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Julian Casablancas
Phrazes For The Young
Campus Correspondent Review By Laura Cebula,
Belmont University
Breaking from successful bands to pursue a solo career can be risky. Musicians can fall into obscurity, such as Jordan Knight of New Kids On The Block, or become rock legends, like John Lennon. Julian Casablancas of The Strokes is the latest artist to diverge from his band to give the solo project a try with his 2009 debut Phrazes For The Young (Cult/ RCA Records).
Recently listed as one of Spin’s “40 Best Albums of 2009,” Phrazes For The Young is different enough from The Stokes’ material to be considered a true solo project, but not too different that longtime Strokes fans will feel betrayed by Casablancas. The opening song, “Out Of The Blue,” is a retrospective and emotional step-by-step look at how Casablancas has treated others he has come into contact with as he sings: “And the ones that I made pay were never the ones who deserved it/ Those who helped me along the way I smacked them as I thanked them.”
“11th Dimension” is an upbeat, synthesizer-heavy song that reads like a lesson from one’s mom with a message of forgiveness and keeping a positive spirit. Casablancas slows it down with “4 Chords Of The Apocalypse,” which possesses a 1950s rhythm and chords reminiscent of a sock-hop dance song. Now, The Strokes is not a ‘80s boy band or the biggest act that ever lived, but rather somewhere in between. Based on Phrazes For The Young, it’s safe to say Casablancas will be remembered for being more like John Lennon than Jordan Knight.
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