Phrazes For The Young

Whoa the long-awaited Phrazes For The Young is finally here. From the first two tracks '11th Dimension' and 'River Of Brakelights' that were previewed prior to the release, we already knew it would have some electronic elements in Julian Casablancas' solo debut, there was also the country-tinged 'Ludlow St.' with a banjo solo and the electronic folky 'Tourist'. Nevertheless with Casablancas' distinct vocal, we still could hear a hint of The Strokes in the tracks. Casablancas never dissappoint, this is the album all The Strokes' fans must lay their hands on. This is rad.

Julian Casablancas - Ludlow St.
Julian Casablancas - Tourist

Julian Casablancas - River of Brakelights

The release date of Phrazes For The Young has been postponed! It’s not due out until November 3rd, which it's a shame. To compensate this, Jules is kind enough to post a track off his official site.

Titled “River Of Brakelights”, the track starts off with an unusual gangster rap opening, before leading to the chorus of usual glorious Julian distinctive vocal - ”Getting the hang of it/ Timing is everything", over a rush of driving guitars and rapid drum work. Awesome stuff.

From the sounds of it, Phrazes For The Young is likely to be a heavily electronic album. Oh well what isn't nowadays? Looking foward to it very much.

Julian Casablancas - River of Brakelights

Affair with The Strokes

Anything The Strokes-related, we need to lay our hands on it. This Metric's cover of The End Has No End heard on Triple J makes no exception. I need Julian Casablancas' debut album like now!

Metric - The End Has No End (The Strokes cover)

Julian Casablancas' 11th Dimension

The first taste of Strokes frontman Julian Casblancas' solo effort 'Phrazes For The Young' is finally here!

The track, titled ‘11th Dimension’, sees Casablancas opted for a much complicated and more produced sound, rather than simple Strokes rock 'n roll. Similar to Yeah Yeah Yeahs, the guitars have been traded in for synths of electro-pop. With catchy disco melodies, sweet organ links and Casablancas’ trademark vocal, this track is definitely a grower. But for now, it's really just nice to hear his voice again.

'Phrazes For The Young' is due 20 Oct.

Julian Casablancas - 11th Dimension

Where is The Strokes' next album?

We all know the hiatus of The Strokes is killing us softly. But fear not, our beloved Julian Casablancas teams up with Sparklehorse and Dangermouse to create a soulful, dynamic jam entitled 'Little Girl', off the joint project 'Dark Night of The Soul'. It’s a rock track, with a hint of dark avant-garde. The electric guitar riff, played by Julian, could well be straight off a Strokes effort. Coupled with his endearingly moody vocal and sparks of morse code, this phenomenal track could well be rotating on my playlist for quite some time.

And that's not all, Casablancas too lent his vocal to SNL member cast and writer trio, The Lonely Island for 'Boombox', a hillarious track from 'Incredibad' about er, the story of a boombox’s power to bring love to any society. Not the type of songs I usually listen to nor does Julian usually sings in one, the vocal is still amazing nevertheless.

Following his warm vocal on 'My Drive Thru' last year, these glimpses of The Strokes frontman in action certainly satisfy our craving, well at least for now.

Danger Mouse & Sparklehorse - Little Girl (feat Julian Casablancas)

The Lonely Island - Boombox (feat Julian Casablancas)

Nickel Eye - The Times of The Assasins

I seriously wonder just how talented those five New Yorkers are? Just like most of the rest of the band, Nikolai Fraiture, always seen as the "quiet one' in The Strokes, has embarked upon a side-project release valve for songs he’s been accumulating. Known as Nickel Eye, Nikolai creates The Times of The Assasins, a mid-‘70s funk, country, blues and rock record, which sounds different from any Strokes' material.

In general the album uses an acoustic approach, giving it a shuffling, laid-back country vibe. Only a Stroke could combine ethnic folk and American Country and pull it off. The true highlight of the album has to be the ska-influenced "Brandy of the Damned” which its groovy basslines have more hooks than a fisherman's hat. However, it’s definitely not all about the bass. Nikolai jumps from the whistle-led "This Is The End" to "Another Sunny Afternoon"with cheerful harmonicas and an folksy upbeat guitar riff, as well as a beautiful moment of piano ballad "Where the Cold Wind Blows”, with special apperance from Regina Spector. Each song in the album is a unique gem.

Although The Time of the Assassins is definitely not a substitute for The Strokes' fourth record, it is an interesting insight into the creative mind of another member of the band. If songwriting was to become more of a democracy in the Strokes, maybe the creative possibilites of their next album could see them once again upping the bar. Can't hardly wait!

