

#22. Jay-Z & The Beatles – 99 Problems (Danger Mouse)
#23. Fleet Foxes – White Winter Hymnal
#24. The Knife – Heartbeats
#25. Lil Wayne – A Milli
#75-26: Various

by Luis Tovar on December 6, 2009 ‡ 0 reactions