Now available on Soulseek.

i got it from a fansite the other day......everyone who doubted their ability to grow will be very taken aback by the awesomeness of this album.....it stands on the same pillar as "is this it" in my book, and i know others who agree......

but of course i'll buy the album when it comes out......

Indeed, the album is definitely a great one.

My picks include:
03 - Automatic Stop
05 - You Talk Way Too Much
08 - Under Control

and of course, the single, 12:51

As will I.

(Edited by deathscythe257 at 11:26 am on Sep. 29, 2003)

From what I've heard of it it's good, but you could mix it into Is This It and the average person wouldn't be able to distinguish which songs came from which album. I have to disagree with Ray Davies about the "growth," but it's still pretty good.

i prefer to be totally surprised....especially with sophmore albums such as this one. i've alread heard a few songs but that is as far as i go!

So, would you say this is a Diff'rent Strokes?

Boo-Yeah!!

What you talkin bout Carl?

Suck it

(Edited by richarddawson at 12:00 pm on Sep. 29, 2003)

usually i'm all about waiting listen to albums until i buy them. but this time, since i plan on going to their atlanta show (even though i totalled my car on saturday and have no way of getting there yet), i'm probably gonna cheat. shows are just more fun if you've had a while to get to know the songs beforehand.

After hearing some of the songs tonight, I can say that I am thoroughly excited for this album. What I heard sounds amazing and "Ze Newie" (or whatever it is called now) is as great as ever.

I didn't want to listen to any of it, but that dirty Ray Davies forced me to listen to about five of the songs. I believe the songs are very different from Is This It...much more...clean (?) sounding to me. "Ze Newie" sounds great...different, but great.

I never doubted them, and now I must see them again.

I've only heard "ze newie" But I'm ready for more! I definitely wouldn't mind seeing them again.. I loved their last show.. when they came to Da ville to 328(R.I.P.) and julian got all in my face which made for great pics lol

Bottom line: I like listening to the Strokes. I'll get the new album and single when they come out. They put on a good show, though it is terribly predictable. Hopefully, they will work on that, but I doubt it. I have yet to listen to any of the songs, but not out of any complex reason other than I am too lazy to wait for them to download.

I hear this complaint way too much. While I've still never seen them in concert, their television performances leave me with the assumption that they sound just like they do on their albums. Why is this a bad thing?

Or are you saying that their setlists are predictable? That, I can understand for the "Is This It" tour. Now they have 11 more songs.

Yes, their setlists were predictable. No extra songs that were older (which they had) and no covers (which is fine, but with as few songs as they played, a good show should warrant something special). I'm just saying, I saw them three times and nothing was a surprise after the first show. Honestly, nothing much in the first show was surprising. It was just cool to see them.

Are Features shows surprising? No, not really, but we all still go because it's the music that's so lovely. If it's "surprise" we want, then we'd all just go see the fucking Lucky Guns (who suck, by the way) so that we can get sweat and beer slung onto ourselves.

Additionally, I thought The Strokes were pretty darn exciting when I was stuck underneath about fifty other people with Julian...but, you know, that's just me. I've already bought my Tabernacle ticket, so I guess they're surprising enough for little ol' me.

(Edited by Sexy Sadie at 8:47 am on Oct. 2, 2003)

Well, they certainly have a much larger reservoir of songs to draw from.

Yeah, I'm not comparing The Features with The Strokes though.

Well, hmm. When you posted "Are Features shows surprising?" in response to people talking about The Stroke's live show being unsurprising, wasn't that a comparison?

I believe she was talking about the love of the music. Not comparing the features and the strokes. Sounds like someone needs to stop listening to pearl jam and get a fucking clue.

No, it wasn't... Good God. I don't compare the two. Let's just misconstrue everything Sadie says. I was replying to Dicky's post that The Strokes aren't surprising. Then, I gave an example of another band I love (The Features) that is also not extremely surprising, and stated that even though their shows are not filled with long-haired sweaty men, the music makes up for it. I nowhere stated, "hmm...you know, the music of The Strokes is comparable to the music of The Features". I was not comparing the two, I was just giving The Features as an example since this is The Features Message Board.

