The Strokes – Room On Fire

Thought I’d revisit this and leave an update for fans interested in a good sounding version of this record.

I recently bought the Made in EU Blue version of this vinyl (make sure it has made in EU in the back cover as the USA version uses the same stamper as this pressing). The European version uses the MOV stamper (Music On Vinyl did a pressing of this sometime ago).

The sound quality of that is significantly better if not night and day differences. It still sounds lofi but with more punch, air between the instruments and natural vocal presence in the mix. The bass is significantly more punchy.

I might have been wrong thinking the extra compression was part of the production. The MOV version is just more dynamic and shows the mastering of this version was squashed.

I do not mean to say that this version is bad. In fact, I have enjoyed this version a lot. But if sound quality is your primary objective, try to get the pressing with MOV in the matrix.

Continuação perfeita do is this it, o único defeito é que acaba

I am quite sure the dynamic range was intentionally squashed to give it a lofi feel. This is evident from the hihat sound (it overpowers or is on the same level as other louder instruments at times). However, it doesn’t sound super harsh like many brick-walled records from this era.

The separation is not as impressive as their later albums but this a mixing choice (nothing to do with mastering).

As far as mastering, it still sounds better than what I hear on stream services. It sounds less compressed on vinyl and overall has higher fidelity.

My pressing sounds really good. This sounds « raw » which does this album justice. Great record.

Side B of my copy had a second center label stuck on which ripped right off… kinda weird but the record sounds great

My copy bought in 2003 has more punch than VMP version.

I recently bought this and it appears there was a misprint because my record had the “Side B” label print on both sides yet it plays the entire album. Just curious if anyone else’s copy came like this?

A little bit of surface noise and the soundstage could be wider. However, this lends itself to the lo-fi aesthetic. Clear vocals and great instrumental clarity.

I bought my copy way back when it came out and it has the glossy cover. I can confirm this is the og pressing. Sounds ok, nothing to write home about.

I bought (cheaply) a sealed copy of this in 2014 which matches the matrix for this entry. I'm going to assume it's been repressed several times since 2003..no way is mine 13 years old.