It would be nearly impossible for The Strokes' second album to make the sort of splash that Is This It made when it came out if only because the music environment is so much different than it was 2 or so years ago. Is This It came at a time when very little good rock music was being made and so it was easy for The Strokes' sound to stand out among the other crap (read: Britney Spears). Now the airways are playing bands like The White Stripes and Jet and Interpol.

On their second album, the Strokes basically revisit Is This It. I have to admit that on first listen, I hated it because I felt like when songs from both album were matched head to head that Is This It was far better. However upon further listening, I'm beginning to warm up to Room on Fire.

The lyrics have the same bluntness as the first one. With lines like: "You talk way too much" or "Meet me in the bathroom/ that's what she said/I don't mind/It's true", how can you not love Julian Casablancas? Musically, the songs which most stand out are the ones which stray out of the typical Strokes sound - "12:51" with its synthpop keyboard in the background and handclaps or the slow burning of "Under Control".

All in all, Room on Fire is a good listen. If this album had been The Strokes' first album, then rock critics might be going gaga over it like they did when Is This It came out. But no one likes things as much the second time around (except when I give it 2x to your mama!). Still I give this healthy listen, an 8.

Hitch_n_Ditch
Eight