(Edited by Sexy Sadie at 9:24 am on Oct. 2, 2003)

Vegetable Man strikes again!

Oh, ok. I understand. So it only resembled a comparison. It wasn't really.

You shouldn't let your ire get raised so easily. I was only joking.

As for you Veggie-Man, may your reign of terror be long-longlasting and fruitful. Let the streets flow with the blood of the non-believers.

Oh, and what a funny joke it was. You're quite the comedian.

But, don't let my smartass-itude get your ire rasied so easily. I'm only joking.

It was still essentially a comparison.

okey dokey.

That's exactly what it was-- a comparison-- and a VERY bad one at that. Granted, a show can still be amazing even with a band who has a limited catalogue, say, for instance, The Postal Service. (For those keeping score at home, I just compared the Postal Service to the Strokes-- except The Postal Service doesn't suck).

Bands with large catalogues (i.e. The Features, Pearl Jam, etc.), however, have a much easier time of entertaining their fans over multiple shows. It's a simple fact.

Sounds like someone needs to stop listening to pearl jam and get a fucking clue.

the strokes released one of the greatest debut albums of all time. it has changed the face of america, england and beyond. just think about how many kids grew their hair out and bought some chucks as soon as they saw the "last nite" video (i never did, but i know many who have). sometimes it's about getting caught up in the moment of a show as opposed to "well they only have 12 songs in their catalog" (you could definitely say that about interpol, not the moment of the show part, just the accuteness of their catalog). i agree with sexy sadie. it's about the love of the music. it just seems to me that there are just a very large amount of strokes dislikers on this message board who jump at the chance to put them down yet secretly cuddle themselves to sleep at night wth their imported is this it vinyl. ive seen the strokes 4 times, and each time i was overjoyed with the result. you may dislike the band, but dont use the fact that "they put on a predictable show" as an excuse. they must be something else that is getting your panties in a bind or maybe they are just some bandwagon fans on here or maybe you just dont like the band at all? different strokes (no pun intended) for different folks.

and the postal service album sucks, they are only 2 good songs on it. death cab kicks the shit out of the postal service anyday.

(Edited by VegetableMan at 10:03 am on Oct. 2, 2003)

1. It was a comparison.
2. I like the Strokes, but changed the face of America? First, thrift-store chic has been around for a long time now, and second, do you think 1 out of 25 Americans can name more than one Strokes song (or even 1 for that matter)? This isn't the Beatles we are talking about.
3. Pearl Jam sucks.

I have no idea what that means.

I may be wrong, but I think the only one that really bashed the Strokes for a predictable show was RichardDawson, who clearly stated he is indeed a Strokes fan. I implied that they suck (through a clever comparison), but never offered an explanation for my opinion. Maybe you'll get one later if I start to care enough.

The only "panties in a bind" I can detect is Sexy Sadie for jumping on RD for making a negative comment about her beloved Strokes.

Hey, everyone's entitled to an opinion, right?

Please. I could name 100 debut albums that were better. And "changed the face of America?" Take a deep breath and count to ten - you're overreacting. If you want to talk about being revolutionary, at least give the credit to the bands that the Strokes were ripping off on that album (Television, the Velvets). The Strokes made a pretty good album. That's it.

I don't think that their live show was any more or less predictable than any other band that has only put out one album.

ACKKK!!!!

INCONSISTENCY MELLOW DRAMA AND SKEWED SOCIAL IDEAS

(Edited by deathscythe257 at 12:51 pm on Oct. 2, 2003)

I really hate to do this, but I'm going to have to disagree with JC. I think you can trace back much of the current trends in music to the Strokes. Call it a revolution if you really want. I think it speaks more for their sound and style, however, than their album as a whole. Yes, they had a new, fresh sound and some killer singles, but after a few listens, as a whole I personally find their album uninteresting. A lot of people agree with me and a lot of people don't. Whatever.

