Room on Fire | The Strokes | 2003 | RCA | #360
I think The Strokes have done really well to squeeze out a pretty successful career and couple of albums from what is probably for me one of the least inspiring genres. About half way through the album I realised that firstly, we’re half way through the album - I hardly noticed that we’ve progressed five tracks - and secondly, this is so dull yet I’m still enjoying it somehow.
It’s a good album because all the songs are perfectly written and produced for people who enjoy bands like The Strokes - they nailed that early 2000s alt-rock “indie” sound. The nonchalant, lethargic rhythm section with that guitar playing that has a weird way of sounding energetic but just isn’t - almost robotic and repetitive in fact. Maybe I could say something clever about it being the perfect soundtrack for the mood of the time; for the laid-back (lazy), apathetic Millennials. But I won’t because I can’t be bothered to do the research to confirm whether or not I’m right.
I didn’t dislike this album, I just can’t ever imagine a scenario where I’d choose to put it on.