Customer Reviews

Phrazes For The Young

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Not many albums out there like this today. Awesome blend of pop, synth, rock, classic, r&b, and just about anything else you can think of. The lyrics are often good, sometimes great, sometimes lacking. The solos range from VERY GOOD (Glass) to VERY BAD (River of Brakelights). Julian is obviously the brains behind The Strokes, and his solo effort completely overshadows any of the other members' works. This man is just on another level.
1) Out of the Blue - Good lyrics, decent music, sounds like something you would find on a Strokes album except for the added synth. Good way to open up the album but nothing really too special. 8/10
2) Left & Right in the Dark - One of my favorite tracks on the album. It has a very catchy chorus and really does well in building up energy. This is one of the poppier sounding songs on the album. 10/10
3) 11th Dimension - Awesome first single. Really shows Julian knows how to write a very radio friendly dance track that makes you want move around a bit haha. The lyrics on this one are among the best on the album. It seems to reflect a lot of how Julian was a shy person and all that stuff. 10/10
4) 4 Chords of the Apocalypse - This song kind of reminds me of a bluesy Beatles song, especially around the chorus. The music isn't anything that really jumps out at you but the lyrics are decent and the overall mood of the song really breaks up the album pretty well. 8/10
5) Ludlow st. - This was one of the songs used on the preview video for the album, and as such I expected it to be a stand out track. It's not. If there was one song I could do without on this album, it would be this one. Not to say it's a bad song, but following 4 Chords up with this track doesn't make much sense to me. Ludlow st seems to be building up to something the entire track but it never gets there. It reminds me a lot of "On the Otherside" off "First Impressions of Earth" so if you like that, maybe you'll like this? 6/10
6) River of Brakelights - Although I didn't love it right away, this is probably my favorite track on the album at this point. The solo is AWFUL but the rest of the song more than makes up for it. The lyrics are the best of the album, the music is awesome, the way it builds is awesome, Jules' screaming the chorus is awesome. Great song. 10/10
7) Glass - Probably my second favorite track on the album. This one was also used on the promo for the album but unlike Ludlow st, it definitely lives up to my anticipation of it being a stand out track. The lyrics are pretty good, the beat is great, the solo is AMAZING. This songs creates a very cool atmosphere and that's where it really stands out. 10/10
8) Tourist - Although I don't love the chorus so much, the verse is awesome. The beat is amazing on this one, it's a great track to close the album out on. Kinda makes me wish there were more than 8 tracks. 9/10

...with this album and give it a chance. Upon first listen, it may seem a bit discombobulated and perplexing, but after a few takes, I realized this could be the album I have been waiting for in 2009. It is haunting and epic, but please don't go in thinking this is the next Strokes album without the rest of the band -- this is a great experiment that stands by itself, for itself.

What a complete surprise this album turned out to be; from the opening chords of ''Out of the Blue'' (my favourite cut on the album) to the galloping first single ''11th Dimension'', the Strokes frontman has managed to produce a non-Strokes album with some of the best of their elements intact. The expected guitar angst has been traded in for electronic elements and it sure as hell works-- that's not to say there are no guitars because they're on here but playing second fiddle to everything else instead. Excellent production and Julian's pitch perfect vocals make for an album I expect to be on the player for a big chunk of 2010. ''Ludlow St'' is the only track that sounds like a b-side or bonus track; the rest more than holds its own. An excellent debut solo offering from Mr. Casablancas.

This album still holds a bit of Strokes appeal but it takes it to a whole new level. I really feel as though I'm listening to something completely original. This is the Strokes re-imagined. I find that it truly possesses the creativity and originality people were looking for in Strokes music after "Is This It". The beats are exciting and almost always engaging, the lyrics are thoughtful, and Casablancas' vocals are beautiful and varied. I do think the album sags a little in the center when it slows down, but songs like "4 Chords of the Apocalypse" and "Ludlow St." are still worth listening to. At least the vocals do not drone forever like in "Ask Me Anything" (First Impressions of Earth). In that album I felt Casablancas was almost holding back his band with his (sometimes) painfully boring vocals. This album proves Casablancas is the true artistic genius behind the Strokes, and he still has plenty of creativity left to share.

This is a great little album. It blends more on an electronic sound and the dead pan vocals that one would expect from the lead singer of the Strokes. It has catchy hooks like on the single 11th dimension and really the whole album needs to be listened to. It is more experimental than anything the Strokes have done. I was pleasantly surprised by this, nice work.

I love this album so much! I like The Strokes too, and I'm buying 2 of their albums right now actually, but I got this CD because I saw JC on The Tonight Show with Conan (not with Jay Leno, he's a hack) late last year and thought the first single from the CD, 11th Dimension, was really catchy and fantastic. So I bought the whole album when it came out last year and now I'm insanely in love with it. I even went to see J.C. in concert a couple of days ago and got to meet him after the show. The show was so great and he was super-sweet to the hundreds of fans that stuck around after the show to have him sign stuff. Anyway, I highly recommend it.

I have to admit I may be a bit biased, I absolutely LOVE the strokes. I've followed their solo projects and have enjoyed them all. When I heard 11th Dimension the first time, I couldn't believe the synth-y sound...and was a bit off put. However, after listening to the whole album I love it and it leaves me wanting for more. Can't wait for the new strokes album...but this fix will do for now.

After the release of the Strokes' third album "First Impressions of Earth" and the subsequent tour, the band went on an unofficial hiatus which is still lasting to this day. But it provided the various members an opportunity to stretch their musical legs. My favorite comes from Albert Hammond Jr. who has issued two albums, one better than the other: "Yours to Keep" in 2007 and "Como Te Llama" in 2008. Now singer-songwriter Julias Casablancas joins the fray and issues his own solo album amidst high expectations.