This also has nothing to do with who they are ripping off- both past and present. Almost every band has influences and contemparies with a very similar sound, but we're talking about a band who came out and made the mainstream say, "Wow, I really love the Backstreet Boys, but these guys sound pretty cool. I'll have to look into this whole garage rock business." One could argue that they're no better than 1000 other bands along the same vein, but they were there in the right place at the right time.

You could probably say the same thing about Nirvana in 1991. Of course, they continued to put out solid albums. The Strokes still need to prove themselves.

(Edited by carligula at 2:02 pm on Oct. 2, 2003)

finally carligula and i agree on something.

Yeah, and it only took 4 hours. For the record, I agreed with you on the whole Interpol thing. Mostly because I know how it gets under Sina's skin. And lord knows that's where we all like to be.

Yep. Still good shows, just predictable, that's all. I will say that when I see the Features, no, I am not sure which songs they will play. They have some that I am sure they will play, and depending on the city, others that I do not expect. I have to say that I am typically surprised by the Features. They're always fucking with a couple of songs, trying to make them better, etc, etc. When their album comes out, their shows will probably be much more predictable, probably limited to the songs on the album. Anywho, that's the way I see it.

Excellent point.

Sorry, didn't mean to post.

(Edited by iwantelvis at 2:18 pm on Oct. 2, 2003)

This is all quite insane. Especially the whole "jumping on RD" thing. I'm sure the ol' R-O-B understands that I was not directing any hostility towards him, rather I was just stating my opinions on the surprise element of a Strokes show and how the music is a much more important element. I find this all very humorous that one thinks he/she can draw false conclusions from a few measely sentences that I contribute to a message board. It's funny how people put other meanings to the words I say. Hilarious.

It could be possible, but it's nowhere near to the extent that Veggieman made it out to be.

What the fuck is that supposed to mean?

I dont like the Strokes b/c the members drive pimped out SUVs with shiny rims...........bastards

(Edited by GrungeSlobTearPants at 3:34 pm on Oct. 2, 2003)

I like the Strokes.



And I miss being #3...curse you Carl...

No curse for me?


It's not that I don't like the Strokes, I just think they're boring. But these days, I get bored with most bands. I need to publicly thank RD for the DND bootlegs because they don't bore me.

This thread and that other arguing thread bore me too.

that means that I posted before I noticed that I was logged in as Iwantelvis.

the strokes are just like a dolphin eating a jar of peanut butter...i think we should leave it at that.

You're publicly welcome.

And, it's all good with Sexy Sadie, cause it's all in the family.

i am going to wait and be suprised. although is this it grew weary with me, and i do think they're overrated, but im going to give them a second chance.
sexy saide, nice avatar. i love nadine.

Thanks. She's my idol.

I'll get mauled for this, but I think the new Strokes record is aggressively mediocre. It's certainly not bad. What I've generally found listening to it is that there are parts of songs that I enjoy quite a bit, but very few of them are solid throughout. I can't detect any significant amount of growth. Mining 1981 instead of 1979 doesn't make for much of a difference in my book. Some of the songs have new elements, but many are almost indistinguishable from anything on Is This It. I mean, 12:51 just sounds like the Strokes bought a synth (though I hear it's actually a guitar), buried the vocals under it and tried to sound as much like the Cars as possible. To me the whole record sounds like a band going through the motions, a band who can't wait to get out of the studio so they can do a mountain of blow and screw hookers. There's an overabundance of wanky guitar soloing as well as some shameless pedaling of blues licks that have been played out since 9th grade. I mean, I know they've been hanging out with Slash but what's with all the "Sweet Child O' Mine" shit? Julian Casablancas still sings with distortion on his vocals throughout because he has a pussy voice. It's cool though. John Lennon hated his voice and often refused to sing without it effected in some way. I just thinks it's time our boy JC chose a different sound. I don't care if he has a pussy voice. I just wonder what it really sounds like. That said, I'm sure the release of this record will be greeted with a shit-ton of critical praise and everyone will love it and "god save rock and roll" and all that. Maybe I'm just cynical but I'm tired of having commodified underground music marketed to me because the record industry feels like the people are ready for a little rock in the pipeline. Burn your Chuck Taylor's kids. The dream is over. Come and get me you fuckers.

