Getting the opportunity to record a sophomore album is a high achievement and a scary task for any band. When that sophomore effort is following up a debut record that placed your band in a blinding spotlight and the voice of a new era, the pressure is insurmountable. Such is the case for indie rock golden child The Strokes, whose 2001 debut produced a number of hits and introduced the world to their frantic style of musicianship. Songs like the title track and “Last Night” from their debut brought attention to the New York-bred band and skyrocketed them to the forefront of this new wave of indie rock that was emerging from the Big Apple in the early 2000s. With a brand new reputation for soaring melodies set to chaotic punk, The Strokes entered their sophomore album with the world watching and building pressure to deliver something just as special.
What we received was Room on Fire, which was released 20 years ago today on October 28, 2003. Initially, The Strokes reached out to producer Nigel Godrich who famously worked on some of the most iconic Radiohead albums. The band entered the studio with Godrich in 2003 but the sessions would prove to be unproductive. With frontman Julian Casablancas wanting to control the direction of the album, Godrich quickly questioned his presence and soon, Godrich was out of the picture as a whole. Casablancas and the crew reached back out to producer Gordon Raphael, who had produced the band’s wildly successful debut. In an attempt to capture lighting in a bottle, Raphael and The Strokes got to work on Room On Fire, and the final product speaks for itself.
The Strokes’ sophomore LP saw the band tapping into a similar energy we first experienced on their debut. Given the fact the band has to rush through the LP after their switch to a new producer demolished their studio time, there is something special about the pace of this album. The band stays comfortable in their usual uptempo realm, giving Casablancas’ acrobatic vocals the breathing room they need. A groovy moment like “Automatic Stop” is juxtaposed by the soft tempos and lush textures of “Between Love & Hate”. These conflicting tones are carried throughout the tracklist, giving Room On Fire a unique personality and deep rhythms that explode out of your speakers. Even the more sentimental moments like “The Way It Is” have just enough edge to give it that signature Strokes touch while showcasing a young band beginning to mature.
Room On Fire is a pivotal moment in the storybook career of The Strokes. Their quick yet potent sophomore album allowed the band to begin to toy with the sound that brought them this immense amount of attention, to begin with. The Strokes were able to create a sophomore album that proved they were worthy of this newfound fame while continuing to build what has become an undeniable discography.
