The Strokes - Room on Fire

The Strokes
Room On Fire
RCA Records
Grade: A-

Naturally, as this is one of the most anticipated releases of late 2003, critics, fans and everyone else waited with baited breath for the sophomore releases from the Strokes. Room On Fire has already been named by some as Is This It - Part 2 for its sound likeness to their debut. Although in many respects that designation is true, it is not such a bad thing to have given that Is This It absolutely ruled and helped usher in the rebirth of stripped-down garage rock. On the other hand Room On Fire comes across with tighter production value but without any drop off in sheer rawness from this NYC fivesome. An infinitesimal amount of ink and space has been devoted to exposing members of the Strokes' oddities - particularly lead singer Julian Casablancas (see, e.g., recent issues of Rolling Stone). Yet, what makes them unique outside of the rock, makes them unique when they are rocking. It is finally nice to see the Strokes in the news about something rock-orientated then just being in the social tabloids.

Room On Fire kicks off on "What Ever Happened?" with familiar guitar buildup to Casablancas' distinctive crooning. More importantly, the straight strumming and simple-yet- catchy guitar solos sets the foundation for the rest of the record and brings you back to the world of the Strokes. This is followed up "Reptilia" with bass serving as the intro to Casablancas' lazy vocals exploding on the chorus. The chorus to "Automatic Stop"'s guitars sound like that classic music piece about fall and leaves or some kind of shit like that. Once you hear it you know what I'm talking about. The next track "12:51" is the first single off the record and with good reason - it is reassuring the best song on the record is being targeted as the first single by the label. The song hardly has an off moment and the use of minimal electronics to accent the main riff and match the vocals - along with gently hand clapping - is genius. These first four songs certainly are the best on the record. Though not to be outdone, special attention should also be given to "Meet Me in the Bathroom," "The End Has No End," "You Talk Way Too Much" and the finale "I Can't Win." Clearly, the Strokes prove with this sophomore breakthrough that they are not a one trick pony or a here-today-gone-tomorrow sensations. The true test for the Strokes is to survive the next year's media frenzy and knock out another sensational record a couple of years from now.