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. MackB
    Dec 27, 2005
    2
    Say it ain't so. I really loved 'Is This It?' - but I certainly didn't consider them the saviors of rock 'n roll. Anyone with an ounce of music knowledge knows that their sound is decidedly NOT unique. But that was okay for their debut - it was 1 track on repeat 11 times, but that one track was extremely catchy and easy to enjoy. It wasn't challenging or Say it ain't so. I really loved 'Is This It?' - but I certainly didn't consider them the saviors of rock 'n roll. Anyone with an ounce of music knowledge knows that their sound is decidedly NOT unique. But that was okay for their debut - it was 1 track on repeat 11 times, but that one track was extremely catchy and easy to enjoy. It wasn't challenging or original, but it didn't need to be, it was just insanely enjoyable. After the initial thrill of the song(s) wore off, however, I was left with the terrible feeling that this band shouldn't record another record - because it was obvious that they were a one-trick pony. Or is it Phony? I must say, I listened to 'Is This It?' before I read about the hype, or the faux lifestyle represented by the members...and those two elements certainly helped ruin the fun for me. It might as well be me "singing" (Julian isn't really singing) these ditties about seedy, trashy NY life. That would be just as genuine. So what's wrong with 'Room on Fire'? Well, it took these faux musicians 2 years to release the SAME ALBUM. Had this been a debut, 2 years ago, then it would make a fine replacement for 'Is This It?'. As a second album, it fails to achieve even sophomore slump status. This is worse - it's a note for note, verbatim copy. And all this took 2 years plus a scrapped session with Nigel Godrich? I could have made 'Room On Fire' the day after I heard their debut. They could have made a lasting impression on pop-rock had they just stopped with one album. Just how long can they keep up the facade that they're actually musicians anyway? What's worse is that there are legions of mindless souls out there willing to gobble up this unimaginative rehash - and then say that it is the "best thing ever". The Strokes should have just toured for life from their first album - at least then the facade would still be intact.… Expand
  2. zgodula
    Mar 7, 2019
    10
    whatever happened 100
    under control 100
    meet me in the bathroom 98
    reptilia 96
    you talk way too much 95
    the end has no end 95
    automatic stop 95
    12:51 94
    i can't win 88
    the way it is 83
    between love & hate 80
  3. Vampire25
    Feb 11, 2011
    7
    The Strokes debut album Is This It redefined garage punk rock. But there second album Room On Fire was a slight disappointment. The songs aren't as catchy and they're not as vibrant as the tracks on their first album. But still nevertheless a good album. It had some really strong tracks and some really not so strong tracks. All In All, A little bit of a disappointment but still a good album. B
  4. highwiredays
    Mar 30, 2011
    10
    This was my first Strokes Album, I got it after hearing 1251; this album is just badass and you feel like a badass pumping it. I know it is NYC but it is too good not to like.
  5. Watermelon789
    Jun 1, 2011
    9
    Room on Fire is great , i liked the musics from the band. One of my favorite on it is Reptillia, it has a great rhythm. Otherwise is cool and appealing.
  6. SoupRocker
    Jun 29, 2011
    10
    The album is an amazing follow-up to their groundbreaking album Is This It, and fully lives up to the standard set up by their first album. Julian Casablancas' voice comes out in songs like "Automatic Stop" and blows other singers out of the water.
  7. JawsPapi87
    Aug 31, 2011
    9
    This album carried right on with the genius of Is This It with a few welcome changes. Every track is at least solid with one huge stand-out being What Ever Happened
  8. Ricko
    May 25, 2012
    8
    The pressure was always going to be on with the follow up to their brilliant debut Is This It. Room on Fire isn't a complete triumph but it wasn't a bad effort either. It very much contiues where Is This It left off, similar songs, similar themes just not quite as brilliant. By far and away their 2nd best album. They seemed to run out of steam a bit after this one.
  9. RenegadeNorman
    Nov 17, 2011
    9
    A great follow up to Is This It. In my humble opinion, Is This It is better than Room on Fire. Highlights of the album include "Reptilia", "Automatic Stop", "12:51", "Between Love & Hate", "Under Control", "The End Has No End", and "I Can't Win".
  10. imthenoob
    Apr 15, 2020
    10
    I don't understand the hate for this album at all. My guess is that people expected another rehash of their first album but got disappointed that the band actually evolved since then. Which is kind of ironic because the lyrics mostly deal with these unrealistic expectations thrown upon the band after just a single album.
