Audio CD review:
Jr. Albert Hammond - Yours to Keep

Jr. Albert Hammond - Yours to Keep

Band: Jr. Albert Hammond Title: Yours to Keep Rating: Release Date: 2006-11-07 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Cartoon Music for Superheroes 2: In Transit 3: Everyone Gets a Star 4: Bright Young Thing 5: Blue Skies 6: 101 7: Call an Ambulance 8: Scared 9: Holiday 10: Hard to Live in the City

I'm yours to keep is best known as as a valuable member of the Strokes. Albert Hammond Jr. But don't let that influence your expectations for his solo debut "Yours To Keep. " On his own, Hammond turns out a totally different album: a shimmering, creative little pop collection that dips into lean rock'n'roll and vintage sunny pop. It starts on a note that's very Beach Boys -- sunny, psychedelic-edged, and slightly sleepy. "Goodnight, I said to you goodnight/Dream of all the impossible/And you wake you see/That all these dreams aren't fake/They're real/Not impossible," Hammond croons in a slightly sleepy voice. All that changes with "In Transit," the most Strokesian of all the songs -- a peppy, uptempo guitar number with slightly rebellious lyrics. But with "Bright Young Things," the style switches back to a circling guitar melody and a sunny musical edge, some folksy ballads, catchy rockers that bloom into peppy pop, toe-tapping acoustic plucks, and ringing songs about vacations in Jamaica. Despite the variety of styles, Hammond actually does a pretty good job keeping a signature "sound" in these songs -- something a bit happier and slightly wistful than the Strokes. It does have a bit of a split personality, between rock and sunny pop, but I suspect it's something that Hammond will iron out in future albums. The music has plenty of guitar -- both acoustic and bass -- both in lean sinewy riffs and in circling melodies. But Hammond and a variety of musicians (including Sean Lennon, Julian Casablancas, Ben Kweller, and Sammy James Jr) wrap the songs in a thin layer of other instruments -- tinkly melodica, ukelele, rippling keyboard, and some brass. There's even whistling at one point. Hammond's voice is kind of scratchy, but it's still pretty pleasant to the ear. And he throws a lot of passion into his singing, whether it's a murmury croon or a belt-out wail. "And you will only hold me/If I will never tell you it would end/And you will never have me/Cause you were only wanting to be friends/And you will always hold out till he gave out. " "Yours To Keep" is a triumph for Hammond -- a solid, shimmering album that straddles between pop and rock. Definitely a good listen, but not for people seeking another Strokes album. . mine to keep....forever I just received this gem of an album today and have already listened to it at least six times. . . yeah, it's that good! I am a huge Strokes fan, but never heard Albert speak or sing before, so I was a little wary of how his voice would sound, but I was more than pleasantly surprised by his great voice on every beautiful song on the album. After hearing this record, I think the Strokes should split up singing duties half/half on any future albums between Julian and Albert much like the Beatles did. Every song is a joy to listen to, but the one that will never leave my head is "Scared", which is nothing less than four minutes of pure heaven. If you have the chance to pick this album up, don't hesitate to do so-I promise you won't be disappointed. Albert is the new Julian :) -This album was so not what I had excpected. I listen to the Strokes religiously, and I am such a huge fan. It is a lot softer and more mellow than the strokes. Albert has such a great voice, again, not what I had expected. It's sort of "the Strokes meets the Shins" but better!! If you love Indie, buy this album! If you love the Strokes, buy this album and support the fellow bandmate Albert Hammmond Jr!!. Will Surpass Your Expectations I am a big Strokes fan, but don't expect Strokes songs. I thought this was an excellent album. Hammond Jr. goes out in a completely different direction than his efforts with the Strokes, and I feel he succeeded in Yours to Keep. I'm glad it's being released in the U. S. and not just the UK or Europe, as I feel it's definitely worth introducing to a wide audience. The only reason I know about the album is from being hooked on the songs from the rare Strokes DVD "In Transit", with the soundtrack written by Mr. Hammond himself. It's a simple, melodic album, that isn't trying to prove anything. Some nice harmonies and hooks. It's hard to explain what's so good about it, just because it is so unimposing - in a good way. But you'll have the choruses in your head all day. Hammond's voice is surprisingly good, too - here he sounds exceptionally tender. I also enjoyed the cameo from Sean Lennon in "Scared" [Julian Casablancas is also featured on this song, but you can barely hear him, although it's fun to try]. My personal favorites are "In Transit", "Everyone Gets a Star", "Hard to Live in the City" and "Scared". The only complaint I have is the production is a little shoddy; once again I wonder why someone who has done time in a mega successful band didn't have the cash to fund a side project!. Good Music I even saw them in a festival in stuttgart, Germany. I've been a fan of the strokes for a while now. Hammond is a great guitarrist, especially live, where he sound's just like in the studio. I did'nt knew what to expect of his solo effort without his bandmates, and without his partner in crime from the strokes in the guitar Valensi, but his guitar work is mellow and flawless in this album. Hope to see him live, come to puerto rico, lots of fans here. Peace. You can see a complete list of all Jr. Albert Hammond discography, or go back to the Jr. Albert Hammond tabs