What? With the Strokes on an unofficial hiatus, ragamuffin rhythm guitarist Albert Hammond Jr. has turned efforts inward, developing into quite the self-determined songwriter. And less than a year after the U.S. release of his debut solo set, Yours to Keep, Hammond returns with Como Te Llama?, his sophomore outing, due July 8 via RCA / Black Seal.
Though foraying into Strokes territory (including the crunch of “The Boss Americana” and the intertwining guitar parts of “In My Room”), Llama tenders a fresh diversity, from the ethereal instrumental “Spooky Couch” to the Breeders-meets-Robert Pollard static hum of “Rocket.”
Who? Strokes co-founder Albert Hammond, Jr. who, after three well-received records with the New York retro rockers, released his first solo record, Yours to Keep, in 2007. With cohorts Matt Romano (drums), Marc Philippe Eskenazi (guitar), and Josh Lattanzi (bass), Hammond Jr. recorded Como Te Llama? over five weeks at New York City’s famed Electric Lady studios, again tapping Sean Lennon (also a collaborator alongside Ben Kweller on his debut) to contribute.
Fun Fact: As if recording his second solo album wasn’t enough, Hammond Jr. also found time for his first-ever venture into the production realm, twiddling knobs on up-and-coming NYC rockers the Postelles’ “123 Stop.”Watch video of the quartet at Bonnaroo ’08 performing an acoustic rendition of the song exclusively for SPIN.com.
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Now Hear This: “The Boss Americana” (DOWNLOAD MP3)
