After the 2001 release of “Is This It” which heralded the welcome return of rock n’ roll and began the new rock renaissance wave which has included the White Stripes, the Hives et al. The Strokes (if unfairly but not unjustified) were proclaimed the saviors of modern rock. With such excessive commotion circling the band, hefty expectations were inevitably placed on their sophomore effort. To say the band has lived up to the hype would be a gross understatement.

The album opens explosively with “What Ever Happened” that features Casablancas at his screeching best. Without a moments respite, the album unleashes its second track “Reptilia” which ferociously grabs the listener’s attention with just the first sound of it’s ripping guitar rift. And it’s steady as she goes from here on out. Like its predecessor, Room On Fire is one of those rare albums that does not require any song skipping. No advancing forward needed. All the tracks are solid. The first single “12:51”, a drunken infatuation/love song is one of the albums most catchy with a tremendous drum and guitar beat. Other highlights include “Automatic Stop” with its reggae influenced style, the intense pulse pounding power of “The Way It Is”, the teen life inspired anthem “Between Love and Hate” and the gorgeous “Under Control” the boys first ballad which drips a little Mick and Keith. Leave it to the Strokes to leave the best for last though. The albums closer “I Can’t Win” is a poppy, buoyant ditty that literally forces fingers to snap. But it’s “The End Has No End”, the albums second last song which is the true masterpiece here. A brilliant three minutes and seven seconds where the band hits it on all marks. A killer verse string and a haunting chorus. A true gem.