Pitchfork: Strokes' Hammond, Jr. Streams Solo Songs

Strokes' Hammond, Jr. Streams Solo Songs

Surprise, surprise! Albert Hammond, Jr. solo sounds a lot like he does with the Strokes. Hammond-- whose previously reported upon solo debut Yours to Keep comes out in the UK on October 9 via Rough Trade-- has posted three songs on his MySpace page, and they sound like Pete Yorn-ier versions of Strokes songs.

"Everyone Gets a Star" has a particularly noodly guitar part, and "101" comes complete with one of those "Okay everybody, now here's the key change" moments at the end of it. "Scared" is slower and starts with a staticky electronic drumbeat that supports Hammond's best Elvis Costello impersonation, which finally gives way to cooing harmonies.

The jury's still out on whether or not Albert is actually a better singer than Julian, but it's a distinct possibility. Mr. Casablancas guests on the album, so we can all do a side-by-side comparison on October 9.