Nickel Eye - Another Sunny Afternoon
Nickel Eye - This Is The End
Nickel Eye - Where The Cold Wind Blows

More Than Little Joy

We need a little updates on The Strokes, don't we? While Julian Casablancas has became a restaurateur with the likes of Mark Ronson, Steve Aoki and Gerard Butler, Fabrizio Moretti keeps himself busy with a new musical project. Little Joy is a Brazilian/American rock band which consists of Los Hermanos's Rodrigo Amarante and the ever cool Fab with his girlfriend Binki Shapiro. Their debut is due to be released by Rough Trade on 4th November 2008. A first listen to Little Joy's Brand New Start, you won't be blamed for thinking this is a full The Strokes band in action for Rodrigo's crooning that sound ridiculously similar to Jules. This is a stripped down, quieter version of The Strokes with a little Latin vibe which I absolutely have no complaints about. What an appropriate band name, it definitely bring joys, but more than little to us.

Little Joy - Brand New Start

Little Joy - Keep Me In Mind

The Vocalist and The Bassist

Seems like Albert is not the only Stroke being productive during the band's time-off. Julian Casablancas has collaborated with Santogold and N.E.R.D. and came out with 'My Drive Thru', a track commissioned by Converse to commemorate the centennial of the Chuck Taylor. Coupled with with a catchy chiming bell/guitar riff, My Drive Thru is a perfect blend of perfectly produced vocal delights and summery goodness. From the numerous reptitions of play of the track, we are certainly missing Casablancas's wonderful drunk-like vocal.

Santogold, Julian Casablancas & N.E.R.D. - My Drive Thru

This pretty much came out of nowhere but apart from Albert and Jules, bass guitar aside, Nikolai Fraiture is currently working on a solo project. Under the name 'Nickel Eye', the album entitled 'The Time of the Assassins' will be released in the fall. Many special guests will be featured including Joel Cadbury, Jamie McDonald, Brett Shaw of British rockband South as well as Nick Zinner of Yeah Yeah Yeahs, playing guitar on the track 'Dying Star'.

Nickel Eye - Dying Star
Nickel Eye - Brandy Of The Damned

All these probably mean a longer 4th album delay, but now that Nikolai and Albert can sing backup for Jules, the creative possibilities for the forthcoming Strokes' materials are brewing real nice.

The Guitarist and The Drummer

When our all-time favourite The Strokes went on hiatus, Albert Hammond Jr. is here to please the eager fans. He proceeded on with his sophomore album after a mild success with his solo debut Yours To Keep. New album ¿Cómo Te Llama? is set to be released on 7th July, but will be available on iTunes in advance from 17th June. The title of 'What's Your Name?' in Spanish is hints at the classic, summery music held within. Other than the band Matt Romano, Marc Philippe Eskenazi and Josh Lattanzi, personal friends are also featured in the records like Sean Lennon plays piano on 'Spooky Couch', and the string quartet of Earl Maneein (violin), Matt Szemela (violin), Jon Weber (viola) and Jessie Reagen (cello) demonstrates the bolder and more electic sound Albert attempts in this album. 'GfC' is the first single lifted from the album, and it certainly promises some greatness in ¿Cómo Te Llama? With a summer tour already penciled for Albert, it sure will be a long time before we hear any news from The Strokes.

Albert Hammond Jr. - GfC
Albert Hammond Jr. - Bargain of the Century

Like Albert Hammond Jr.'s debut Yours To Keep, Razorlight's drummer Andy Burrows solo debut The Colour of My Dreams is made up of beatles-esque and guitar-driven tunes which are perfect for a breezy summer late night. Andy has demonstrated his song-writing skills in his band in songs like 'America' and 'Before I Fall to Pieces' and his lovely vocal in a cover of The Beatles' 'With A Little Help from My Friends' in a tribute to Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band 40th Anniversary. While Johnny Borrell is chasing his dream of rocker-ego as strong as Bono, Andy Burrows is pursuing a more subtle dream for charity cause. The album will be released on 26th May with the aim of raising funds and awareness to a Winchester children’s home, Naomi House, and their Jack’s Place appeal. The Colour of My Dreams was written and recorded at home by Andy, and was conceived during a break in Razorlight activity when the drummer stumbled across a book of poems by an old family friend and began setting them to music. The result is an easy-listening album with simple acoustic tunes that clock just under 20 minutes.