  11. darkfishreviews
    Jan 20, 2013
    10
    9.5/10, but I'm being generous considering this just might be the best band of the past 20 years. It's been described as being an "identical twin" to Is This It, but come on - that's bull. Where would "Reptilia", or "12:51", or "Under Control" fit in with their debut? Most of the songs bear a resemblance, of course; after all, this is a rock band writing rock songs, not some experimental9.5/10, but I'm being generous considering this just might be the best band of the past 20 years. It's been described as being an "identical twin" to Is This It, but come on - that's bull. Where would "Reptilia", or "12:51", or "Under Control" fit in with their debut? Most of the songs bear a resemblance, of course; after all, this is a rock band writing rock songs, not some experimental outfit at liberty to implement Siberian moaning and have critics go ga-ga over it. But really, the Strokes have matured as songwriters, and it shows. Both in musicianship and production, the band has really taken a leap forward. While the rawness and straight-up-rock aspect of Is This It was its polarizing force and claim to fame, Room on Fire refines that signature Strokes sound and also dips its feet in - could it be? - SOUL (yes, you read that correctly. Listen to "Between Love and Hate" and "Under Control" to see for yourself), as well as a more sad but equally melodic sound ("Automatic Stop", "The End Has No End"). Lead guitarist Nick Valensi pumps out some insane solos and lead parts ("Reptilia", etc.) that adds a whole new dynamic to the album, and Casablancas' vocals accompany this intensity but still retain their detachment. "Meet Me in the Bathroom" and "I Can't Win" are really the only songs that feel like they could truly belong to Is This It, but 2/11 ain't bad - especially when that album was one of the best debuts of the past 10 years. The only blunder on Room on Fire is "The Way It Is", in which mediocre songwriting is trying to be counteracted with pure volume. But one song doesn't really take much away from this experience; Room on Fire is an incredible follow-up to arguably the best debut of the 2000s, and is overlooked relative to its greatness more than any other album I've heard. Come on, the NYC "Saviors of Rock" deserve more than that.… Expand
  12. Pablojr921
    Feb 28, 2013
    8
    Pretty much the same of 'Is This It' with more things to say, good but no so original.
    Some might say that is a copy of the first record, in matters of style, maybe, but its good as the first one.
  13. colin8166
    Aug 13, 2013
    10
    I have never liked a album this much. Every album they make is great, but with this one they completely blew it out of the water. I'ts definitely my favorite album.
  14. ToffeeBoy
    Mar 25, 2015
    9
    Great album, in my opinion this is as good as 'Is this it', has some of the most memorable strokes songs to date "What Ever Happened?" "12:15" & "The End Has No End" are all great songs! the killer hit "Reptilia" has the sort of rift that only can be admired, one of my favorite albums
  15. EmmeKira
    May 15, 2015
    8
    An amazing second album for an amazing band of the 2000s. The only problem it really has is that it really suffers for being the "second LP". It's way too similar to Is This It, even though it has some slight differences: it's more moody, more tragic and at times heavier than Is This It. Probably the best way too describe it is to simply say that it perfectly reflects its title.. It's likeAn amazing second album for an amazing band of the 2000s. The only problem it really has is that it really suffers for being the "second LP". It's way too similar to Is This It, even though it has some slight differences: it's more moody, more tragic and at times heavier than Is This It. Probably the best way too describe it is to simply say that it perfectly reflects its title.. It's like The Strokes are singing Is This It, but in a Room on Fire, where everything is in pure chaos.… Expand
  16. BiscuitBuff
    Sep 13, 2017
    9
    "Room on Fire" continues with the same sound as last album, and it does it well. Room on Fire may be called a "Is This It" twin but Julian doesn't make it boring. There are some very special moments on this album, The Strokes were on fire, Julian was on fire. The Nostalgia continues with Room On Fire, and the special strokes feeling doesn't leave. No one else but the strokes can make a"Room on Fire" continues with the same sound as last album, and it does it well. Room on Fire may be called a "Is This It" twin but Julian doesn't make it boring. There are some very special moments on this album, The Strokes were on fire, Julian was on fire. The Nostalgia continues with Room On Fire, and the special strokes feeling doesn't leave. No one else but the strokes can make a record special in this certain way.

