The UK press fell over themselves with all kinds of slobbery superlatives for this New York quintet, and the US writers quickly followed suit.  I can see why; they sound like the Velvet Underground (literally; this record is ridiculously lo-fi), a band all critics are required to adore, and they also have elements of the Pixies and Replacements, both critical darlings.  I’ve never been a Lou Reed fan, but if he could sing like Strokes frontman Julian Casablancas, I’d change my tune in a hurry.  There’s something about this record, its sloppiness, its energy, its un-ironic swagger, that I cannot resist.  Is This It is a different kind of retro; this isn’t a band cribbing from the past so much as one trying to resurrect what was so great about CBGB’s in the ‘70s.  And their songwriting skills more than make up for their current lack of musicianship.  Songs always trump skill (ask the B-52’s), and these guys have the tunes in spades.  Here’s to hoping the hype doesn’t kill you, boys.