yeah, a fairly odd tone. “If you ask me, ‘Is This It’ is my album of the decade!” Not exactly a hot take there…
I think there’s maybe a sense of failure to the degree that they more or less ended up like all the other acts they set the stage for where it was all diminishing returns after the debut.
I think this is it. The Strokes’ massive success and ubiquity was only for a couple of years, and perhaps the feeling is that the second record didn’t kick the band on and make them more popular. This was possibly why it’s felt that this was a missed opportunity, rightly or wrongly.
I cant remember that clearly myself what their popularity was like around Room on Fire. Still quite big from what I recall. Does anyone remember the band playing arenas at this time?
The article seems to indicate that the record was received well enough but they had no vision or particular desire to promote it - and that they actively bucked things that could have taken them to the next level. I personally prefer it to the first - but it’s inarguably just another half hour of lo-fi garage rock.
Agree with whoever said that it’s not much to hang a world-conquering career on.
Feel like a spoilsport saying the answer was maybe less drinks, less drugs, more work?
Well there was DEFINITELY an arena tour for their third album, so there probably was for the second too. Someone mentioned a T In The Park headline set circa Room In Fire so, yeah, I believe they were still pretty big.
12:51 and Reptilia felt inescapable, in the best possible way.
Been listening to Comedown Machine a lot recently. Sounds way better than I remember. The recent EP was good as well. Would love a new album, but after reading that interview I doubt it will happen any time soon
yeah, it’s coming back to me a little…i forgot about those songs really!
i think it may be the case that the second album did less well in the usa, rather than over here…which is part of the reason they consider it a ‘failure’.
their biggest (?) gig ever supposedly. can’t recommend this enough. an insane crowd and the band clearly in a very upbeat mood. something genuinely brilliant happens within the first 5 minutes.
Watched the first twenty minutes of this just there. Going to watch the rest later. They looked like they’re really enjoying themselves there! Thanks for posting it!