Title - 'Momentary Masters'
Artist - Albert Hammond Jr.
Sure, ok, I knew nothing much to talk about with regard Albert Louis Hammond, Jr before this CD landed here in the office to review, but come the end of it, well, if anyone is out there singing his praises, you are now preaching to the choir, baby!
The musician and fashion designer, who is best known for playing guitar and keyboards for the indie rock band The Strokes, is also (you shouldn't be surprised to learn) the son of singer-songwriter Albert Hammond (best known for his 1972 hit single "It Never Rains in Southern California").
Hammond, Jr. released his debut album Yours To Keep in 2006 and followed up with Cómo Te Llama? in 2008 and his EP, AHJ in 2013. His third solo album, Momentary Masters, is out now, released through Vagrant Records, and is a pure delight to behold, trust me.
The first track is the fantastic, trippy 'Born Slippy,' and is backed by the equally original-sounding 'Power Hungry.' There's just something about Hammond Jr's vocal tone that flirts back to the good ol' days of creatively-created music, if that makes sense. It's like, whatever he lends his vocals to, it can't go wrong, because the song grows up around his voice. Point in case is the psych rock out of 'Caught By My Shadow,' which in turn is backed by both the gentle 'Coming to Getcha' and the bass-heavy thumb work of 'Losing Touch.'
Having cited a variety of artists as his major influences growing up, such as The Beach Boys, Buddy Holly, Frank Black, Guided By Voices, John Lennon, Matthew Sweet and, of course, The Velvet Underground, Hammond Jr showcases the latter-mentioned on the next track, 'Don't Think Twice.' That is then followed by back-to-back The Strokes'-esque cuts, 'Razors Edge' and 'Touché,' with the album finally being rounded out by 'Drunched In Crumbs' and the brilliantly-titled, pop fun of 'Side Boob.'
www.alberthammondjr.com