The Strokes released their debut album , '' Is This It , '' in the US in October 2001 . The album was produced by Gordon Raphael , as was their follow-up album '' Room On Fire '' . RCA delayed the North American ( US ) release over concerns with the album 's cover and lyrics . The UK-released cover features a black-and-white photo of a gloved hand on a woman 's naked backside , shown in semi-profile ( photographer Colin Lane 's then-girlfriend , ) while the North American version replaced it with a photo of particle collisions in the Big European Bubble Chamber . RCA replaced the track " New York City Cops " with " When It Started " , as the former featured potentially inflammatory lyrics in the wake of the September 11 attacks . The track " New York City Cops " — featuring the refrain , " New York City Cops , they ai n't too smart " — was listed as No. 12 on '' New York '' magazine 's " Ultimate New York Playlist " on March 1 , 2010 . Despite its delayed release ( and the potential controversy ) , '' Is This It '' received critical acclaim — among other accolades , four stars from '' Rolling Stone '' , and a 9.1 from Pitchfork Media . The album made many critic 's top-ten lists , was named the best album of the year by '' Entertainment Weekly '' and '' Time '' , and ( in an article previewing summer concerts ) '' NME '' urged readers to attend the Strokes ’ shows — as they were touring some of the " best pop songs ever " . While critics noted the influence of CBGB stalwarts Television , Casablancas and bandmates said they had never heard the band , instead citing the Velvet Underground as a reference point
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
The Strokes