Categories : Music Reviews.
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Rating: 4 / 5 Reviewer: Nathan Atnikov |
Who would’ve thought back in 2001 that the frizzy-haired, doe-eyed Albert Hammond, Jr would end up being the coolest Stroke? His sophomore album, Como Te Llama?, is even stronger and more focused than his unjustly ignored debut, swimming with pop-rock riffs that must have his bandmates wondering if he was holding out on them during the sessions for First Impressions of Earth.
Hammond is experimenting here, but only in the context of finding as many different ways as he can to make a catchy melody. ‘Bargain of the Century’ channels ‘70s space-rock, while the next track ‘In My Room’ could’ve just as easily been found on Is This It? ‘Spooky Couch’ is uniquely listenable for seven minutes of guitar noodling, and then transitions into the Clash-like reggae of ‘Borrowed Time.’
Hammond isn’t afraid to try anything on Como Te Llama?, and almost everything works. Let’s hope he’s on his game like this for the next Strokes album.