Andy Burrows - Boxes
Andy Burrows - Winter

-Sim-

Teddy Picker

Already a fan favourite, ‘Teddy Picker’ is set to be released as the third single from Arctic Monkeys' sophomore album, 'Favourite Worst Nightmare' on December 3. As for B-sides, the Sheffield lads have teamed up with Richard Hawley for a duet and recorded a version of 'Bad Woman', a cover of Pat Farrell And The Believers' 1969 track. Also we can hear an instrumental track titled 'The Death Ramps' as well as 'Nettles, a short and upbeat trademark song of them. These two songs are too released by Artic Monkeys on a limited edition vinyl under a pseudonym called The Death Ramps.

Arctic Monkeys - Bad Woman
Arctic Monkeys - The Death Ramps
Arctic Monkeys - Nettles

The track comes with a Strokes-ish video directed by Roman Coppola, which features the band in a recording studio performing the song. Coppola is literally only able to make the same type of video but having said that, he has perfected it. The Strokes should definitely take him back.

Shabop Shalom

Psych-folk singer-songwrite Devendra Banhart has just released his latest album, Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon. What amazed me is that one of the tracks features The Strokes' guitarist, Nick Valensi in backing vocals. It is definitely a rare scene to see him sing. The song starts with a rather hilarious spoken words moment by Nick about the story of being tempted by a rabbi's daughter, which he then goes on to provide some vocal percussion. 50's doo-wop style with barbershop harmonies, this track is brilliant and very much enjoyable.


Devendra Banhart - Shabop Shalom

Take It, Don't Leave It

I thought it was a joke, but it actually exists!
My favourite band covers my another favourite band. Audioscrobbler never lie.

Arctic Monkeys - Take It Or Leave It (The Strokes Cover)

Albert Gets A Star

Albert Hammond Jr.'s album "Yours To Keep" is going to drop on 9th October, but thanks to our favourite music magazine/website, we get to preview the album. If you are expecting some very stroke-ish rock tunes, then you will be dissapointed. The tracks are in fact rather poppish and beatles-esque. After giving it a few spins, I actually enjoy it. With its guitar-driven and simple tunes, this is a album that will grow with more listens. Other than the three songs streamed on Myspace, the more memorable tracks upon few listens include Call An Ambulance and Hard To Live (In The City). The Strokes' fans would be most familiar with the track "In Transit" of which the original version has been featured on the band's mini documentary of the same title.

To sum it all, Albert's solo work is as cool as his fro.
Call An Ambulance
Hard To Live (In The City)

I just found out that my mother has been to Albert Hammond's (his father) concert. Looks like we all love the Hammond family.

Papa Hammond's 70s hit,
It Never Rains In Southern California

Randoms

Today is Julian Casablancas' 28th birthday. Messy, bed-headish hair with vintage clothing and Converse style shoes is the signature look of this frontman of hipster band The Strokes. He shares his birthday with Keith Moon, drummer of legendary rock band The Who, 80's young icon late River Phoenix and LA Laker Kobe Bryant.

Something irrelevant now, I am going to catch some muthafuckin' snakes on a muthafuckin' plane later. The film being an internet phenomenon, I'll have to see whether this best worst film of this summer could live up all the hype. Anyway, I kind of like the theme song to this film. It is catchy and has the right amount of cheesiness in it that it suits just right for the film.

Cobra Starship - Snakes On A Plane (Bring It)

Yours To Keep

We all have heard Albert Hammond Jr. sings in The Strokes' home video In Transit, now he is up with a solo project playing double roles of vocalist and guitarist. Josh Lattanzi takes on bass and Matt Romano is on drums. The one-fifth of The Strokes will release an album entitled "Yours To Keep" exclusively in the U.K. on October 9th. Fellow Stroke Julian Casablancas, Ben Kweller (once collaborated in a cover of The Beatles' Wait), Fountains of Wayne's Jody Porter, Sean Lennon, The Mooney Suzuki's Sammy James Jr. , Ryan Gentles (band manager cum the sixth Stroke cum musician cum best friend) and some other big names will be featured in various tracks in the album. The album comes in addition to Albert's role in The Strokes - no worry he is not leaving the band.

Tracklisting:
1. Cartoon Music for Superheroes (Goodnight)
2. In Transit
3. Everyone Gets A Star [download]
4. Call An Ambulance
5. Blue Skies
6. Back To The 101 [download]
7. Bright Young Thing
8. Scared [download]
9. Holiday
10. Hard to Live in the City

Melbourne rock band Jet is back with its sophomore album titled Shine On, scheduled for release in October 2nd. The first single 'Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is' is on the current playlist of some radio stations, and will be released on September 18th. Jet was a supporting act for Oasis during the latter's 2005 tour for Don't Believe the Truth, and strange enough a track of Oasis is also named 'Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is'. I thought it was some kind of joke when I first heard the song. The falsetto vocal sounded like a girl, when the chorus kicked in, only then I confirmed it was really Jet.

