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Product Description
Review
While the last few years have yielded a politely received drizzle of side projects from various members of The Strokes, it can’t be stressed enough that expectations for Julian Casablancas’s Phrazes for the Young are exponentially higher. He’s not only the voice and author of all the New York band’s songs (bar four co-writes); he’s the very slow author of their songs, and a solo record’s mere existence surely puts a fourth band album back by at least a year. In other words: this had better be good.
It’s been widely reported as an electro-pop departure, which is somewhat misleading. The crisply ringing guitars and compact rhythms of the day job are reduced, but the new-wave-y, Cars-style synths won‘t surprise anybody familiar with Room on Fire, while eight songs in 40 minutes is by some measure the most ponderous record of Casablancas’s career. In fact the likes of 4 Chords of the Apocalypse and Ludlow Street betray a country influence as much as anything, slow, sure-plucked backdrops to some particularly laconic vocals. Heck, the rinky-dink rhythm and nihilistic overtones of opener Out of the Blue could be lifted from a Johnny Cash song.
With a casually timeless “woah ooo ooh” chorus, Out of the Blue kicks off a run of three tunes that should slake those looking for a bit of Strokes immediacy; Left & Right in the Dark undergoes a thrilling leap from hipster torpor to his most engaged turn since Juicebox, with its FM-friendly exhortation to “wake up, wake up”; and single 11th Dimension’s sprightly two-note synth line does sound like an electro-pop departure, a fist-pumping, naive little brother to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ Zero.
The dark fizz of River of Brake Lights aside, the remainder of the album is much less immediate: rich, contemplative beds of synth and strum over which Casablancas rumbles, ponder and murmurs, vocals and music in unhurried synthesis. You feel like you could chew his every vowel. It’d probably be a considered a bit meandering for a Strokes album, but that’s not what Phrazes for the Young is. It’s neither a band record, nor a genre record, but a Julian Casablancas record, and that’s just dandy, because Julian Casablancas is a gem of a songwriter. --Andrzej Lukowski
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Mr Casablancas has been wise to embark on a solo
journey away from The Strokes mothership.
That which could not be realised within that
fine ensemble's boundaries is given vivid life
and energy in 'Phrazes For The Young'.
A relatively short but very sweet collection
of eight compositions is more than enough to
convince us of his prowess as a singer/songwriter of
substance. There's not a bad moment in evidence here.
Opening track 'Out Of The Blue' is pure post-punk
of the finest pedigree. The spirit of The Ramones
is alive and well and grinning from ear to ear on
this upbeat and buoyant piece of pop perfection.
'Left and Right In The Dark' sports yet another
infectious melody. Simple, naive and utterly addictive.
The catchy hook bristles with joyful self-confidence.
'11th Dimension' captures something of the essence
of 80's American electro brought bang up to date.
The chattering synths and reedy guitar lines are
perfectly integrated and convincing inventions.
The slow blues of '4 Chords Of The Apocalypse' suits
Mr Casablancas' laconic vocal style to a T.
It is a fine, understated performance of a
cannily constructed song. The chorus is a cracker!
'Ludlow St.' is an affectingly atmospheric compositon
who's ambiguous opening evolves into a strangely
deconstructed country ballad. The banjo solo is a hoot!
'River Of Brakelights' is a driving, cacophonous highlight.
The soaring vocal line rides the white wave of sound fearlessly.
A sonic surfer in full flight!
Things don't really get much better than 'Glass'.
The finest song on the album by a mile.
A genuinely uplifting musical experience.
Final track 'Tourist', with its warmly percussive brass
arrangement, provides a rich, kaleidoscopic ending to a
truly mesmerising and inspiring project.
A recording to make you feel good about being alive.
Essential.
journey away from The Strokes mothership.
That which could not be realised within that
fine ensemble's boundaries is given vivid life
and energy in 'Phrazes For The Young'.
A relatively short but very sweet collection
of eight compositions is more than enough to
convince us of his prowess as a singer/songwriter of
substance. There's not a bad moment in evidence here.
Opening track 'Out Of The Blue' is pure post-punk
of the finest pedigree. The spirit of The Ramones
is alive and well and grinning from ear to ear on
this upbeat and buoyant piece of pop perfection.
'Left and Right In The Dark' sports yet another
infectious melody. Simple, naive and utterly addictive.
