Three albums are dropping per day lately and I'm reviewing an album that came out in 2005. Yep. Room On Fire is The Strokes' second album, and there is no way you can tell me it's a sophomore slump. It's comeback of the year, if you ask me. This album is pretty much an emotional rollercoaster, and I'm the amusement park employee making sure your seatbelt is fastened. But also, I'm on the rollercoaster. I am always on the rollercoaster. This album really got me through 2016, as I see the main themes of this album as growing up and moving on, which is exactly what I did. These are songs for the end of the school year. What Ever HappenedThe guitar in this song is so calm, it just makes the whole song have this melancholy vibe of moving on and growing up, which really, I think the whole album is about. Trying to find your way in the world. Julian's vocals work so well with this song, as its calm riff seems to mirror his vocals in a muffled, toned down way. Really just an excellent song, but doesn't follow the Room On Fire formula, which I'll explain when it shows up. ReptiliaI feel like singing along to this one. This song is definitely for a summer night out. The songs on the album feel warm to me, but something about Reptilia balances that out with an icy cold riff and an incredible solo. This is a song for badasses. If I could play guitar like just one person, it would definitely be Nick Valensi. His style is so all over the place throughout the Strokes and CRX, but it all has that same intense and quick vibe. But yeah, Reptilia is incredible. That bass, too. I love how the Strokes just add and subtract layers of instrumentals throughout their songs. Automatic StopThis song follows the Room On Fire formula, i.e. Starting off with one thing, and then moving into something totally different, usually when the vocals come in. You can still hear the intro all the way through in this one, though, which is definitely a good thing. The guitar in this one is so nice, and again the lyrics focus on pretty much just moving on. This album really does have a warm, melancholy vibe. Maybe that's why it's called Room On Fire. 12:51The thing I love most about this song is the synthy guitar riff that mirrors Julian's vocals. It really just adds a whole other layer to the song. The rhythm guitar in this one is really nice, too, and everything just seems to work together. It's beautiful. The percussion is really nice, too, which I know isn't often something I comment on, but the Strokes really nailed it here. You Talk Way Too MuchThe intro and the actual song are very different, once again. It's so good, though, and the guitar riff is so nice against Julian's vocals. And that guitar solo! I love how different Nick and Albert's guitar styles are, it really makes the Strokes sound the way they do. And again with those drums. So good!! And the lyrics, man. Just overall amazing. Between Love And HateThis song really has that melancholy moving on vibe I was talking about. Maybe it's just a me thing, though. This song really brings me back to last June when I was leaving my old school and didn't want to leave my friends behind and thought I would be fine on my own. Long story short, I wasn't. This song really did get me back then, though, and I still find it relatable to this day. Also that guitar. Nick Valensi, man. And Albert Hammond Jr. And that bass. Nikolai Fraiture! Just listing the Strokes over here, no big deal. Fabrizio Morretti! I just love the overall sound of this album, and that's why I'm thanking all of the Strokes for it. Meet Me In The BathroomThe bass and guitar work extremely well together on this song. Please slay me, Strokes, this song is so good. I can't even comment on it. It's so good. Wow. Yes. More of this. Everything just sounds so good. I think I'm going to have to list the Strokes again. Nice outro. Under ControlSO CALM. Love it. That melancholy, warm vibe again. This song reminds me of falling asleep on a boat. That's an obscure feeling, but hey, I've experienced it. Summer 2015! Such a calm song, though. I really appreciate the vibes on this album, they're so calming and honestly quite relatable. The Way It IsI love how the guitar in this song changes with Julian's vocals. It's really a good vibe, and isn't the vibe found in most of the songs on this album. It feels almost more intense, and I have to give credit to Nick, Julian, and Fabrizio on that one. Julian's voice always works really well with the guitar and percussion, especially on this song. The End Has No EndI listened to this song every day in seventh grade. Every freakin' day. I love this song, and the message is honestly really deep. 'The secret to the government is keeping you dumb?' Truuuuuuuuue. I love the synthy sound of the guitar, and the bass is really nice, too. This song has a vibe similar to Reptilia. I Can't WinThis song is tied for my favorite with Between Love And Hate. I love the guitar and the way it stays consistent throughout the song. Honestly, I think it makes the song the masterpiece it is. Julian's vocals are really nice, too, and don't sound as synth-y, scratchy, and edited as most of the other songs on this album (newer Strokes stuff sounds more synth-y, older Strokes stuff sounds a bit strained and with some effects). ConclusionAs this album is currently at #2 on the list of ten albums that have changed my life (article on that coming up... maybe), it's safe to say I love it. It has the guitar and vocal style that is particularly my favorite, and its themes of changing and moving on are very relatable. Unless I got it wrong and it's all about love like everything seems to be.
I'll see you guys soon. Stay chill.
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Hello, readers of earth and anyone else who happens to be surfing my internet wave. It has been a long two months at Twilight Collective in which we have been trying to get through reviews. The review have in fact not been gone through. But here's a review I'm actually quite confident in, because it's a classic case of 'I liked the first single so I'm already attached and will get this done quick.'
That's totally a thing, right? Okay, now onto the band intro. BNQT is a giant collab (supergroup?) which consists of a bunch of really cool people that I don't feel like listing because I'm probably going to skip someone, but they're from bands including Travis, Franz Ferdinand, Midlake, Band Of Horses, and Granddaddy. Anyway, let's go. |
About The AuthorLiah is a high school senior who plays guitar and loves the color yellow. She doesn't post much, but when she does, it's awesome. We promise.
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