Walking the fine line between right and wrong, artificial and genuine, The Strokes’ frontman Julian Casablancas renders a pithy and respectable solo debut with Phrazes for the Young. Produced by Jason Lader with additional efforts from Mike Mogis (Bright Eyes), the album was recorded in L.A., Nebraska and Casablancas’ NYC. Roused by Oscar Wilde’s Phrases and Philosophies for the Use of the Young, it may just be the beginning of a fascination with appearances, the perfection of youth and a life-long romance with oneself. Even though the album cover might itself be interpreted as a modern homage to The Picture of Dorian Gray, the tracks are lighter and saner than the pondering of Wilde. Regardless if there is a judicious connection between the two, it’s a dervish whirling with the first single, 11th Dimension, and a race against time with Left & Right In the Dark. Casablancas, proven to be already a multi-instrumentalist, spikes the entire album with poignant keys and stirs a noteworthy falsetto in one of the toppers of the album, Glass. Tipping the scale to some other end, Ludlow St. tones it down, “surrendering the ego,” to a sobering country song. Jules, as his friends call him, has played in many sandboxes from Albert Hammond Jr., Queens of the Stone Age, Santigold to Andy Samberg, a social butterfly who has briefly clipped its wings to reflect alone. Wandering like a Tourist wherever he goes, he tows an obvious talent for music, and he articulates it best when he drones, “I’ve got music coming out of my hands and feet and kisses.” Although, that ‘phraze’ (as Jules coins it) might be lovelier as “I’ve got music coming out of my hands and feet and gizzards.” Food for thought… At least that’s what I thought he was saying the first time I listened to track three.
Key Tracks: Glass, Ludlow St., 11th Dimension
Moods: Visceral, Searching, Stylish, Energetic, Intense, Rousing
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