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Room On Fire
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Room On Fire Image
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 330 Ratings

  • Summary: This eagerly-awaited second LP for the heralded/hyped New York five-piece was produced by Gordon Raphael (who also produced their debut 'Is This It?') after aborted sessions working with Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich.

Top Track

Reptilia
He seemed impressed by the way you came in "Tell us a story, I know you're not boring" I was afraid that you would not insist "You sound so sleepy,... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 31
  3. Negative: 1 out of 31
  1. Q Magazine
    100
    Pretty much everything a second album needs to be, it's like Is This It but more emotional, more colourful, slightly better. [Nov 2003, p.102]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Alternative Press
    90
    Better than its predecessor. [Dec 2003, p.150]
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  3. New Musical Express (NME)
    90
    ‘Room On Fire’ is a refining and tinkering with The Strokes sound, a carefully calibrated attempt not to fuck up too early in the face of untold temptations. The results are still sleek, sexy and thrilling, with a tantalising promise of even better to come.
  4. Village Voice
    80
    Great, better even than the last.
  5. ShakingThrough.net
    76
    Room on Fire is the sound of a tighter, more focused band.
  6. Mojo
    70
    The Strokes come across as a world-sized band that's tethering itself.... Nonetheless, this record is good. [Nov 2003, p.124]
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  7. Playlouder
    20
    There's little of the pop sparkle that shone through the likes of 'The Modern Age' and 'Last Nite' even when - as with 'You Talk Way Too Much' - they're rewriting old material, and Julian's vocals are, to be blunt, awful, sounding uncomfortable to record and rather complacently nasal.

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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 107 out of 127
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 127
  3. Negative: 10 out of 127
  1. 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 is7 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.… Expand
  2. 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..
  4. 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 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.… Expand
  5. ZeeshaanB
    Nov 17, 2003
    9
    This album is excellent. The Strokes really know how to create good indie rock. It is catchy and fun.
  6. FlorisDelRey
    Jan 9, 2022
    9
    very good album, very cohesive but still a big difference between songs. overall a very good album!
  7. 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 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.… Expand
  8. jd
    Oct 25, 2003
    0
    Any hyped-up flash in the pan.

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Awards & Rankings

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