New York rock band the Strokes have been busy since their last album in 2006, just not together, and lead singer Julian Casablancas carries on the trend releasing his first solo album Monday.
Phrazes for the Young (RCA/Jive/Sony) mixes tambourines with brass and synthesizers to create a retro-futurist sound that Casablancas will perform to European crowds on a tour starting at the end of November.
It can be difficult to experiment when you are part of a group, Casablancas said to Spin magazine, With Phrazes I wanted to be madly different and put down a bridge between traditional and modern music.
His voice is always distinctive, some of the guitar melodies are recognizable, but otherwise Phrazes is a long way from the garage rock of the Strokes.
Casablancas was inspired by Thom Yorke, Queen and Michael Jackson for his solo debut and borrowed from the 1980s electronic sounds of New Order and Queen, as well as melodies more reminiscent of the south of the United States.
The other Strokes have also been busy: guitarist Albert Hammond Jr released two critically acclaimed solo albums, drummer Fabrizio Moretti made delicate melodies with the trio Little Joy and bassist Nikolai Fraiture signed his solo album under the name Nickel Eye.
The main songwriter for the Strokes, Casablancas also wrote all the songs and played most of the instruments on his short eight-track album, produced by Jason Lader (Rilo Kiley) and Mike Mogis (Bright Eyes).
He kept a close eye on the artwork too and took the title from an Oscar Wilde book.
Despite their solo activity, the Strokes stick by their promise of a fourth album and hint at a sound that will be a cross between Thin Lizzy and A-Ha. -AFP
