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Track Listings
| 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 |
| 11. Postal Blowfish - bonus track |
| 12. Well... All Right - bonus track |
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
There's always a moment of nervousness when a member of a hugely successful band cuts loose and makes a solo record. Even if the move doesn't point to an imminent break-up - and very often it does - there's always the worry that the project will be somehow under-par. Albert Hammond Jr., guitarist for NYC starlets The Strokes, has re-assured the public that he isn't about to quit the band - which leaves us only with the issue of calibre. Having already knocked up writing credits with the band (most notably "Automatic Stop" on Room on Fire), it would seem Hammond has good reason to pursue his personal muse. On the other hand, it's well known that some of the material on Yours To Keep has been rejected by the band in the past. Lead single "Everyone Gets A Star" could have been one such rebuff. With its choppy guitar and jangly chorus, it has all the hallmarks of a Strokes tune –just not as good. Unfortunately it's one of the best tracks here. While Hammond undoubtedly has good guitar skills, is capable of writing catchy tunes, and even has a reasonably listenable voice, there's a listless, half-hearted aura to the album that even guests like Sean Lennon, Strokes frontman Julian Casablancas or Fountains of Wayne's Jody Porter can't break. A brave attempt, but a premature and largely unsuccessful one. -- Danny McKenna
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Albert Hammond Jr. is best known as the lead and bass guitarist for the Strokes. 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.
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.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is a very good album. One criticism is that none of these songs would look out of place on a strokes album, and if the strokes went for a softer sound, this is probably what it would sound like.
However, having said that Hammond is evidently a talented guy, and the album stands up on its own next to any of the strokes albums. (Except 'Is this it', nothing compares to that!!)
However, having said that Hammond is evidently a talented guy, and the album stands up on its own next to any of the strokes albums. (Except 'Is this it', nothing compares to that!!)
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I was very surprised upon hearing this album how different it sounded to the strokes it has a upbeat summery feel my favourite track though has to be 101 which is great. I just hope this album gets the credit it deserves, fair play to albert for pursuing a solo career a bright future beckons.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Wow
purchased because I love The Strokes and Albert Hammonds voice and I was not disappointed so all you Strokes fans buy it
Published 2 months ago by Mrs. J. V. Blackman
good but not excellent!
I am a strokes fan and this cd will not disappoint. However, there is no track that made me fine. In the average!
Published 6 months ago by gdvdj
Interesting
Interesting concept from the Strokes guitarist. Softer sounding than much of the Strokes material but very enjoyable. Will look forward to the next cd.
Published 12 months ago by A Hughes
Albert does not Disappoint
I'm not going to ramble on and compare it to the Strokes...
Albert Hammond Jr. has his own style, and this in my opinion is a great album!!
You will not be disappointed.
Albert Hammond Jr. has his own style, and this in my opinion is a great album!!
You will not be disappointed.
Published 14 months ago by Danny
Yours, to keep
Albert Hammond Jr. is best known as as a valuable member of the Strokes. But don't let that influence your expectations for his solo debut "Yours To Keep. Read more
Published on 12 Jun 2007 by E. A Solinas
Small but near perfectly formed
Fair enough, not music to change History but neither's the Lemonheads' or Brendan Benson's, say. Like both of those acts, though, Albert Hammond Jr's bright guitar pop is warm,... Read more
Published on 2 Jan 2007 by Nick
Not a very consistent album, no where near as good as It This It, but...
This album has some songs that rival the best songs that The Strokes have done. "In Transit" is brilliant, with a cool sounding guitar riff and some vintage keyboards. Read more
Published on 9 Dec 2006 by lakers567
good but lacks something
As a huge Strokes fan I had to buy this. Unlike some of the other reviewers I don't think Strokes fans will necessarily like this - it is like a much lighter,sweeter version of the... Read more
Published on 7 Dec 2006 by Jane
Quality music
This is brilliant, would really recommend anyone to buy it, especially strokes fans.
Published on 17 Nov 2006 by Mr. D. M. Hayfield
Class Album
I really never expected this album to be anything special. As an avid strokes fan i was very interested to find out AH jr was to release a solo album. Read more
Published on 15 Nov 2006 by Kingmonkey69
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