Albert Hammond Jr
Yours To Keep

As often happens, some members decide to part from the group, temporarily or permanently, to unleash their artistic flair in solo albums which, however, very often disappoint, sometimes because they are too influenced by the style of the original group to the point of being a poor imitation.

This same process occurred with the Strokes when, after the release of the third album First Impressions on Earth, the rhythm guitarist Albert Hammond Jr and the singer Julian Casablancas decided to record some solo pieces. However, while for the singer it can be said that the result was quite disappointing, the guitarist's production was a pleasant surprise for everyone. Yours to Keep released in 2006 is an album composed of 10 pleasant tracks, 40 minutes of good music. Albert Hammond Jr, who in the Strokes is often overshadowed by the talented lead guitarist Nick Valensi, is finally able to express his own style here, confirming his qualities as a good guitarist but not only that, also showing to have a good voice and excellent songwriting skills. It must be said that in some tracks of the album, the Strokes style is clearly apparent, as in the engaging In Transit where the intertwined guitar riffs emerge in wonderful melodies, a characteristic of the Strokes style, just as in Holiday and Hard to Live (in the City) we find a drum with its precise rhythms supporting the clatter of guitars, but overall, the CD presents new ideas and sounds that do not make it a poor imitation of the original Strokes.

The album opens with a pleasant rock-style lullaby Cartoon Music for Super Heroes, light and carefree, sweet tones that are also felt in the acoustic ballad Blue Skies, simple but effective with a Lennon-like flavor (Sean Lennon, the son of the great John, also collaborated on the CD). Although it’s an album written by a guitarist, we're not faced with tracks where the guitar overwhelms the rest, dominating with great solos; instead, what stands out are the good arrangements and the choruses, as in Bright Young Thing or Scared. The single Back to 101 is perhaps the right compromise between the sound of the New York band and Hammond's ideas, where it is hard to remain indifferent to the guitar riffs and the rhythm of the drums. A CD that never tires, suitable for any moment, to be listened to carefree, tapping your foot to the beat.

Tracklist:

1. Cartoon Music For Super Heroes

2. In Transit

3. Everyone Gets A Star

4. Bright Young Thing

5. Blue Skies

6. Back To The 101

7. Call An Ambulance

8. Scared

9. Holiday

10. Hard To Live (In The City)