The catchy hook bristles with joyful self-confidence.
'11th Dimension' captures something of the essence
of 80's American electro brought bang up to date.
The chattering synths and reedy guitar lines are
perfectly integrated and convincing inventions.
The slow blues of '4 Chords Of The Apocalypse' suits
Mr Casablancas' laconic vocal style to a T.
It is a fine, understated performance of a
cannily constructed song. The chorus is a cracker!
'Ludlow St.' is an affectingly atmospheric compositon
who's ambiguous opening evolves into a strangely
deconstructed country ballad. The banjo solo is a hoot!
'River Of Brakelights' is a driving, cacophonous highlight.
The soaring vocal line rides the white wave of sound fearlessly.
A sonic surfer in full flight!
Things don't really get much better than 'Glass'.
The finest song on the album by a mile.
A genuinely uplifting musical experience.
Final track 'Tourist', with its warmly percussive brass
arrangement, provides a rich, kaleidoscopic ending to a
truly mesmerising and inspiring project.
A recording to make you feel good about being alive.
Essential.
Format:Audio CD
I have never been a huge fan of The Strokes (I do like them!), but listened to them once in a while. So here the other day I decided to listen to my online radio - which plays similar music to the one you pick. I picked The Strokes, and after that if played some of Julian Casablancas songs. I was very suprised how catchy the songs are and how good his voice is. I bought his CD a few days ago, and I can't stop listening to it! Love it! I will definitely start listening more to The Strokes now ;)
Format:Audio CD
I've been into the strokes for quite a while now and when i heard that mr casablancas was going to be releasing a solo album, i was a bit wary. but i was wrong to be. this album is some of casablancas finest work since room on fire was released. it took a while for me to warm to all of the tracks, but after perservering and listening to it a good few times, it warmed on me. all of the tracks are lyrically and musically brilliant. my favourite tracks being 4 chords of the apocalypse, glass, out of the blue and 11th dimension. i would recommend this album to anyone who loves the strokes and their work.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Dear Julian, Amazing, Regards Tom
Such creative music expressed throughout the album. His voice just blows my mind especially on '4 Chords of the Apocalypse" and after a few listens he has you singing along... Read more
Published on 12 Feb 2010 by T. Goldsmith
You weren't expecting it to be this good...
What a complete surprise this album turned out to be; from the opening chords of ''Out of the Blue'' (my favourite cut on the album) to the galloping first single ''11th... Read more
Published on 1 Jan 2010 by OwenLondon
Brilliant Solo Album
I absolutely love Julian Casablancas' voice and was eagerly anticipating this solo album. It certainly lives up to expectations - I listen to it again and again. Read more
Published on 25 Dec 2009 by MLK
Uninspiring.
Like many, I looked forward to this album, based on the brilliance that are The Strokes. However, I cannot say I'm that impressed by frontman Julian Casablancas' solo effort. Read more
Published on 9 Dec 2009 by Oli Shilling
Album of the year
It arrived on Thursday. I am on my 15th hearing now. I have the Strokes album but was never knocked over. Everywhere I go I have these songs in my head. Read more
Published on 15 Nov 2009 by Mr. A. Boddy
Fresh
A brilliant debut solo album from the strokes frontman. Having been quiet since the fantastic 'First Impressions Of Earth' he has come back with a perfect album for any guitar fan,... Read more
Published on 12 Nov 2009 by G. L. Williams
Strokes frontman makes cracking album
First things first this album is superb i cant stop listening to it, julians voice is so much better than i thought it would be. Read more
Published on 9 Nov 2009 by F Moretti
Julian Casablancas - Different Strokes for different folks
This is much a better album than I anticipated indeed following the last Strokes album "First Impressions of Earth" I was growing increasingly worried that young Julian had run out... Read more
Published on 6 Nov 2009 by Red on Black
the strokes do mika!
heard 1 track on the radio, thought it was pretty good, ordered the album... had no idea it was the guy from the strokes, although i did think his voice was similar, but the... Read more
Published on 5 Nov 2009 by C. storm
Not great
I've had this on pre order for a long time and was genuinely excited when it was delivered.
My disappointment was almost immediate though. Read more
My disappointment was almost immediate though. Read more
Published on 4 Nov 2009 by AstroMonkey
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