Room on Fire

Last updated

Room on Fire
Room on Fire cover.jpg
Studio album by
The Strokes
ReleasedOctober 28, 2003
Recorded2003
StudioTMF (New York City)
Genre
Length32:15
Label RCA
Producer Gordon Raphael
The Strokes chronology
Is This It
(2001)		Room on Fire
(2003)		 First Impressions of Earth
(2006)
Singles from Room on Fire
  1. "12:51"
    Released: November 4, 2003
  2. "Reptilia"
    Released: February 9, 2004
  3. "The End Has No End"
    Released: November 1, 2004

Room on Fire is the second studio album by American rock band the Strokes, released on October 21, 2003, through RCA Records. [4] Its title is derived from a lyric in the song "Reptilia". The album received positive reviews upon its release and reached number four on the US Billboard 200, where it went on to sell 597,000 units by October 2006 [5] , earning a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It also reached number two on the UK Albums Chart. Three singles were released from the album: "12:51", "Reptilia", and "The End Has No End".

Contents

Recording

Immediately after touring for their debut album Is This It , the Strokes returned to the studio. They hired Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich, but fired him when, according to the band, their work together proved "soulless". [6] Godrich said of the failed collaboration: "The problem there was that me and [singer Julian Casablancas] are just too similar, we're both control freaks. He wanted to do it his way, I wanted to do it my way, and obviously that's the point of me being there. And I'm saying 'Well, why am I here if you're not prepared to try and do it the way I want to do it?' We got on great, it was just one of those laughable things where it just doesn't work. I wanted them to change, and they didn't." [7]

Those sessions were ultimately scrapped and the band returned to their original producer, Gordon Raphael. The Strokes had exactly only three months of studio time to record the album. Guitarist Nick Valensi stated that "the album would've ended up a lot better if we'd had another couple of weeks." [8]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 77/100 [9]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [10]
Blender Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [11]
Entertainment Weekly B [12]
The Guardian Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [13]
NME 9/10 [14]
Pitchfork 8.0/10 [15]
9.2/10 (reappraisal) [16]
Q Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [17]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [18]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [19]
Spin A− [20]
Uncut Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [21]

Room On Fire received generally positive reviews from critics: on the review aggregating website Metacritic, it currently has a score of 77 out of 100 based on 31 reviews, which indicates "generally favorable reviews". [9] However, in general, reviewers found the album too similar to Is This It. [8] Rob Mitchum of Pitchfork gave the album an 8 out of 10, but stated that the band "have all but given birth to an identical twin." [15] A positive review from Rolling Stone said that "the Strokes have resisted the temptation to hit the brakes, grow up and screw around with a sound that doesn't need fixing — yet." The review also stated that "if you want comfort and clarity, you're definitely in the wrong room. This record was built for thrills and speed." [18] Dan Tallis of BBC Music gave it a favorable review and said, "Bands should think themselves lucky to achieve such heights just once in their careers. However, they've done all they could have done. They've made Is This It part two. It's more of the same plus extras. And I'm more than happy to settle for that." [22]

Ben Thompson of The Observer gave it all five stars and said, "This is a feeling that can be inspired only by people making the absolute most of an opportunity to communicate: cutting through all the rubbish that surrounds them to make a clear and memorable artistic statement. And that the Strokes should have managed to do such a thing at this stage in their careers, is - I think - an achievement of real significance." [23] Greg Milner of Spin gave it a score of eight out of ten and said that its "similarity to its predecessor ultimately bespeaks a purity of vision, not a dearth of new ideas." [20] Jenny Tatone of Neumu gave it a score of nine stars out of ten and said, "The Strokes don't make the most original sounding music you've ever heard, but they make something that is only the Strokes." [24] In his Consumer Guide, Robert Christgau gave the album a three-star honorable mention ( Five Pointed Star Solid.svg Five Pointed Star Solid.svg Five Pointed Star Solid.svg ) while picking out two songs from the album ("Between Love and Hate" and "What Ever Happened?") and stating simply, "Narcissism repeats itself." [25]

