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. katyw
    Oct 28, 2003
    10
    THE STROKES IS ROCK !!
  2. 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!!
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. BrendenR
    Dec 16, 2003
    10
    This album kicks it man. better than the first. all the way.
  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.… Expand
  7. 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...
  8. Elliott
    Oct 28, 2003
    10
    Completely brilliant in the simplest, most unpretentious of ways. Like its predecessor.
  9. 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
  10. 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..
  11. SaraA.
    Jul 9, 2004
    10
    This is my best Cd I can Hear it all day
  12. Jaimy
    Jan 22, 2008
    10
    JUST GREAT!!!! I listened this album in side out!
  13. 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.
  14. 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...
  15. alexs
    Oct 20, 2003
    10
    you'd have to be knob not the appreciate crafty and instantly gratifying songwriting
  16. ShintoI
    Dec 19, 2003
    10
    This record is incredibly valuable. Its a cd containing a party. I listen to it incredibly loud in my car alone and driving and have a party in my car. I believe thats why the band made this record, and I can't think of ANY rock record in history that can do it better. "Is This It" was a great rock record, but this is an incredible party record and shows me that the band is becoming This record is incredibly valuable. Its a cd containing a party. I listen to it incredibly loud in my car alone and driving and have a party in my car. I believe thats why the band made this record, and I can't think of ANY rock record in history that can do it better. "Is This It" was a great rock record, but this is an incredible party record and shows me that the band is becoming more innovative and exciting as artists. "Reptilia" gets Television on the guitar sequences and "12:51", "Automatic Stop", and "The End Has No End" sound futuristic with the keyboard spaceship sounds. And, of course, "Meet Me in the Bathroom" and "B/Love/Hate" is pure rock shimmy that is undeniable. A must have rock record and party pill for those static times.… Expand
  17. JanisG
    Oct 22, 2003
    10
    Love it! The strokes kick ass!
  18. 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
  19. Elliott
    Oct 28, 2003
    10
    Completely brilliant in the simplest, most unpretentious of ways. Like its predecessor.
  20. 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...
  21. 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.
  22. iNTRAbUDDY
    Jun 27, 2004
    10
    This is an incredible album! I mean yeah, People have their own decisions about the album but I personally think that it's one of the best albums out this year! They did a good job with the lyrics because it's not taking you through all the crap people don't want to hear about, instead it gets right to the point and has a lot of effect and meaning on people. Hey they got This is an incredible album! I mean yeah, People have their own decisions about the album but I personally think that it's one of the best albums out this year! They did a good job with the lyrics because it's not taking you through all the crap people don't want to hear about, instead it gets right to the point and has a lot of effect and meaning on people. Hey they got you to listen to the album or at least some of the songs and thats basically all they want. Is for you guys to hear the music.… Expand
  23. SuseB
    Jul 6, 2004
    10
    where have the strokes been all these years!!??? thats what i want to know! I dont know how i have been able to live without their music. The have the best sound- not to mention looks ( girls have gotta love Fab) the music is quick and catchy! i love them lovers of the strokes- tell your friends stop them from listening to bloody britney spears and put a good tune in their head! thats all where have the strokes been all these years!!??? thats what i want to know! I dont know how i have been able to live without their music. The have the best sound- not to mention looks ( girls have gotta love Fab) the music is quick and catchy! i love them lovers of the strokes- tell your friends stop them from listening to bloody britney spears and put a good tune in their head! thats all i ask of you!… Expand
  24. JayB
    Nov 8, 2005
    10
    damn good.
  25. ignaciog
    Oct 26, 2005
    10
    amazing!
  26. KetitaQ
    Feb 24, 2005
    10
    This is an amazing album! The sound of The Strokes is so unique and its like you play the cd and you cant stop listening to it, at least for me. Its addicting... cant get enough of it!
  27. ZEROMEgster
    Feb 8, 2005
    10
    amazing album
  28. TawneeW
    May 10, 2005
    10
    I love the strokes and I really love both their Albums and I cant wait til the next one!!!!!
  29. JerichoC
    Sep 30, 2005
    10
    honestly, you guys seem to think too hard. The strokes' kind of music isn't the arpeggiated sort that unearth, childrne of bodom and celtic frost have. they're a different sort of music so open your friggin' eyes to that! furthermore, their songs may become trite but to some people, it hasn't happened yet. Their albums are as much works of art as the cover of Room honestly, you guys seem to think too hard. The strokes' kind of music isn't the arpeggiated sort that unearth, childrne of bodom and celtic frost have. they're a different sort of music so open your friggin' eyes to that! furthermore, their songs may become trite but to some people, it hasn't happened yet. Their albums are as much works of art as the cover of Room on Fire. Julian Casablancas' singing is what truly separates them amongst the current post-punk crowd...have you heard U2 or Bloc Party sing through a megaphone? no that's because they have something [The Strokes] call "originality."… Expand
  30. GiacomoP
    Feb 15, 2007
    10
    another great album.Amazing!
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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
See all critic reviews »