    P.S Under Control is one the best songs of The Strokes career, and 2003.    … Expand
  17. mellonhead
    Oct 2, 2019
    8
    Overall a very good album, with some of The Strokes' best work [See: Reptilia, The End Had No End]. It's one of the most consistent in quality in their discography, second only to Is This It. Room on Fire doesn't really have any bad songs, but a handful stand out as being just decent or pretty good - there aren't nearly as many great songs as their debut. The songs are a littleOverall a very good album, with some of The Strokes' best work [See: Reptilia, The End Had No End]. It's one of the most consistent in quality in their discography, second only to Is This It. Room on Fire doesn't really have any bad songs, but a handful stand out as being just decent or pretty good - there aren't nearly as many great songs as their debut. The songs are a little overproduced at times and sometimes they try too hard to be catchy, but this is one that grew on me and isn't an Is This It rehash. It's even preferable to Is This It on some days, but less down-to-earth and somehow less accessible than Is This It, even though it tries much harder to be commercially accessible. Perhaps that's the biggest complaint I can make about this album - it tries too hard, but not so hard that they completely lose sight of who they are. They try to be mature, but it doesn't always make sense. This album went through one cycle with Radiohead's Neil Godrich, before the band though it was too emo and dumped those sessions. Apparently they rushed to finish the album a few weeks faster than they wanted and in the end, they felt there was some missed potential. Both prospects - a Neil Godrich produced album and a few more weeks - are intriguing and will always be question marks, but as it stands, this album is very solid and the last of the laid back teenager Strokes. It's the bridge between Is This It and First Impressions of Earth where they transition into adults, but they're not depressed yet.

    GRADE: B+/A-
    FAVORITE TRACKS: What Ever Happened?, Reptilia, 12:51, Meet Me In the Bathroom, Under Control, The End Has No End, I Can't Win
    LEAST FAVORITE TRACKS: The Way It Is    … Expand
  18. darklatinbruh
    Jun 9, 2019
    8
    Sophomore record by the NY rock band The Strokes. Its 11 songs are mostly perfect, but it was met with mixed reviews because of it was way too similar with is this it, but, honestly, who gives an actual ****

    85/100
  19. drongodan
    Apr 1, 2020
    9
    Very good, followed a similar formula to their debut. Favourite tracks Between Love & Hate, I Cant Win
  20. davidpaulmesa
    Apr 6, 2020
    10
    The Strokes are a band that I didn't get into until 2010. Room on Fire was the first album I listened to, and though I see it as my least favorite of their albums, I still can't find it in me to skip it whenever I listen to it.
  21. FlorisDelRey
    Jan 9, 2022
    9
    very good album, very cohesive but still a big difference between songs. overall a very good album!
  22. Chris182
    Apr 26, 2021
    5
    Room on Fire is one of the most overrated albums of the 2000s. There is not much here to come back to (besides a few good songs). The production is unbearably gritty and Julian's vocals are extremely bland and boring to listen to. Thank god the Regina Spektor song is only a bonus track because that is easily one of the worst songs for the 2000s.
    Best Songs: Reptilia, The End Has No End,    Room on Fire is one of the most overrated albums of the 2000s. There is not much here to come back to (besides a few good songs). The production is unbearably gritty and Julian's vocals are extremely bland and boring to listen to. Thank god the Regina Spektor song is only a bonus track because that is easily one of the worst songs for the 2000s.
    Best Songs: Reptilia, The End Has No End, Under Control, 12:51
    Worst Songs: I Can't Win, Automatic Stop, The Way it Is, Between Love & Hate    … Expand
  23. cheesybootyunhh
    May 30, 2021
    10
    its just as good as is this it **** you if you think im wrong its fantastic from meet me in the bathroom to there magnum opus reptillia and killer tunes like 12 51 and the end has no end arguebly there best song yes it does borrow from is this it but is just as good amazing hell yeah
  24. Mellowry
    Aug 12, 2021
    10
    Definitely one of my alltime favorite albums. It sounds much cleaner than the "garagy" Debut. Both are great albums, but I think that this is just slightly better.
  25. xqcTF
    Aug 12, 2022
    8
    After releasing "Is This It" two years prior, The Strokes had a lot to live up to. "Room On Fire", I believe, expands on the ideas shown in their debut, but with much better production. "12:51" offers a really soothing guitar harmonisation under the vocals that gives a really good vibe and is super catchy. "Under Control" has a very important drum fill that kicks off each chorus, creatingAfter releasing "Is This It" two years prior, The Strokes had a lot to live up to. "Room On Fire", I believe, expands on the ideas shown in their debut, but with much better production. "12:51" offers a really soothing guitar harmonisation under the vocals that gives a really good vibe and is super catchy. "Under Control" has a very important drum fill that kicks off each chorus, creating an amazing energy and bravado. The only negative thing I feel is that there are some tracks that aren't as good as the rest, but I still find myself enjoying.… Expand
  26. Franco853
    Aug 11, 2022
    9
    Excelente album el tercer mejor album de los strokes simplemente god
    Xdxdxd
  27. frightopia
    Mar 10, 2023
    7
    Didn't have any major standouts, but it was still an enjoyable listen! Really no skips
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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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