Not all reviews were positive, however. Raoul Hernandez of The Austin Chronicle gave the album a score of two stars out of five and stated that "even the half-hearted retreads... cashing in on the notoriously unwashed NYC quintet's debut can't muster a wink." [26] Iain Moffat of Playlouder gave the album only one star and said of the Strokes, "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." [27]

In 2013, Room On Fire was listed at number 360 on NME's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. In 2018, the BBC included it in their list of "the acclaimed albums that nobody listens to any more". [28]

Reappraisal

In 2021, Pitchfork included Room on Fire on its list of album review scores they "would change if they could", upgrading its score from 8.0 to 9.2 out of 10, though they stated this would not change the actual score. Lane Brown of Pitchfork praised it as a "different, better album with major improvements over its predecessor". Scoring a 0.1 bonus point more than Is This It, Room on Fire is commended in marking confident progress and "at least partially thwarting rock history's most inevitable backlash." [16]

Commercial performance

The album peaked at number four on the Billboard 200 in the US, and was later certified Gold by the RIAA in December 2003, [29] [30] and platinum certification for selling over one million units in June 2021. [31]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Julian Casablancas, with "Automatic Stop" co-written by Albert Hammond Jr. [32]

Room on Fire track listing
No.TitleLength
1."What Ever Happened?"2:49
2."Reptilia"3:35
3."Automatic Stop"3:21
4."12:51"2:33
5."You Talk Way Too Much"2:58
6."Between Love & Hate"3:10
7."Meet Me in the Bathroom"2:56
8."Under Control"3:02
9."The Way It Is"2:17
10."The End Has No End"3:00
11."I Can't Win"2:34

Personnel

The Strokes

Production

Design

Singles

Singles from Room on Fire
TitleInformation
"12:51"
"Reptilia"
  • Released: February 9, 2004
  • Chart positions:
    No. 17 (UK Singles Chart)
    No. 19 (US Modern Rock)
"The End Has No End"
  • Released: November 1, 2004
  • Chart positions:
    No. 27 (UK Singles Chart)
    No. 35 (US Modern Rock)

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for Room on Fire
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [55] Platinum70,000‡
Canada (Music Canada) [56] Gold50,000^
Japan (RIAJ) [57] Gold100,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ) [58] Gold7,500^
United Kingdom (BPI) [59] Platinum300,000^
United States (RIAA) [60] Platinum1,000,000‡

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<i>Hail to the Thief</i> 2003 studio album by Radiohead

Hail to the Thief is the sixth studio album by the English rock band Radiohead. It was released on 9 June 2003 through Parlophone internationally and a day later through Capitol Records in the United States. It was the last album released under Radiohead's record contract with EMI, the parent company of Parlophone and Capitol.

<i>Deftones</i> (album) 2003 studio album by Deftones

Deftones is the fourth studio album by the American alternative metal band Deftones, released on May 20, 2003, by Maverick Records. The album features a strong change in musical direction from the band's previous albums, ranging from some of their heavier compositions to moody trip hop and shoegaze influences. It was also the band's last release to be produced by Terry Date until Ohms in 2020.

<i>To the 5 Boroughs</i> 2004 studio album by Beastie Boys

To the 5 Boroughs is the sixth studio album by the American hip-hop group Beastie Boys. The album was released on June 14, 2004 internationally, and a day later in the United States. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, becoming the group's third consecutive album to do so, with 360,000 copies sold in its first week and is certified Platinum by the RIAA for sales of over 1,000,000 in the U.S. It was the group's first major release after the September 11 attacks on New York City and reflects on the after-effects.

<i>Contraband</i> (Velvet Revolver album) 2004 studio album by Velvet Revolver

Contraband is the debut studio album by American hard rock band Velvet Revolver, released on June 8, 2004, by RCA Records. A commercial success, Contraband debuted at number one on the American Billboard 200 chart and was certified double platinum by the RIAA.

<i>The Invisible Band</i> 2001 studio album by Travis

The Invisible Band is the third studio album by the Scottish rock band Travis, produced by Nigel Godrich. It was released on 11 June 2001 in the United Kingdom by Independiente and a day later in the United States by Epic Records. The songwriter, Fran Healy, said the title referred to the band's status of having famous songs, but not being famous themselves.

