Album of the Week: Julian Casablancas’ weak Phrazes

Julian Casablancas: Phrazes for the Young
• MYSPACE • OFFICIAL SITE

If Julian Casablancas’ new CD, Phrazes for the Young, was a movie, I might have walked out midway. The once-and-future lead singer of The Strokes’ first solo record starts out well – a trio of up-tempo, surprisingly groovy songs, culminating in the new wave-ish, new-sounding lead single “11th Dimension.” But it goes off the rails from there, a dud-heavy finish with head-shakingly weak (and slow) tracks like “Tourist,” “River of Brakelights” and “Ludlow St.” I don’t mean to hate so much on Mr. Casablancas – hell, I don’t like to hate much at all, which is why you won’t see me mention Ladies Gaga or Spears on this blog – but as part of one of, if not the most influential band of the decade, I can’t help but have lofty expectations. When’s that new Strokes record coming out? C-

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