Jet - Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

Mercy, Mercy Me

The Strokes team up with Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder and Queens Of The Stone Age's Josh Homme to record a cover of Marvin Gaye's classic hit "Mercy Mercy Me". The song will be a b-side of You Only Live Once" single which is scheduled to be released in mid July. Well, you don't have to wait until July, here is the mp3:

The Strokes (feat. Eddie Vedder & Josh Homme)- Mercy, Mercy Me

Drummer Boy

Hope I wasn't too late on posting this, yesterday was Fabrizio Moretti's 26th birthday. The drummer of NY coolest band The Strokes is dating actress Drew Barrymore, and a trademark of his is vintage Coca-Cola shirts. The curly-haired Fab shares his birthday with Charlie Watts, also a drummer of legendary rock band The Rolling Stones. Since the World Cup craze is sweeping the whole world, I shall just throw in a little soccer bits - yesterday was also Argentinian young sensation, Sergio Agüero's birthday. Also sharing the same birthday are Keane's pianist Tim Rice-Oxley and American geeky actor Justin Long.

Speaking of drums, I will be attending my first drumming lesson at Ironwood tommorow. Some might think there's nothing to shout about, but I am very excited for I've been wanting it for so long. Guess I shall wear the one and only vintage Coca-Cola shirt of mine to hit those drums!

The Strokes (written by Fabrizio Moretti) - Clear Skies
Sufjan Stevens - Happy Birthday
The Polyphonic Spree - Little Drummer Boy


p/s: Happy birthday to you too, Patrick Kua.

Someone Else's Dream

This morning, my sister told me she had a very strange dream the night before, and even stranger I was also in it. The dream goes like this, me and my sister were at Rock Corner, a record shop; I was ready to buy an Adam Green's album, and my sister was there to forbid me to do so, but I insisted. When she has finished with her story, I was like 'what the heck'. I have heard a couple Green's songs, but was never into him. The fact that I even tried to listen to Green was because he has toured with fellow New Yorker, The Strokes before, and he bears an uncanny resemblance to Julian Casablancas. Now I've got a clue, anything associated with The Strokes appearing in my sister dream is definitely not strange.

Youth Group - Someone Else's Dream

Amos Lee - Dreamin'

Broken Social Scene - Ibi Dreams of Pavement

The Coral - Dreaming of You

Kingsize - Rock n Roll Dreams

Albert, The Birthday Boy

Whoa, it has been a while since i last posted about The Strokes - The coolest ever band on earth.

Today is one of its member, Albert Hammond Jr's 27th birthday. In case you don't know, he is the big-afro dude always seen wearing formal suits and playing guitar in high horizontal position. He shares his birthday (9th April) with Gerald Way (My Chemical Romance), Robbie Fowler and Dennis Quaid.

According to a recent NME article, it was said by the band's best friend, Adam Green that Albert is recording a solo album, though there is no further information. Well, we will have to wait and see...

Check out these Albert's songs:

The Strokes (Albert Hammond Jr.) - Elephant Song

The Strokes (Albert Hammond Jr.) - Obstinate

Ben Kweller (ft. Albert Hammond Jr.) - Wait (The Beatles Cover)

Updated by YS

Malaysia vs Singapore

Let's compare:

Malaysia
28/2 Fort Minor

16/3 Lionel Richie

18/3 Dj Tiesto

Singapore

24/1 Backstreet Boys

16/2 Franz Ferdinand (f*cking brilliant!)

23/2 Oasis

1/3 Fort Minor

16/3 Kings of Convenience

17/3 Jason Mraz

23/3 Placebo

30/3 Damien Rice

4/4 Jamie Cullum

30/4 Simple Minds

These are the international acts that play in my homeland and the 'beloved' neighbour in the past few months or the near future. Well, see the difference? Guess Malaysia isn't that boleh anyway.

However,

"...Kauai or Oahu, Molokai and Lanai.
Maui and the big guy, aka Hawaii.

Cut off from Malaysia back in who knows when...

Oh, we got kinda lost, but my god, what a place.
I profess, Airforce jets cannot take away my soul."

(Exerpt from The Strokes' Juicebox B-side Hawaii)

At least The Strokes know the existence of Malaysia, which makes this so-called Boleh-land slightly cooler.