<i>Rearviewmirror (Greatest Hits 1991–2003)</i> 2004 greatest hits album by Pearl Jam

Rearviewmirror is a two-disc compilation album by the American rock band Pearl Jam, released on November 16, 2004 through Epic Records. The album has been certified platinum by the RIAA in the United States. It was reissued in 2013 as The Essential Pearl Jam.

<i>Left of the Middle</i> 1997 studio album by Natalie Imbruglia

Left of the Middle is the debut studio album by Australian singer Natalie Imbruglia. It was released by RCA Records on 24 November 1997 in the United Kingdom, followed by most international territories in early 1998. Primarily writing and recording the album in the UK, Imbruglia worked with a number of English producers, including Phil Thornalley, Andy Wright and Nigel Godrich, and at the final stage of the album production, she traveled to Nashville, the US and co-wrote a song with American songwriter Matt Bronleewe. Left of the Middle is an alternative pop album which incorporates element of electronic sound. The lead single "Torn" (1997) was a worldwide commercial success and has since been named as one of the Best Songs of 1990s by several publications, including Rolling Stone, and Pitchfork.

<i>Drops of Jupiter</i> 2001 studio album by Train

Drops of Jupiter is the second studio album by American pop rock band Train, released on March 27, 2001. The album's title is derived from "Drops of Jupiter ", its lead single, which was a hit internationally and won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Song.

<i>Talkie Walkie</i> 2004 studio album by Air

Talkie Walkie is the third studio album by French electronic music duo Air, released on 26 January 2004 by Virgin Records. "Alone in Kyoto" was included on the soundtrack to the 2003 film Lost in Translation, and "Run" was used in both the Veronica Mars episode "Nobody Puts Baby in a Corner" and the 2004 French film Lila Says. "Talkie-walkie" means walkie-talkie in French.

<i>Murray Street</i> (album) 2002 studio album by Sonic Youth

Murray Street is the twelfth studio album by American rock band Sonic Youth, released on June 25, 2002, by DGC Records. Murray Street is the first album by the band to feature Jim O'Rourke as an official fifth member to bolster the group's sound.

<i>Under Construction</i> (album) 2002 studio album by Missy Elliott

Under Construction is the fourth studio album by American rapper Missy Elliott, released by The Goldmind Inc. and Elektra Records on November 12, 2002, in the United States. The album was primarily produced by Timbaland, with additional production by Craig Brockman, Nisan Stewart, Errol "Poppi" McCalla and Elliott herself.

<i>Restless</i> (Xzibit album) 2000 studio album by Xzibit

Restless is the third studio album by rapper Xzibit. It was released December 12, 2000 though Epic Records, Loud Records, SRC Records, and Xzibit's Open Bar Entertainment. It debuted at #14 on the Billboard 200 with approximately 205,000 copies sold in its 1st week released. The album then fell 17 spots to #31 in the 2nd week, but then rose back up 19 spots to peak at #12 the following week. Since being released, the album has been certified Platinum by the RIAA with an excess of a million copies sold in the United States, making it Xzibit's most successful album.

<i>First Impressions of Earth</i> 2005 studio album by The Strokes

First Impressions of Earth is the third studio album by American rock band the Strokes. It was released through RCA Records first on December 30, 2005, in Germany, and on January 3, 2006, elsewhere. Three singles were released from the album: "Juicebox", "Heart in a Cage", and "You Only Live Once".

<i>Unplugged</i> (Alicia Keys album) 2005 live album by Alicia Keys

Unplugged is the first live album by American singer Alicia Keys. It was released on October 7, 2005 by J Records. Recorded as part of the television program MTV Unplugged on July 4, 2005 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the album includes songs from her first two studio albums Songs in A Minor (2001) and The Diary of Alicia Keys (2003).

