The album for me is a little of both; while I wouldn’t necessarily say it was innovative or expanded the musical genres it tried to emulate (nor does it create new ideas as their idols The Velvet Underground, Television or Ramones did), it’s still an excellently put together album from start to finish and a time capsule moment for the era it ultimately helped spearhead in the garage rock and post punk revivals
I think it's great for it's time? The early '00s were a slightly odd time for Rock, right? While Radiohead was skirting the edges of it and pushing into new territories, nu-metal, pop, and hip-hop/rap were really taking centerstage. To your point, it's not innovative but it feels like an extremely solid album in a genre that didn't have a ton to say. I found it super listenable front to back.
@Jangles think it’s a little of both, though I’d lean more as you’re suggesting as one of the better guitar rock albums of relevance in that time period. But as time has passed I don’t think artists since then have necessarily found influence from The Strokes per se but moreover the same artists that influenced The Strokes.
