Sneak Peek Review: Solo Album from Strokes' Singer Feels Familiar

Rumors of the death of The Strokes have been greatly exaggerated. Sort of. Though the band as an entity has been extremely quiet since the January 2006 release of their last record, First Impressions of Earth, the members of The Strokes have been busy with solo efforts and side projects. For fans, these efforts produce the ultimate paradox; one wants to see the band members succeed and produce enjoyable music, but too much success may lead to an uncertain future for the band. After all, if one member has success on his own, he may not want to return to a full band setting, where compromise and competition can complicate things.

The latest member of The Strokes to churn out a solo effort is singer Julian Casablancas, who is set to release Phrazes for the Young on November 3. And while the record alone isn't so outstanding that it will doom The Strokes, it may prompt Casablancas to want to explore his solo side a bit more.

From the very beginning, Phrazes for the Young almost feels as though it could be a Strokes album. And that's not just because it bears the voice of Casablancas. The first song, "Out of the Blue," begins with simple, steady percussion relying heavily on the snare and little else. This is paired with rapidly strummed guitar chords played in a very similar tone to the one used on Strokes albums. Even the bouncing riff that comes in later sounds reminiscent of The Strokes; perhaps it's just difficult for Casablancas to break out of his stylistic comfort zone. The lyrics, though seem to indicate some sort of rift within the band, as he sings, "Somewhere along the way, my hopefulness turned to sadness. Somewhere along the way my sadness turned to bitterness. Somewhere along the way, my bitterness turned to anger." However, the lines get a bit more ridiculous and the connection is strained when Casablancas sings of "going to hell in a purple basket." Whether this song is a statement or not, it will feel very familiar to Strokes fans, with its steady rhythm and simple instrumentation.

The next song, "Left and Right in the Dark," offers indications of a little more experimentation, as it begins with some synthesizer and echoing guitar chords. Of course, it's not long before a Strokes-esque noodling guitar riff can be heard in the background. Casablancas does push himself by actually singing in the chorus, as opposed to relying on the casual, almost lethargic delivery he usually employs. This song has a slightly funky feel, but it still isn't completely out of the realm of The Strokes' style.

"11th Dimension" continues the funkiness, dropping the guitar chords and opting for some brazen synth instead. Casablancas pushes an almost religious message here, singing "Forgive them, even if they are not sorry." Casablancas really seems to be enjoying this one, and it's not hard to imagine a smile on his face as he admits, "I've got music coming out of my hands and feet." The highlight of this track comes in the fading moments, as the synthesizer kicks into a syncopated rhythm that provides great contrast to Casablancas' steady delivery.

The following track, "4 Chords of the Apocalypse," slows things down a bit, beginning with Casablancas crooning over a blues-influenced piano line. The lyrics mirror the feel of desolation, as Casablancas sings, "I can hear it in your voice, there's always a catch. We're going nowhere, and we're going there fast." Some momentum builds as the song goes on though, and some crashing guitars lead into a great solo flowing through the middle of the track.

While the rest of the album bounces between styles and alternates synth lines with guitar riffs, there is one consistent theme - this feels very close to a Strokes release. Of course, there's nothing wrong with that - The Strokes have produced some great music and their style (Garage Rock Revival, according to overzealously classifying critics) works very well with Casbalancas' laid-back delivery. But if you're looking for a musical foray into unknown territory, this isn't it. However, Phrazes for the Young will provide something to enjoy during the seemingly interminable wait for the next Strokes album.