Room On Fire
by The Strokes
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Oct 28, 2003
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 330 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 305 out of 330
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 330
  3. Negative: 11 out of 330

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  1. antonijames
    Apr 14, 2017
    9
    Room on Fire is an amazing sequel album. It continues with the raw energy and beautiful melodies and lyrics that Is This It had, but expands them with a bigger kick. It's a great sounding album with tons of powerful tunes.
  2. colin_jack
    Dec 17, 2011
    9
    Full of great tracks this is a really excellent album that hasn't really received the credit it deserves. If you haven't listened to it for a while give it another shot as there as some great tracks on it and very little filler.
  3. PanchoV
    Oct 2, 2003
    9
    Another quality release, go download it, then buy it
  4. MusicIsMyFriend
    Nov 5, 2010
    10
    7 years out and I'm going to write a review, just to bump this albums rating up. It's solid all the way through, Meet Me In The Bathroom is the only weak song, but the other 10 are all perfect in my mind. Just let some of them grow on you and you'll have this album as one of your new favourites.
  5. JuandeR
    Dec 10, 2003
    9
    Maybe it's the album of the year.
  6. Sid
    Nov 3, 2003
    9
    Bought album, listened to it... dissappointed (except for 3 tracks)... listened 3/4 times more loved it... Is quite different from first on closer inspection.
  7. JamesM
    Oct 27, 2003
    8
    Solid album. They've proved they can do it twice, albeit at the expense of progression/diversity as an outfit. Side Note: Reptilia is insane.
  8. katyw
    Oct 28, 2003
    10
    THE STROKES IS ROCK !!
  9. staceyt
    Jul 5, 2004
    10
    I like this cd alot i got it 3 days ago and im already hooked, maybe it is slightly inferior to the first but its still worth a listen definately. The stand out songs for me are 'What ever happened', 'Under Control', 'The end has no end' and ofcourse 'Reptilia'. You should buy this cd!!
  10. AnnaW
    Mar 13, 2006
    10
    The Strokes are immensely enjoyable. And I am sick of hearing people complain about their parents having money. Would they be listened to more if their parents were poor? This Album was amazing. I loved Reptilia. Listen to the entire album before saying it is a copy of the first. ugh.
  11. Dr.Gonzo
    Oct 14, 2003
    10
    It's not as good as Is This It, but it's still the one of the best albums released so far this year.
  12. ConorC
    Oct 15, 2003
    9
    Excellent! I would have give it a 10 but i wouldn't even give anything 10 so 9 will have to do. anyway its an excellent album. it grew on me dead quick and i can't stop listen to "whatever happened". i don't think its as good as 1st album but its still great. best album out at the moment by far!!
  13. BrendenR
    Dec 16, 2003
    10
    This album kicks it man. better than the first. all the way.
  14. PAMAN
    Oct 24, 2003
    10
    If perfect really exisited in music form , this would be it! It's funny to read some of the reviews which have crucified the album-they loved "Is This It?", but hate "Room On Fire". I think that's a serious case of backlashing for the sake of it. The new album has all the energy, melody, lazy vocals, and sinicism of the first with upgrades, and yet they knock it. Alright, you If perfect really exisited in music form , this would be it! It's funny to read some of the reviews which have crucified the album-they loved "Is This It?", but hate "Room On Fire". I think that's a serious case of backlashing for the sake of it. The new album has all the energy, melody, lazy vocals, and sinicism of the first with upgrades, and yet they knock it. Alright, you listen with your critic's mind and the rest of us will listen with our souls. I think it's a work of effortless genius.… Expand
  15. stk
    Oct 25, 2003
    10
    even if it ends like an "oasis thing...!",we can proudly say that finally the 00s have their own beatles...hard times 4 music with all these chart-s***s, but that makes it more precious...the room is on fire n i m hapilly burning...
  16. BenJ
    Oct 27, 2003
    8
    I was actually pretty unimpressed on the first few spins - the vocals were too low and the mix muddy, but eventually those melodies and hooks poked through! It's a great album - not immediate, but time pays off!
  17. Elliott
    Oct 28, 2003
    10
    Completely brilliant in the simplest, most unpretentious of ways. Like its predecessor.