<i>Scorpion</i> (Eve album) 2001 studio album by Eve

Scorpion is the second studio album by American rapper Eve. It was released by Ruff Ryders Entertainment and Interscope Records on March 6, 2001, in the United States. The album's title is a reference to Eve's zodiac sign, Scorpio. It features the hit single "Let Me Blow Ya Mind", a duet with Gwen Stefani of No Doubt, which won the first Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, a new category at the time.

<i>The Eraser</i> 2006 studio album by Thom Yorke

The Eraser is the debut solo album by the English musician Thom Yorke, released on 10 July 2006 through XL Recordings. It was produced by Nigel Godrich, the longtime producer for Yorke's band Radiohead.

<i>Ta-Dah</i> 2006 studio album by Scissor Sisters

Ta-Dah is the second studio album by American alternative band Scissor Sisters, released on September 15, 2006. It was produced by the band and includes collaborations with Elton John, Carlos Alomar, and Paul Williams. The album debuted at number 19 on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 42,000 copies in its first week. Upon its release, Ta-Dah received positive reviews from most music critics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Strokes discography</span>

The Strokes are an American rock band. Formed in New York City in 1998, the group consists of singer Julian Casablancas, guitarists Nick Valensi and Albert Hammond Jr., bassist Nikolai Fraiture and drummer Fabrizio Moretti. The Strokes discography consists of six studio albums, two extended plays (EP), seventeen singles, one video album and twenty music videos.

<i>Angles</i> (The Strokes album) 2011 studio album by the Strokes

Angles is the fourth studio album by American rock band The Strokes. It was released on March 22, 2011, through RCA Records. It was the group's first album in over five years, following First Impressions of Earth (2006).

<i>Is This the Life We Really Want?</i> 2017 studio album by Roger Waters

Is This the Life We Really Want? is the fourth solo album by the English rock musician Roger Waters, released on 2 June 2017 by Columbia Records. It was produced by Nigel Godrich, who urged Waters to make a more concise, less theatrical album. It was Waters' first solo album since Amused to Death (1992), and his first studio work since the opera Ça Ira (2005).