Neuboy, I greatly respect you as a musician and for your taste in music. However, I must disagree with you on this matter. I think the album is great and I can detect growth in the songs. To me, the band sounds more confident. The new album is both looser and larger, characterised by a boost in musical breadth and simple power. It is all very good; much of it is great (the album is still growing on me). However, everyone has their own opinion and that is fine.

Didn't you read the interviews in Mojo? They're so not about that anymore. Touring was really "hard" for them...all those girls and blow and beer, really made them question if it was "about the music anymore." And his superiors told Julian to slim the hell down or his career was over.

I just heard 12:51 and I dig it very much. I'm also really digging the Cars right now, so it makes sense.

Fat ass.

by "his superiors" they meant me

I got the new Strokes single when I bought the new Mattoid album on Friday. So here goes...

The new single is very underwhelming. For the first 15 seconds of "12:51", I thought it was going to be their best song to date, then the synth-sounding guitar kicked in and so did Julian's hardly audible lyrics. I cannot analyze this song based on lyrics, because I can't hear them. I might like it more if I knew what he was saying and could somehow connect with it. Anyway, it sounds like a sub-par rip-off of material from their first album. As far as growth, I hear none. The new guitar sound could be perceived as growth, but to me it just sounds like a band trying to cover up their lack of growth with a different guitar presentation. Don't get me wrong, I did/do enjoy listening to it, but critically, this doesn't impress me at all. The guitars sound the same, same song endings, same same same. The b-side of the single is a home recording of "The Way It Is." If you think "12:51" shows little to no growth, then don't listen to this. While I do like this track a little, I swear it sounds like they took a couple of the songs from "Is This It" and combined them to make a new song, except they somehow made it much shorter. It also sounds like they heard a Slack song and were like "Hey, let's put that guitar part at the beginning. We'll sound different." I hope that the "Room On Fire" album will be better than this, but if the "12:51" single is a good indication, the album will not be as good as "Is This It", just a decent knock-off.

honestly, i consider 12:51 the weakest song on the album.

gotta disagree, RD. it's a fucking good album.

12:51 was not a good choice as a teaser single. in my opinion. it is my least favorite song on the album.

Don't misquote me hoe. I'm glad to know everyone agrees about "12:51", because it makes me more optimistic.

Hey just letting you guys know that the album is on "THE LEAK" @ MTV.com so go check it out and listen to it! I did it and I'm looking forward to the CD! I wish I could go to the ATL show but it's no good.. I'm out for da count but anyway give it a Listen!

I didn't really like 12:51 at first, but after the third listen or so, the melody just ravaged my brain (in a good way). It is an incredible song on an album full of nearly all more incredible songs. I can't stop listening to it. I think it's amazing. And really, does it matter at all if they have 'grown' or gained a 'new sound' or 'moved on'? The only thing that matters to me is how enjoyable it is. Plus, with the Strokes' sound, if it ain't broke, why fix it?

yes, i love the new album as well. i'm still trying to decide if i like it more than the first one. right now, "room on fire" is ahead. the first thing i thought after listening to the album all the way through was "man, what an odd choice for a single." i do like "12:51," but i love the other songs on the album. golly, i can't wait to see them in atlanta.

uh-oh, there's been too much positive talk involving the strokes...time for some bashing...

Ok, I have just finished listening to the new Strokes album, "Room On Fire." In my personal opinion, the Strokes have shed the "Velvet Underground/Gang of Four/generic garage sound" edge that first attracted me to them. They have changed, and I'm not sure whether that should be misconstrued into "growth" or not, but whatever. As I listened to the album, I kept waiting for that "New York City Cops" style of song to come out and kick my ass, but...it never happened. The more I thought about it, I realized that I did want the same album out of the Strokes. I wanted another "Is This It", but that is not what this album is. Where the VU and Gang of Four tinges have left, some sort of power pop has crept in. To me, and this is just me, it's a very good album, but it's not something that I see myself falling in love with like I did "Is This It." But, don't get me wrong, it is still good, just in a different way. I'll start bashing now...

