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. J.Day
    Oct 25, 2003
    10
    DO NOT JUDGE THIS DISC AFTER ONE LISTEN! Since your probably already a fan alot will sound familiar. But the by the third time you clearly see the differences between the Is This It and Room on Fire. This is every bit as good as Is This It. They bring more musical ideas to the table without messing with their style. This disc is amazing. Dont fool yourselves! Just buy it!
  2. jd
    Oct 25, 2003
    0
    Any hyped-up flash in the pan.
  3. 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...
  4. JeffreyL
    Oct 24, 2003
    9
    This sophmore effort can be the same and different at the same time from the first release. It has the same ingredients, but it is flanked by different, denser combinations of these ingredients. Only 3 songs are retreads, the rest are a significant progression in their sound. I listen to it over and over and over.....
  5. anthonyg
    Oct 24, 2003
    10
    I actually went to school (phoenix NYC ) with julian and never knew he was so talented. like the last album this album is amazingly chill. the most down to earth music i have heard in a long time. you can hang out or dance to this music ... reptilia is by far the best song on this c.d....very catchy tune. not saying that its the only one, just my personal favorite... this c.d. deserves a I actually went to school (phoenix NYC ) with julian and never knew he was so talented. like the last album this album is amazingly chill. the most down to earth music i have heard in a long time. you can hang out or dance to this music ... reptilia is by far the best song on this c.d....very catchy tune. not saying that its the only one, just my personal favorite... this c.d. deserves a 10 compared to all these new artists out there who suck... like a disease of bad pop and even hip-hop is going around. get your strokes "room on fire" vaccination on the 28th. if i would have talked to him in school, i wouldn't have to wait till then :)… Expand
  6. 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.… Collapse
  7. StevieW
    Oct 24, 2003
    10
    I have to echo most of the other opinions on this album. I couldn't see how they could possibly usurp 'Is this it', but somehow they have, this record has even more energy, sonic power and pure joy emanating from it than their debut! Some of the negative reviews i've read about this astound me, attention-seeking backlash that's all. The strokes make joyous music I have to echo most of the other opinions on this album. I couldn't see how they could possibly usurp 'Is this it', but somehow they have, this record has even more energy, sonic power and pure joy emanating from it than their debut! Some of the negative reviews i've read about this astound me, attention-seeking backlash that's all. The strokes make joyous music for our generation, and that includes just about anyone reading this, and they manage to remain cool as... in the process. Absolute sonic nectar.… Expand
  8. Adam
    Oct 22, 2003
    4
    If i ever meet Julian again, i'll let him know how he helped both create and destroy musical revolutio the period of three years.
  9. JanisG
    Oct 22, 2003
    10
    Love it! The strokes kick ass!
  10. AndrewS
    Oct 21, 2003
    9
    I think this album is awsome, but i hate how the critics are saying that is sounds the same as the first. Well for their information THATS WHAT WE WANT more of the i dont care music. Good work Strokes and fuck you critics
  11. alexs
    Oct 20, 2003
    10
    you'd have to be knob not the appreciate crafty and instantly gratifying songwriting
  12. AdamX
    Oct 20, 2003
    1
    awful, really... they simply haven't gone anywhere with their sound! the songs sound like poor rehashes, and theres very little in the way of actual tunes (barring the quite good "Whatever Happened?"). Overall i'm sorely disappointed, but not overly surprised...
  13. joshg
    Oct 15, 2003
    9
    Word up clih
  14. 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!!
  15. RobbyD
    Oct 14, 2003
    8
    First of all, let me just say that I have Room On Fire in my stereo right now. The real deal. I don't write reviews of downloads and, I certainly never rate an album until its in my hands. The point is that this is not hype. If you enjoyed the first Strokes record, you will most certainly like Room On Fire. "What Ever Happend" and "Reptilia" are my personal favorites this time First of all, let me just say that I have Room On Fire in my stereo right now. The real deal. I don't write reviews of downloads and, I certainly never rate an album until its in my hands. The point is that this is not hype. If you enjoyed the first Strokes record, you will most certainly like Room On Fire. "What Ever Happend" and "Reptilia" are my personal favorites this time around. Once again, every song is fantastic. I've never had to press the skip button with The Strokes playing. There is one problem though. Probably the best criticism a band can get... Room On Fire is too short! Put their two LPs together and you've got a 10. But it's hard for me to say that Room On Fire is worth it's full price tag because it's over before you know it and leaves you wanting so much more...… Expand
  16. 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.
  17. HockeyT
    Oct 13, 2003
    8
    An outstanding listen throughout. You gotta love the meshed guitars and Hammond's mean yet beautiful solos. My only beef is the amount of time it took to get this new material produced considering that lyrically, conceptually, and sound wise there really isn't anything different between this and the first album. If they are going to be a single faceted band fine, but at least An outstanding listen throughout. You gotta love the meshed guitars and Hammond's mean yet beautiful solos. My only beef is the amount of time it took to get this new material produced considering that lyrically, conceptually, and sound wise there really isn't anything different between this and the first album. If they are going to be a single faceted band fine, but at least come out with more than 11 songs every three years. Im not sure if they lack the creativity of many great bands of the past, or just dont feel the need to come up with new stuff. Regardless, the music kicks more ass than anything getting publicity this side of MTV.… Expand
  18. 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...
  19. 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
  20. f
    Oct 11, 2003
    10
    Hard as it is to believe, there is not a bad track at all on the record. Somehow, this album is better than the first. This is (deep breath) the best album of the year.
  21. FedericoA
    Oct 11, 2003
    10
    it just makes me feel like...dancing???...i can't stop my feet but still feel all of the sadness. This album is like the pathetic wasted up guy dancin' in the disco floor when everybody has already left but he still looks charmy and irresistible.
  22. [Anonymous]
    Oct 11, 2003
    5
    The sounds hasn't changed....only flaw is that mostly every song on the album is similar..they could have changed it up a bit
  23. WillieS
    Oct 5, 2003
    10
    They made a great second album. If they keep this up, who knows how great they will become, or how they will affect the music world. A stone cold classic, through and through.
  24. KiranH
    Oct 3, 2003
    10
    I don't give 10s lightly, but Is This It remains one of my favourite CDs of all time, and, believe it or not, this one is better. Spectacular. I can't stop listening to "Automatic Stop", "What Ever Happened?" and "Under Control" specifically, but the whole thing is a masterpiece. If only it were longer...
  25. 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
  26. PanchoV
    Oct 2, 2003
    9
    Another quality release, go download it, then buy it
  27. 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.
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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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