The first single, 12:51, from their new album, Room On Fire, has been posted on their website and can be downloaded here.

The song sounds really catchy, and the synth reminds me of thoughtful 80s pop bands like The Cars. Enjoy!

i turned it off after 1:30. i tried, but to no avail. i have the first album and listen to it every so often, but i do not understand the hype. they are not THAT GOOD - and as far as "band of the year" by SPIN is concerned, i do not feel that they deserved it. to tell you the truth, i have not heard a NEW band from the past 2 years, that has really made me excited about music...

The worst part about SPIN's "band of the year" accolade is that The Strokes didn't even release any new music in 2k2, for god's sake.

But I do dig what I hear of this new song.

I agree about the Cars comparison

And I really wish people would get their heads out of the hype/anti-hype/anti-anti-hype loop and just remember how to enjoy music--that's what The Strokes, at their best, offer us. Good Rock Music to Enjoy.

I agree. I think rock journalists are really bored right now, and will latch onto any act that shows even an iota of promise, whether they are good (The Strokes, The White Stripes) or bad (The Vines).

The Strokes may not be the most serious band, or the most talented, but they bring a great sense of fun back to rock.

Interpol is much much better than the strokes.
Death Cab for Cutie? Ditto

neat song. i see they're still doing the lo-fi vocal approach, which gets tedious to listen to after a while.

Could they possibly have mixed the vocals any deeper down in the mix? First time I played it I thought it was an instrumental.

yeah, the strokes' lo-fi approach to vocals really gets old after a few songs.

My favorite new artists (2002-2003):

Motion City Soundtrack
Mr. Lif - I, Phantom
Norah Jones (I agree she's a bit overexposed, but still good!!)
The Postal Service

Boreah Jones makes you excited about music?

hhahahh exactly...what is thing with this chick other than she is hot? Her voice, her musical dexterity, her...blah blah...bland bland...I put this cd in, listened to three tracks and turned it off. It's not even good for background, atmospheric music, I have plenty of great jazz for that. It's just boring...was it the critics who made her? either way it was hype hype hype.

bands/musicians I've gotten into over the last year, two:

pete yorn
black rebel motorcycle club
starsailor
the strokes (nme made me import this waaaaaaaay before the US hype started)

other than that and maybe a disc here or there, I've been listening to the same bands for the last ten years or so...

agree. i enjoy their first album, i just don't think they deserve all of the accolades they are receiving.

The strokes will be playine Conan every Tuesday in November with a new song from the album.

Here is the upcoming tour info:
ROOM ON FIRE TOUR

w/ Kings Of Leon & Regina Spektor

** North American leg**
10/09 - PHILADELPHIA, PA - Tower Theater
10/10 - PHILADELPHIA, PA - Tower Theater
10/12 - BALTIMORE, MD - UMBC Fieldhouse
10/14 - TORONTO, ONT - Hershey Center
10/16 - DETROIT, MI - State Theater
10/18 - CHICAGO, IL - UIC Pavillion
10/21 - SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
10/22 - LOS ANGELES, CA - Palladium
10/23 - LOS ANGELES, CA - Shrine Auditorium
10/25 - SEATTLE, WA - Stadium Exhibition Center
10/29 - NEW YORK, NY - The Theater @ MSG
10/30 - NEW YORK, NY - The Theater @ MSG
10/31 - BOSTON, MA - Tsongas Arena
11/06 - DALLAS, TX - Next Stage
11/07 - HOUSTON, TX - Verizon Wireless Theater
11/09 - ATLANTA, GA - The Tabernacle

** European leg **
12/01 - GLASGOW, SCOT
12/03 - CARDIFF, WALES
12/05 - LONDON, ENG
12/06 - LONDON, ENG
12/10 - PARIS, FRA
12/12 - AMSTERDAM, HOL
12/14 - BERLIN, GER
12/16 - COPENHAGEN, DEN
12/18 - ROME, ITA

thank you!!!! Finally someone else who can't put up with this garbage. (I thought I was the only one)

Count me in among what -- judging from this thread -- must be the relatively few people who like both the Strokes and Norah Jones. Neither of them are the musical saviors their hype might have led people to believe, but both released enjoyable albums.

[hijack]lostatmidnight, I don't know if this is part of your disapproval of her, but I know that a lot of jazz fans got upset that this was being called jazz. I don't consider her jazz, but I do consider her an above average interpreter of songs. Her hype I think had mostly to do with the fact that this was an album geared toward persons aged 25+ in an industry that persons aged 25+ may increasingly think ignores them. I'm sure she's as flummoxed as you that it did as well as it did.[/hijack]

Ditto, SAShepherd. Norah Jones has never bothered me and The Strokes - if this single indicates anything - are still good. I think Rhavi Shankar (sp?) had something to do with Jones' popularity, as well. Unless that was bogus and I missed out on the truth...

It would be great if Ric Ocasek produced their cd's. His production with their obvious influence would be great.

Slightly OT:

Does anyone know of any way to get involved in a fight against Ticketmaster? I just went to buy 2 seats for The Strokes in Chicago, and TM is charging me $19 in fees. How Congress has not stepped in here is beyond me....

PJ did their best, but eventually gave up.

back OT: i haven't really listened to the strokes but i like white stripes. if i wanted to download a couple of sample songs, which ones would you guys recommend?

I won't tell you to *download* songs, but if you ever get a chance to *listen* to a selection of songs ...

"Someday", "Alone Together", "Is This It?", "Last Night", "The Modern Age", and "12:51".

Ha! I've done the math, and it's not worth my time to download organize and burn CDs. I just want to check these guys out since they're compared to the white stripes so often.

gracias for the suggestions

Yep, synths are definitely Cars-influenced, but did anyone else notice the rhythm section sounding remarkably like Neu!? I like it, nice to see them add synths.

sounded pretty good and reminded me of their old stuff.

I think they need to cover "Stroke Me" by Billy Squier.

Their new album is great - I'm not looking for a "next Nirvana" or a savior for rock n roll, just good CDs.

I saw them Sunday night, and their show was rocking. How anyone could come out of that show and NOT want to buy Room on Fire is beyond me.