Somewhere else along the line, Fab decided that he wanted to suck more at drumming, which is disappointing. I don't remember which song, but there's one where he decided he wanted to unleash his inner-John Bonham and play a "D'yer Mak'er" drum-spot. I was disappointed that he would gank that. It is also apparant to me that Julian C. is really Liam Gallagher and that, neuboy, is why his voice is always distorted on the tracks. It's so you can't tell that it's actually Liam. JC really sings like him instead of Lou Reed on this album, which is yet again, disappointing to me. I think that's just about all I can say in the bashing department. Oh, and why they made "12:51" suck after the first fifteen seconds is beyond me.

So, it's a really good album. It's not as much like "Is This It" as I would have liked, but I think that I will give this a 3.75 out of 5, after two listens.

(Edited by richarddawson at 10:08 pm on Oct. 28, 2003)

So that's why I like it so much!

To be honest, the very first time I saw the "Last Nite" video, I thought "That guy is soooo trying to be Liam." Looks like I'm a precog!

Ah, and I don't really hear much of the power-pop-ness in "Room on Fire." There is no "Someday" (which is a pop gem that I adore) on this album. I actually think that the guitars sound harsher and more, well, rocking, especially on "12:51" buried beneath Nick's new wave melody. I think that "Reptilia" is as, for lack of a better word, rocking as "New York City Cops."

I also think that Fab's drumming is as good as it ever was, especially on "Ze Newi-" I mean "Between Love & Hate." Maybe because it sounds so much like "Armani Suede" to me. On the other hand, I don't like the way the drum or drum machine or whatever sounds on "The Way It Is."

Overall, I think that "Room On Fire" has a much better constant flow and tempo than "Is This It." Probably my best album purchase of the year.

(Edited by DigsySlattery at 10:20 pm on Oct. 28, 2003)

I would like to amend my previous review...I have since listened to this album in a trebled out stereo with very little bass fuzz at all and I like this album tons more now. Earlier, I had a generous helping of bass, which drowned out the vocals and guitars considerably. After the third and fourth listens, I really like this album a lot. It kicks ass. The lyrics are good and the Nick Valensi guitar lines are fucking great in this. This is a damn good album. The album has an early 60's, early Stones, 50's sound to it. The drums are the only exception to this. I really can't say how much different I feel about this album after listening to it three times. I think the more raw sounding stereo and my highness had a lot to do with it. Regardless, this is my new favorite night-time album. Very, very listenable.

Ammmended rating: 4.25-4.5 / 5

(Edited by richarddawson at 2:01 am on Oct. 29, 2003)

i never thought the strokes to be like gang of four. and i don't think gof can be lumped in with the velvet underground or "generic garage sound," which (to me) means lo-fi, sort of sloppy...gang of four is an incredibly tight band and lyrically, they couldn't be more different than the strokes or vu.

i've only listened to "room on fire" .75 times, so i haven't formed my opinion yet. mickey at grimeys said that lots of people were comparing 12:51 to early features. ?

Well, people compared early Features to the Cars, didn't they? Makes sense to me.

I don't know, the Gang of Four has this anxious, itchy sound and that's where I was coming from with the comparison. Lyrically, they are worlds apart. I agree. And, I should clarify, I wasn't bulking VU, GoF, and garage together, but saying that those were all separately the major sounds that I identified with the first Strokes album. I just didn't make that clear.

I got the new album yesterday. As I did not sneak a listen before it was released, it was all fresh to me. I have to say, I have been pleasantly surprised. I'd heard enough negative comments to make me think I wouldn't like Room on Fire, but I love it. It won't leave my CD player for quite some time.

