Room on Fire

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Smart music but definitely not for younger teens.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this is one of those CDs that your kids are going to want to have, but reading the lyrics will give you a case of heartburn. The band members have serious drug histories and that informs their music. They are also honest in their treatment of subjects that some parents would rather not deal with. Mature teens beginning to negotiate their way through the challenges of sex and drugs will find much to consider here.

  • "F---" goin' to that party" (in ":51"), "We were just two f---s in lust" (in "Meet Me in the Bathroom"), "We won't take that s--t" (in "I Can't Win").
  • Not applicable.
  • Some kids may not understand the alcohol reference in ":51" ("We could go and get 40s"), but it's common parlance in hip-hop.

What's the story?

ROOM ON FIRE takes the listener on a tour of late nights ("12:51") and harsh dawns ("Between Love & Hate"), with their moments of emotional emptiness and fitful happiness. Despite the dark subject matter, it's catchy enough that you'll probably find yourself singing along. Because of the wealthy background of the band members and past rumors of drug abuse, it's easy for the listener to bring this baggage to the album. Mature teens beginning to negotiate their way through the challenges of sex and drugs will find much to consider here, but it's a good idea for parents to talk about all the drug, alcohol, and sex references with their kids after reading the lyrics.


Is it any good?

 

Some bands give themselves hernias trying to be notorious, using profanity and sexism in a desperate bid for attention. New York's Strokes are far more subtle and artistic in their treatment of adult subjects. Overall, Room on Fire is a terrific rock & roll album, spare in its production and passionate in performance.


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What families can talk about

Families can talk about about all the drug, alcohol, and sex references, and discuss if that kind of honesty is always a good thing for teen listeners.


This review was written by Peter Melton
Adult
April 9, 2008
 
What can I say?
The Strokes are a great band. One of the few mainstream bands that deserve their spotlight. I highly recommend this album.

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Adult
February 21, 2009
 
Somewhat iffy, not sure if Common Sense Media is always right
A very good album. I heard this music when I was 11. I was fine when listened to it. Still, there may be a few uses of strong language. However, they are used as a noun rather than an adjective. There is not much in terms of drug material, just the line "We could go and get 40s." This album is not like that.

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Adult
December 19, 2009
 
Fantasic!
I firmly believe that this album and The Strokes in general are better than anything your child could be listening to in the Rap/Hip Hop genre. There are a few f bombs, but nothing too obscene. Side note- The Strokes are my favorite band by far; just perfection.

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
LOVE THE STROKES
this is the best band ever, and i have no idea why common sense said this is 16+ and only said graduation by Kanye West is 14+. They also gave Graduation yellow for languae and that says the f word like over 10 times whereas this album only says it once. this is the best strokes album

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Teen, 16 years old
June 23, 2011
 
THE STROKES ARE AMAZING!!!
Well there are no sexual references unless you are dumb or something, & they do swear like 5 times but there is pretty much swearing in a lot of songs nowadays. Also the song is called 12:51 not :51. Plus the alcohol reference really that isn't that big of a deal compared to what people listen to now.

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Teen, 13 years old
December 16, 2011
 
Great album, not just for those 16+
There is some minor swearing, but nothing that you wouldn't hear walking through any American city. The Strokes present a strong, honest album here, and it is a definite follow-up to their last album, "Is This It". "Room on Fire" represents what may be the best period for this band. Also: CSM is quite crazy for rating this 16+. It's an absolutely appropriate album.

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This review was written by Peter Melton
Artist:The Strokes
Release date:October 28, 2003
Label:RCA
Genre:Rock
Parental advisory:No

This review was written by Peter Melton
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

 

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