  18. RyanG
    Oct 3, 2003
    10
    They weren't supposed to make an album better than "Is This It." Just listen though, it floored me, they did! Sure, it sounds like the Strokes still...with skittering drums, jangly guitars, quick riffs, ace three note solos, and melodies upon melodies. The sound is much more full somehow and it's the first thing you'll notice. Song writing has improved, so has Julian's They weren't supposed to make an album better than "Is This It." Just listen though, it floored me, they did! Sure, it sounds like the Strokes still...with skittering drums, jangly guitars, quick riffs, ace three note solos, and melodies upon melodies. The sound is much more full somehow and it's the first thing you'll notice. Song writing has improved, so has Julian's vocals. There is more guitar interplay from Nick and Albert, and Fab is a human drum machine. They decided to open up a few doors for this one, allowing elbow room to sketch plans for their future. This is another classic, and it's scary! They WERE NOT supposed to make another album this good. Yet, they did. … Expand
  19. XFrOmChaosX
    Jan 13, 2004
    10
    This Album is amazing........i got it two weeks ago and i still havent taken it out of my cd player..
  20. JeremyG
    Jan 4, 2004
    8
    Several songs on this album are flat out strong all around. The others seem to rely too heavily on short melodic segments to buoy otherwise weak songs. They got a bit complacent here, and this album at times lacks the fire and cockiness of their debut. But on talent alone, they get away with it more often than not.
  21. SaraA.
    Jul 9, 2004
    10
    This is my best Cd I can Hear it all day
  22. bryanl
    Apr 6, 2006
    9
    this is definitely my favourite album.. my absolute favourite band
  23. ElliotM
    Jun 1, 2006
    9
    The nigh on perfect indie-rock sound of Is This It returns, only now with a little more feeling. Tracks such as 12:51 and Under Control touch nerves that their debut, for all its brilliance, never could have. Lyrically it's still not as good as it could be, but musically it remains as tight and tuneful as ever. Quite brilliant stuff.
  24. Oligami
    May 20, 2007
    9
    This is pop. And pop doesn't get much better than this without being totally embarrassing. It's less potent than the debut, and in order to compensate that it dips slightly into reggae and soul (which turns out to be great!).
  25. Jaimy
    Jan 22, 2008
    10
    JUST GREAT!!!! I listened this album in side out!
  26. It'sme.
    Nov 13, 2003
    7
    Pretty good album that takes at least 5 good listens before you "get" it. Don't hate them because critics praise them. If you're gonna hate them, hate them because you don't like their music. Not many bands make a sophomore album as good as this.
  27. alw
    Oct 12, 2003
    8
    Best song are : What Ever Happened?, Automatic Stop, 12:51, Under Control, The End Has No End. The other songs are alright but now as good the first 5 mentioned
  28. RaoulD
    Oct 1, 2003
    10
    This is an excellent album. Their sound is fully realized. Is This It? only hinted at their potential. I wish that people would stop slamming them and saying that they are rip-offs when clearly, they are probably the best band in the world right now.
  29. nickW
    Nov 3, 2003
    8
    Its a grower-first few listens, hated it-then like all 'good' albums just clicked.
  30. ShawnH
    Oct 13, 2003
    10
    can't... stop... listening... I don't think I've heard a song better than Reptilia in a while - that guitar break - it gives me goose bumps and makes me want to become an air-guitar meathead at the same time...
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Awards & Rankings

9
#9 Most Discussed Album of 2003
20
#20 Most Shared Album of 2003

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 31
  3. Negative: 1 out of 31
  1. Prefix Magazine
    Jun 6, 2013
    80
    [Casablancas] builds atmosphere out of evocative lyrics and emotional scenery, and he does it without leaning on linear narrative or songs with singular interpretations.
    Read full review
  2. Rolling Stone
    80
    In the face of hysterical expectation, the Strokes have resisted the temptation to hit the brakes, grow up and screw around with a sound that doesn't need fixing -- yet.
    Read full review
  3. Nude As The News
    90
    The album is arguably better than the group's much-heralded debut, if by "better" we just mean more sonically impressive overall.
    Read full review
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