I think the album is wonderful. I love every single song on the album, and I cannot wait to experience the newest ones live. (yay)

Digsy, I love the drum sound on "The Way It Is"...Actually, I think that's my favorite aspect of the song. I don't know what your problem is, fool.

(Edited by Sexy Sadie at 11:01 am on Oct. 31, 2003)

And the really crappy part is that in the Mojo interview someone else suggested that and he was like "I don't even like Led Zeppelin." Ignorant punk! Although D'Yer Maker does suck a whole lot.

wow, he's cooler than i thought he was. led zeppelin is a bad phase that people should grow out of after high school.

Hmm...that's pretty apt. That's when I grew out of them.

That's when I grew out of the too, but I still think they get a bad rap. I said this in the infacy of this message board and I'll say it again- Led Zeppelin is like an ex-girlfriend. You tell everyone you hate her, but deep down, you know you still love her.

I am enjoying the album for sure...It is what it is and it is good in my world.

But all this Led Zepplin dissing is really grinding on my nerves.

Saying that one should "grow out" of Zepplin that loves rock 'n' roll is like saying that one who loves the Blues should "grow out" of B.B. King.

John Paul Jones was/is a genius, and John Bonham could do more with his right foot on his kick drum than 99% of these half winded fucks out there today acting like they invented the meat beat on their slightly above average albums.

Damn!!!!

whatever. b.b. king sucks. bonham was a great drummer, but the fact remains that he was in led zeppelin(and his drumming on "hurdy gurdy man" sucks balls).

you know though...if led zeppelin never existed we wouldn't have "this is spinal tap". and so it was written in the 7th book of daiglenetics, led zeppelin's only relevant contribution to rock history.

Hard to argue with a brick mentality-so I won't, besides believing in Daigle is akin to believing in the Tooth Fairy....yeah I said it...so...

Once when I was 16 I got high and listened to "Stairway to Heaven" and watched The Wall.

I was going for stereotypical that night.

BLASPHEMER!

So true.

I saw the performance of "Reptilia" on Conan last night, as part of their every Tuesday in November deal with the show. It was damn good. Nick Valensi is so cool.

But not too cool to screw up his guitar parts. CHOKE VALENSI! CHOKE!

indeed.

oh man, how come you guys didn't remind me about this? i can't count on you for nothin'

It's coming on Comedy Central late this afternoon, since they re-air the previous night's episode of Conan.

I don't think that Zeppelin is a phase, I think they are a piece of Rock and Roll history. If it was only a trend, it would be long gone now that thier prime was 30 years ago. They were revolutionary for thier time and leaders to which many musicians emulate even today. Every great band (even the features) started by listening to thier favorite bands and imitating them until they create thier own style. And those whom created a revolutionary style, such as Zeppelin, will and should always be remembered in history. Like that style or not (Run DMC), I think its important to give credit and respect where it is due. The Strokes probably would not exist or have the same sound had Zeppelin not pioneered thier way through the 60s and 70s. Its evolution.

(Edited by GrungeSlobTearPants at 3:58 pm on Nov. 5, 2003)

does anyone have extra tickets for atlanta? just wondering....

sorry. no extra tickets here, but i wish i did. i would make a killing since its sold out.

Only 3 days!!! I'm sorry you didn't get a ticket, featuresgirl...

hee hee, this is Sexy Sadie accidentally logged in as that crazy deathscythe character. oopsy...

(Edited by deathscythe257 at 9:20 am on Nov. 6, 2003)

YAY!!! only 3 days!!!! this weekend will be amazing!!!!!!

yet again, sorry featuresgirl for the lack of extra tickets.....

no it's fine.. we were stupid and looked online on like monday for 3 tickets, and there were some. so we decided to go to tower and get them so we could pay cash..... we knew you saved some paying that, so we went and they had sold out by later that night. and he said you save 50 cents if you pay cash..... dumb.
we're dumb.
we would just go down there, and buy them at the venue, but we dont' really want to drive to atlanta and have no one be selling them.
oh well.