Albert Hammond, Jr.
Yours to Keep
Label: New Line Records
Release Date: March 6, 2007

Before his solo debut has even been released, Strokes guitarist Albert Hammond, Jr. has faced luggage theft, a mattress fire in the tour bus, and now according to NME, Hamond was involved in a high speed police chase while leaving Texas:

“It turned out that the cops had been chasing a suspect in a pickup truck in a high speed chase a la OJ Simpson since the Texas state border. It seemed that the pickup was going to get away until he came into contact with youknowwho (us). It appeared that since our trailer has such a wide load-though sadly no such bumper sticker yet-we proved an obstacle passed which no mere pickup truck could speed ahead! But those crazy criminals will do anything to get a laugh, won’t they.

Those knuckleheads smashed into our trailer and spun out of control, crashing into the side ramp, and awaited their vacation in the Texas State Penitentiary . Book ‘em, boys!”

Bad luck or no, Hammond continues his tour to support his new debut album, released in the U.K. (on Rough Trade) last fall and coming to the U.S. in early March.

So you’re asking yourself, what sort of experience does the rhythm guitarist for the Strokes have in writing songs – especially with Casablancas doing most of the heavy lifting?

First, it’s a family talent — Hammond’s dad (singer/songwriter Albert Hammond, Sr.) is known for hits including “It Never Rains in Southern California” and “To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before.”

Second, it turns out Hammond, Jr. co-wrote Room on Fire’s “Automatic Stop” and also wrote songs that appeared on the Strokes’ 2001 tour video, In Transit. So cut him a break, people. Plus, he had help from the likes of Sean Lennon, Ben Kweller and Fountains of Wayne’s Jody Porter, in addition to Casablancas. Life is rough for the privileged.

Opening with a veritable lullaby (”Cartoon Music for Superheroes [Goodnight]”) compared to opening tracks on every Strokes’ album, Hammond does his best to establish distance from his swaggering indie rock counterparts.

Yet that sentiment is quickly forgotten as the second track, “In Transit,” kicks off with extremely catchy, addictive, whistle-worthy riffs, which immediately brings to mind Strokes comparisons that persist for the remainder of the 12-track disc.

Laid back rock with talent seeping from its ears, Yours to Keep is a good indication of Hammond, Jr.’s future with or without the Strokes. With moderate U.K. buzz and ample interest from hipster fans in the U.S., Yours to Keep is not a breakout solo album, but is definitely a breakthrough.

Albert Hammond, Jr. : “In Transit” (mp3)