Spring Break
The Strokes return with highly-anticipated 'Room on Fire'
Kelly McCabe and Karen Kirr/ Staff writers
Issue date: 10/31/03 Section: The Verge
As the old adage goes, too much of a good thing is bad. Noshing on the same candy for a week straight will make you straight sick of it. And with The Strokes' sophomore effort, Julian and company are ultimately shoving the same ear candy at you that initially parlayed the New Yorkers into the spotlight.
But it could also be argued that fans don't want The Strokes to stray from their trademark sound, they just want another dose of the same bass and drum lines.
Although the first few tracks incorporate more guitar solos than the total number on "Is This It," the album could have been dubbed "Is This It: part deux," with the exception that the band's sound isn't fresh like it was when their first album hit stores just over two years ago. Casablanca drones on about how he wants to be forgotten on the kickoff track "What Ever Happened?" while referencing in his lyrics to the obligatory and customary plaguing relationship issues.
The Strokes took a gamble by choosing to replicate their sound on their second album by refusing to depart even slightly from their original sound and choosing instead to produce another cookie-cutter album. Failing to incorporate other noise instruments besides the most overused instrument in rock, none other than the guitar, also might make one cringe and wonder if the future of rock is in jeopardy or just chaos. "Room On Fire's" collective repetitiveness inevitably will make you question how strong the market for garage bands will be in the future.
But on the other hand, considering The Strokes has established itself among garage band junkies, this album probably will have no trouble flying off record store shelves.
This album isn't by any means a total flop though. The last two tracks, "The End Has No End" and "Can't Win," will resonate with their catchy guitar riffs. "Automatic Stop" might also prove slightly enticing, despite Casablanca jam packing the song's lyrics with clichés.
The band managed to sneak in a few tracks that showcase their talents, but unless you're a diehard garage band fan or a manic Strokes follower, you are better off just keeping your cash pocketed and instead hitting up ITunes and downloading the tracks. However, if you do insist on forking over the dough for "Room On Fire," don't be surprised when it leaves you with a slightly bitter taste in your mouth.
But it could also be argued that fans don't want The Strokes to stray from their trademark sound, they just want another dose of the same bass and drum lines.
Although the first few tracks incorporate more guitar solos than the total number on "Is This It," the album could have been dubbed "Is This It: part deux," with the exception that the band's sound isn't fresh like it was when their first album hit stores just over two years ago. Casablanca drones on about how he wants to be forgotten on the kickoff track "What Ever Happened?" while referencing in his lyrics to the obligatory and customary plaguing relationship issues.
The Strokes took a gamble by choosing to replicate their sound on their second album by refusing to depart even slightly from their original sound and choosing instead to produce another cookie-cutter album. Failing to incorporate other noise instruments besides the most overused instrument in rock, none other than the guitar, also might make one cringe and wonder if the future of rock is in jeopardy or just chaos. "Room On Fire's" collective repetitiveness inevitably will make you question how strong the market for garage bands will be in the future.
But on the other hand, considering The Strokes has established itself among garage band junkies, this album probably will have no trouble flying off record store shelves.
This album isn't by any means a total flop though. The last two tracks, "The End Has No End" and "Can't Win," will resonate with their catchy guitar riffs. "Automatic Stop" might also prove slightly enticing, despite Casablanca jam packing the song's lyrics with clichés.
The band managed to sneak in a few tracks that showcase their talents, but unless you're a diehard garage band fan or a manic Strokes follower, you are better off just keeping your cash pocketed and instead hitting up ITunes and downloading the tracks. However, if you do insist on forking over the dough for "Room On Fire," don't be surprised when it leaves you with a slightly bitter taste in your mouth.
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