CD review: Phrazes for the Young - Julian Casablancas

SOLID STUFF: There's hardly a dud track on Julian Casablancas' debut album, but it's way too short.

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If you're trying to work out just how influential New York rock band The Strokes are, look no further than a recent list compiled by music rag NME that named their 2001 debut Is This It the best album of the decade.

It's hard to argue with that decision. Is This It was a monstrous statement by a young band that, over two sub-standard follow-up albums, they never managed to top. But as anyone who saw their 2006 show in Auckland, The Strokes always rocked like a bastard live.

Now, with tensions brewing and side-projects being started by many of the band's members, The Strokes seem to be in a never-ending state of limbo. So fans can only be pleased by this, the first solo album by the band's front man Julian Casablancas.

There's no getting around the fact that several tracks on Phrazes for the Young - especially the fiery blast of River of Brakelights - utilise the kind of jittery, frenetic rock that Nick Valensi, Albert Hammond Jr and co should be hammering away at.

But Casablancas knows how to craft a tune using keyboards and synths, and there's hardly a dud here. The kooky chamber chords and tinny drumbeat of sublime single 11th Dimension sounds like a warped soundtrack for The Breakfast Club, and there's no doubting the widescreen ambitions of the hook-laden Left & Right in the Dark.

There's more experimentation here than on a Strokes record too, as the woozy guitars and synthy atmospherics of opener Out of the Blue craft a unique anthem, while the hip-hop beats and flamenco guitar on Ludlow St combine to sound like something you'd listen to over Christmas dinner,

With that much quality over the album's eight tracks, it's a shame it's all over too soon. The good news is that if The Strokes never make a fourth album, Casablancas will have plenty of time to work on a follow-up.

* What do you think of Phrazes for the Young? Post your comments below.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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Nick   #7   04:42 pm Dec 06 2009

ab - "Great bands never have members that make solo albums"

So the Beatles weren't great? Led Zeppelin? Red Hot Chili Peppers? Pearl Jam?

Nick   #6   04:40 pm Dec 06 2009

Absolutely brilliant album, despite its short length. Best thing Casablancas has done since Is This It, and this rivals even that.

ab   #5   11:27 am Dec 03 2009

Great bands never have members that make solo albums

C   #4   12:00 pm Dec 02 2009

First three tracks are brilliant.

Cwelly   #3   08:45 am Dec 02 2009

I hope he comes to N.Z, or the strokes. Either one would be h.e.a.v.e.n!

Rachel   #2   06:29 pm Nov 30 2009

This is a GREAT album. Definitely recommend. But I agree with Mathew - Room on Fire AND FIOE substandard, what the hell?

Mathew   #1   04:03 pm Nov 30 2009

I'd hardly call Room on Fire "sub-standard"