A Stellar Second Album
'Cómo Te Llama', or 'What's Your Name?', Albert Hammond Jr's second solo album is a spunky collection of indie musings on love and loss with plenty of the edgy rock spark that fired The Strokes into the charts. It's a sunny album full of indie gems and rough rock tunes with a quirky edge that are sure to delight.
There are wild, frustrated guitar licks such as on the cryptic 'GFC' and jerky indie fun of 'The Boss Americana' with its lead heavy riffs and aching vocals. Opener 'Bargain Of The Century' is a racing mix of shimmying percussion, sultry 60's vocals and sunny, chugging guitar riffs. 'In My Room' is a lithe, cool rock tune with stabbing guitars and an understated but epic chorus
'Victory at Monterey' is one of Hammond's own favourites with a slick percussive dance pulse kicking off the tune before the insouciant, snarling vocals launch and transform into a sharp and edgy chorus that's instantly catchy, even though the guitarwork is sparse and feels more like it's jabbing at your ears than building to the usual chorus peak. 'Borrowed Time' has an almost ska beat that recalls the gusty vocals of The Clash and rusty guitarwork that peters out into a gushing melodic chorus.
With 'G Up' and'You Won't Be Fooled By This' there is a little more of the sweet, jaunty indie that Hammond Jr.'s first album comprised of, with a lazy charm but fairly average feel. 'Miss Myrtle' has some pretty synth licks behind its twee little melody. There's a pretty, delicate instrumental 'Spooky Couch' thrown in or good measure, it's a gentle break from the norm and features piano work from Sean Lennon.
'Como Te Llama' feels a little like Hammond Jr. has got over the need to establish himself as a solo artist and therefore feels more comfortable to introduce some more real rock tunes with a hint of the feisty Strokes edge. It's just what was needed to make an interesting album and goes down very well indeed. There's plenty to love on this album with the uberindie mixed with the rock and some more lazy mellow tunes.