Objects: Changing Records

I don't know if it was because I heard that The Strokes have a new album coming out soon. Or if it was because the temperature outside was in the 60s, the windows were all open in the house, and I felt like dancing. But I had the urge to pull out The Strokes album "Is This It?" It had been so long since I had listened to this album.

I loved this album when it came out. I had previously heard the songs on their "The Modern Age" EP and really liked them, and so when I saw my local record store had the UK release of "Is This It?" (which came out before the US release. The US album wasn't out yet), I had to get it. This was also during my big vinyl record phase (I love records and will always love records, but there was a time when I opted to purchase the record instead of the CD. Those days are no more. Actually, CD-buying days are pretty much no more, as well). Anyway, like I said, I loved this album. This album was so catchy and fun. Hearing it now, it reminds me of when I was a senior in high school. It particularly makes me think of this one drive that my friend Shannon and I took to Provo (correction: I think it was Lindon) for a show our band was playing. I remember us dancing along to the music in the car, with the windows open and the sun shining. I remember feeling carefree (the high school version of 'carefree' pretty much translates into having a license, a car to drive, and being able to drive around with friends. No parents! YES!).

 Soma by hconover

This album also brings up another discussion. Directly after 9/11 happened, things were...different. I guess that's the best word. Everyone was deeply affected by this tragedy, but it resulted in some crazy reactions ("freedom fries", anyone?). The music industry was one of those areas where you saw some crazy reactions. "Is This It?" was affected by such reactions. The U.S. version of "Is This It?" was released shortly after 9/11, in October 2001 (the UK version was released in August 2001). Aside from the fact that the U.S. album cover art had to be changed because the original picture was too racy, the song "New York City Cops" had to be removed. The chorus had the line "New York City cops, they ain't too smart." And you can't be saying that about 9/11 heroes, right?! So they removed that song and added a different one -- which is pretty ridiculous, if you think about it. There was a lot of unnecessary tip-toeing and oversensitivity directly after 9/11. Regardless, it feels neat to own the uncensored album that includes the original cover art and the original track list.

Speaking of 9/11 changes, it also reminds me of Jimmy Eat World. They released their album "Bleed American" in July 2001. After 9/11, they changed the album title to "Jimmy Eat World" (self-titled).  [I believe in 2008 they released a deluxe edition of the album and they went back to the original album title -- I guess enough time had passed since 9/11 that the title was no longer a sensitive issue]. As I purchased "Bleed American" when it first came out, I have the original, pre-9/11 title.