Strokes-in’ It
When Albert Hammond, Jr.’s Yours to Keep debuted a couple of years ago, my love for the Strokes’ Is This It? was transposed onto their lead singer’s (Mr. Hammond, Jr.) debut LP. Whereas The Strokes had seemed to fall off their game, Hammond, Jr. was only elaborating on his band’s sound. And his sophomore album, the surprisingly non-Hispanic influenced Como Te Llama?, is a continuation of the maturation process for Hammond, Jr. as a singer-songwriter. Aptly titled, the album seems to rhetorically answer the “What is your name?” question he poses from the outset. His name is Albert Hammond, Jr. and it seems that he wants to separate himself from The Strokes’ comparisons (but does he really?).
Whereas Yours to Keep was much more in line with a previous sound, Como Te Llama? introduces a more reggae-influenced (see “Borrowed Time” and “Lisa”) and a less pop-heavy style that may be less accessible but certainly shows more musicianship and indie clout. “GfC” is this album’s “101″, with its catchy electric guitar riff and its tricky bass. Meanwhile, “Miss Myrtle” is a lazier ditty that showcases Hammond, Jr. at his most comfortable.
You should certainly check out Como Te Llama? And that’s not a question!
Listen to “GfC”
Listen to “Miss Myrtle“
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