2001 was the year of The Strokes, the group that suddenly became the coolest band on earth with gritty New York rock and stylish nonchalance. Eight years later, singer and songwriter Julian Casablancas looks as cool as possible from the cover of his first solo record. But the hair looks too blow-dried and his designer lace-up boots look too expensive and polished on a portrait where nothing seems
… to be left to chance. Polished up is exactly what this record sounds like. Basically many songs would be suitable for The Strokes, but Casablancas now performs these in slick synthipop arrangements. It says something about his songwriting skills that his songs lend themselves to this just as easily. As a listener it takes some getting used to. Stripped of the energy and fury of yesteryear, the tight and clear sung melodies of Casablancas sometimes seem almost childish. All those bleeping and bleeping electronics and rhythm boxes add to that. (MR)more
