Back To The Future
Hammond Harkens to classic pop rock.
Albert Hammond Jr.
Como Te Llama?
Released on Jul 08, 2008
It's funny to think that a few years ago I never would have imagined in my wildest dreams that Albert Hammond Jr. would become such an impressive solo artist. He filled in the background for The Strokes so well, all the while staying tastefully just outside the edge of the spotlight (although some would argue he had much more to do with their success than general knowledge conveys). Who would have that that the Strokes might have actually been holding back this budding artist?
But Hammond's fellow Strokes have little or no sway with Como Te Llama?. The album treads less on the grounds of modern rock that The Strokes, and even Hammond's first solo album, Yours to Keep, helped discover. Instead, it harkens back to the catchy rock ballads of the late 70s and early 80s that were making mainstream rock's first brilliant grabs at pop conventionality.
Hammond makes it clear that he is well versed in the pop-rock genre and very handily carries the torch of bands like Cheap Trick, The Kinks and even a little Buddy Holly. But a sophomore album is where an artist truly needs to set himself apart and prove the initial success was more than just a fluke. This is especially true in the case of someone like Hammond, who has attained his credibility with another outfit. And while the album is great (it really is), it's somewhat disheartening to hear him push himself more towards the past instead of the future.
Even though the album may be a little too throwback at times, it's still a gorgeous change from the monotony of down stroke hipster anthems that The Strokes fell in to with their last album. Como Te Llama? might not take many chances, but it does have subtle levels that shift fluidly, melting away the expectations of familiarity. "In My Room" and "Lisa" bring out the comfort of nostalgia with their steadfast quality, while "GfC" and "Rocket" sprinkle in that foot stomping indie rock element that Hammond and company have made you realize you simply can't live without. Como Te Llama? is a solid output that not only makes you bob your head but makes you anxious for the next step, whether it a full fledged solo career or another Strokes album.
High Point
The dreamy landscape and beautiful howls of "GfC"
Low Point
The pseudo-Reggae movements of "Miss Myrtle" fell a little short of acceptable.
Posted by Graham Lee Brewer on Jul 07, 2008 @ 6:55 am
