Yours to Keep - Albert Hammond Jr.
On his solo debut, Strokes guitarist Albert Hammond Jr. doesn’t stray far from his main band’s aesthetic. With help from Sean Lennon, Ben Kweller and Strokes frontman Julian Casablancas, “Yours to Keep” oozes with Strokes-ian urban coolness, though Hammond tones down a bit of the swagger and adds a touch of sweetness. “Cartoon Music for Superheroes,” with its toy piano, is a dream-like lullaby; the ukulele and whistling on “Call an Ambulance” are fitting for a stroll in the park; and the sing-songy “Bright Young Things” is pleasantly hazy and catchy. There are a handful of cuts that would have worked on a Strokes album, including first single “101″ and “In Transit.” Hammond has found the middle ground between hip edginess and pop playfulness.