References

  1. ↑ "Top 100 Indie Rock albums of the '00s". www.treblezine.com. July 12, 2017. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
  2. ↑ Sharples, Grant (October 27, 2018). "The Strokes' Room on Fire Still Exists on Its Own Terms". Consequence of Sound . Retrieved February 18, 2020.
  3. ↑ Sharples, Grant (October 27, 2018). "The Strokes' Room on Fire Still Exists on Its Own Terms". Consequence of Sound . Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  4. ↑ The Strokes - Room on Fire Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic , retrieved November 5, 2023
  5. ↑ "First Impressions of Earth Turns 10". January 4, 2016.
  6. ↑ McKinnon, Matthew (July 24, 2006). "Everything in Its Right Place". CBC News . Retrieved December 15, 2013.
  7. ↑ "From The Basement On A Television: DiS talks to Nigel Godrich". DrownedInSound. Archived from the original on May 21, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  8. 1 2 Jonathan Garrett (7 March 2011). Is This It: Ten Years of the Strokes Archived March 8, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 10 December 2011.
  9. 1 2 "Reviews for Room On Fire by The Strokes". Metacritic . Retrieved December 10, 2011.
  10. ↑ Phares, Heather. "Room on Fire – The Strokes". AllMusic . Retrieved December 10, 2011.
  11. ↑ Power, Tony (November 2003). "The Strokes: Room on Fire". Blender (21): 106. Archived from the original on November 22, 2005. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  12. ↑ Browne, David (October 31, 2003). "Room on Fire". Entertainment Weekly . Archived from the original on July 29, 2019. Retrieved December 10, 2011.
  13. ↑ Petridis, Alexis (October 16, 2003). "The Strokes, Room on Fire". The Guardian . Retrieved March 23, 2013.
  14. ↑ Needham, Alex (September 25, 2003). "The Strokes : Room On Fire". NME . Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
  15. 1 2 Mitchum, Rob (October 26, 2003). "The Strokes: Room on Fire". Pitchfork . Retrieved December 10, 2011.
  16. 1 2 "Pitchfork Reviews: Rescored". Pitchfork. October 5, 2021. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  17. ↑ "The Strokes: Room on Fire". Q (208): 102. November 2003.
  18. 1 2 Fricke, David (October 7, 2003). "Room on Fire". Rolling Stone . Retrieved December 10, 2011.
  19. ↑ Cross, Charles R. (2004). "The Strokes". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster. pp.  788. ISBN   0-7432-0169-8.
  20. 1 2 Milner, Greg (October 26, 2003). "Room at the Top". Spin . 19 (12): 121–22. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  21. ↑ "Not So Different Strokes". Uncut (78): 108. November 2003. Archived from the original on June 1, 2016. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  22. ↑ Tallis, Dan (November 20, 2003). "Review of The Strokes - Room On Fire". BBC Music . Retrieved February 20, 2011.
  23. ↑ Thompson, Ben (February 9, 2011). "The Strokes, Room on Fire: 5 stars | OMM | The Observer". The Observer . Retrieved February 20, 2011.
  24. ↑ Tatone, Jenny. "The Strokes: Room on Fire". Neumu. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
  25. ↑ Christgau, Robert. "CG: The Strokes". RobertChristgau.com. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
  26. ↑ Hernandez, Raoul (October 24, 2003). "The Strokes: Room on Fire (RCA)". The Austin Chronicle . Retrieved March 23, 2013.
  27. ↑ Moffat, Iain (October 18, 2003). "Room On Fire". Playlouder. Archived from the original on November 4, 2003. Retrieved March 23, 2013.
  28. ↑ "7 acclaimed albums that no one listens to anymore - BBC Music". February 9, 2018.
  29. ↑ Room on Fire - The Strokes Billboard . Retrieved 10 December 2011.
  30. ↑ RIAA - Searchable Database RIAA. Note: reader must define search parameters as "Strokes".
  31. ↑ "Gold & Platinum". Recording Industry Association of America .
  32. ↑ "ACE Repertory".
  33. ↑ "Australiancharts.com – The Strokes – Room On Fire". Hung Medien.
  34. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – The Strokes – Room On Fire" (in German). Hung Medien.
  35. ↑ "Ultratop.be – The Strokes – Room On Fire" (in Dutch). Hung Medien.
  36. ↑ "Ultratop.be – The Strokes – Room On Fire" (in French). Hung Medien.
  37. ↑ "The Strokes Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard.
  38. ↑ "Danishcharts.dk – The Strokes – Room On Fire". Hung Medien.
  39. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – The Strokes – Room On Fire" (in Dutch). Hung Medien.
  40. ↑ "The Strokes: Room On Fire" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
  41. ↑ "Lescharts.com – The Strokes – Room On Fire". Hung Medien.
  42. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – The Strokes – Room On Fire" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts.
  43. ↑ "Irish-charts.com – Discography The Strokes". Hung Medien.
  44. ↑ "Italiancharts.com – The Strokes – Room On Fire". Hung Medien.
  45. ↑ "Charts.nz – The Strokes – Room On Fire". Hung Medien.
  46. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – The Strokes – Room On Fire". Hung Medien.
  47. ↑ "Portuguesecharts.com – The Strokes – Room On Fire". Hung Medien.
  48. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
  49. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – The Strokes – Room On Fire". Hung Medien.
  50. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – The Strokes – Room On Fire". Hung Medien.
  51. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  52. ↑ "The Strokes Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
  53. ↑ "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2003". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  54. ↑ "The Official UK Albums Chart 2004" (PDF). Official Charts Company . Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  55. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2020 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  56. ↑ "Canadian album certifications – The Strokes – Room on Fire". Music Canada.
  57. ↑ "Japanese album certifications – The Strokes – Room on Fire" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan . Retrieved June 2, 2019.Select 2004年10月 on the drop-down menu
  58. ↑ "New Zealand album certifications – The Strokes – Room on Fire". Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved June 2, 2019.
  59. ↑ "British album certifications – The Strokes – Room on Fire". British Phonographic Industry.
  60. ↑ "American album certifications – The Strokes – Room on Fire". Recording Industry Association of America.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.