10 Amazing Classic Rock Inspired Albums From The 21st Century

10. Is This It - The Strokes

After the nu metal scene dominated the back half of the 90's, the dour notes were getting way too tedious for a lot of rock fans. What the rock world really needed was something with a bit more swagger in its step, which five kids from the streets of New York were happy to give.

The Strokes' debut album Is This It is a defining moment in the 2000's rock scene, but the sound feels oddly familiar for some reason. The whole record feels like a callback to the 70's era of hard rock, where everything was more raucous and to the point. It has a brilliant mix of pop smarts while also featuring just the slightest tinges of art rock and punk in their presentation. Songs like "Last Nite" and "The Modern Age" are what happens if the Velvet Underground, Ramones, and Cheap Trick all had an obnoxiously loud child together.

With rock getting more and more stale with grand concepts and depressing lyrics, this record was a straight shot of adrenaline that detailed what life was like on the New York club scene. It may not have been trying to impress anyone, but Is This It not only made for a great throwback, but also inspired future rockstars like the Arctic Monkeys in the process.