"Phrazes For the Young" (8 tracks; 40 min.) is the classic case of a traditional A and B side to the vinyl album of old. The first 4 songs make up Side A and the opener "Out of the Blue" is by far the most commercially sounding track on here, and somewhat reminiscent of the classic Strokes sound of strumming electric guitars. "Left & Right in the Dark" and "11th Dimension" also are quite pleasant to the ear. Side A concludes with a pensive "4 Cords of the Apocalypse". As the next 4 song cycle gets underway, it made me realize that the further you go along in the album, the less and less it sounds like the Strokes, so for anyone expecting a Strokes album in all-but-name, save your money and don't buy this. Side B starts with a strangely mesmerizing "Ludlow St.", bringing a hotchpotch of sounds with brass, Eastern influences and more, but somehow it works great. "River of Brakelights" and "Glass" continues the now-ever stranger journey with yet more enticing musical adventures. By the time we get to the closing track "Tourist", a mid-tempo track with gorgeous musical layering that feels like a catharsis. It is my second favorite track on the album and a great way to close out the album.

Don't make too much about there "only" being 8 tracks on here. They are all around the 5 min. mark, and I never felt that this was a "Strokes-like" short album. In a recent music magazine interview of Casablancas, I read that he has high hopes for mainstream-commercial success for this album, which truly surprised me, I mean, really?. I can see one track, tops, getting some commercial radio airplay, and even that is doubtful, given the sorry state of commercial radio. Not that this reflects poorly on this album, not at all. If you are not looking for a carbon-copy Strokes-like album, I venture you will be very pleasantly surprised. I know I certainly have been.

I'm usually suspicious of solo projects from a member of an already awesome band, mainly because they just aren't as good. This is an exception. Besides having the coolest name ever, Julian Casablancas is also a genius songwriter (just listen to any Strokes CD...), and his talent is not restricted to Strokes projects.

"Phrazes for the Young" is a delicious ride through a carefully crafted world of synth-ey beats, amazing vocals, and sincere emotion. With only eight tracks encompassing nearly 40 minutes, I am always left wanting more. But despite the brevity, there is a song for every mood.

The first track, "Out of the Blue," is passionate but fun, with incredibly catchy lyrics--a great way to open an album. "Glass" and "Tourist" are definitely tied for my favorite. They both have AWESOME phrases that stay wonderfully stuck in your head (I've been walking around hearing "bullet-proooooof...vest!" for a few weeks now...). And then there's the first single, "11th Dimension," the most eighties sounding track with a correspondingly retro music video. It is campy and intriguing, without taking itself too seriously. I'm usually not a huge fan of music videos, but I'd take the four minutes to watch it on youtube--it's fun, cheesy, and features some surprisingly good acting from Casablancas.

The album as a whole has a slew of influences, from eighties pop to Johnny Cash to a bit of soul (and I hear a little bit of Thom Yorke in his voice), without being contrived. It is clearly a bit of an experiment, and I think that Casablancas' willingness to take chances generally pays off, with the occasional awkward moment (most notably the bizarre and grating "River of Brakelights").

Casablancas' first solo effort is full of surprises that caught me off guard, and it took a few listens to really grow on me. There is an exquisite complexity to the album that prompts a craving for repeated listens. Let the genius of "Phrazes" sweep you away--you won't be sorry.

Well I will start by saying I enjoyed the album. Its actually awesome that the Strokes split up and gave us all these great albums. (Little Joy, Nickel Eye, Albert Hammond Jr, Megapuss). Its a darn good album it gets 3 1/2 stars in my opinion. I think a 4 star album should be a contender for album of the year (so if you feel that way by all means give it 4 stars, i don't feel that way about this album though), and i think 5 star means its close to perfect/a classic you will hear about years from now. This album is definitely not a 5 star album. But don't get me wrong its still darn good and Strokes fans will like it. I just want to balance the reviews out a bit, since i think 5 stars is a strong statement for this album.

I also see a lot of people say how creative and genius this album is... Well I hate to sound so negative (i gave it 3 1/2 stars after all!) but this sound is just the Strokes done electronically. Its not something new, its just the band sound replaced by Julian doing electronic Strokes in a studio... Which isn't bad, but I don't understand the praise of it either. There is a drum machine through out which gets real old by the time you are done with the whole album. And the lyrics/Julian's voice are IDENTICAL to Strokes stuff; so again by the end i was bored with his voice. I hate to sound negative on it but again i feel the need for balance in reviews...

Personally I think if you are looking for "creative" or new from the Strokes I would go with Albert Hammond Jr's album(s)which i enjoyed more than this; they have much more diversity, stray further from Strokes territory, and he changes up his singing style more often. Also Fabrizio Moretti joined Little Joy and Megapuss showing he obviously has talent as a drummer and those albums are super fun and well done as well. Nickel Eye is Nikolai Fraiture's solo project, and to tell the truth I would rather listen to Julian's album here, but I would have to argue that Nikolai Fraiture's is actually way more creative (different from strokes) and shows more talent on paper than Julian's.

This wasn't a hate rant, I gave it 3 1/2 stars, its good! :) I just felt like responding to some of the other reviews. Just reading the glowing praise in some of them i dont see this album as steps above the other guys stuff.... In some aspects it falls short in my opinion. i say if you like the Strokes, this is perfect for you. I also say give all the side projects a try, and if rumors are true they are gonna make a new Strokes album again soon, so we all benefited in my eyes!