Phrazes For The Young

This album still holds a bit of Strokes appeal but it takes it to a whole new level. I really feel as though I'm listening to something completely original. This is the Strokes re-imagined. I find that it truly possesses the creativity and originality people were looking for in Strokes music after "Is This It". The beats are exciting and almost always engaging, the lyrics are thoughtful, and Casablancas' vocals are beautiful and varied. I do think the album sags a little in the center when it slows down, but songs like "4 Chords of the Apocalypse" and "Ludlow St." are still worth listening to. At least the vocals do not drone forever like in "Ask Me Anything" (First Impressions of Earth). In that album I felt Casablancas was almost holding back his band with his (sometimes) painfully boring vocals. This album proves Casablancas is the true artistic genius behind the Strokes, and he still has plenty of creativity left to share.

"Phrazes for the Young" is a musically and emotionally brave album. Its lyrics discard the easy poses of nihilism and boredom for the hard work of communicating something: the wisdom gained by an individual (Casablancas, that is) who's experienced every trial, travail, and triumph of a life in which he's been hailed the next-big-thing and (prematurely, obviously) declared a has-been. Musically, Casablancas has somehow built cathartic, transcendent, timeless, and endlessly engaging songs around '80s-style synth riffs that would have verged on sounding cheesy even in their heyday. I agree with other reviewers that the two country/bluesy ballads in the album's middle are not "Phrazes" strongest tracks--but careful listening reveals their depths...as well as pleasant evocations of Brian Eno and Lou Reed exploring similarly unfamiliar terrain. Buy this album. Live with it and learn with it. You'll love it.

If I could give it 10 stars I would. In my opinion Julian's best music even better than the Strokes. Wish he would write more songs like this. I can listen to this over and over again and I do especially when I feel stressed. I wish he had put Little Girl on this CD.

I purchased this album about 8 months ago, and I'm still listening to the hell out of it. I ended up buying this after buying the live 4 track album Julian has that contains 'I'll Try Anything Once', and I do not regret it. 'Out of the Blue' just builds layer after layer as the song progresses, and the drums really drive the song. '11th Dimension' is just an epic-sounding track. There are a few more songs that I like on the album, but it seems like I am always finding something new in the songs that I haven't heard before. I can't wait for the next album!

I'm a huge Strokes fan, but for some reason never knew Julian Casablancas made a solo album. When I heard "Out Of The Blue" the first time, it really hit me hard due to a bad break-up I recently went through. The lyrics were precisely everything I feel, and the instrumental work is catchy. I seriously cant stop listening to it! (It might be a problem) The rest of the album is full of greatness as well. "Left and Right in the Dark" and "11 chord Apocolypse" are stand outs as well. I highly recommend this!

Listen about 5x and you'll start to like it.There are 3 fantastic tracks in this album that make it worth it if you are sick of pop / typical indie tracks.Refreshing and I have yet to hear anyone with such a great, unique voice.Will spice up any playlist.Best of the track (I'm very picky so it's shocking I even like this many!):Out of the blueLeft and right in the darkLudlow Street (great lyrics)Tourist

...with this album and give it a chance. Upon first listen, it may seem a bit discombobulated and perplexing, but after a few takes, I realized this could be the album I have been waiting for in 2009. It is haunting and epic, but please don't go in thinking this is the next Strokes album without the rest of the band -- this is a great experiment that stands by itself, for itself.

This is a very creative album with a variety of unique sounds and rhythms. There is an eclectic array of instruments adding great layers to each tune. There are some good lyrics on here too. You can definitely tell he is part of the Strokes sound on some tracks, but then it is even more cool to hear where he diverges from that sound to one all his own. The more I listen the more I like.

El primer disco de Julian de solista.. Idie pop fresco y entretenido fabricado con un gran pressing en vinilo y a un precio excelente.

I was so excited to get this vinyl as it has a personal significance to me. Unfortunately, I bought it through a US seller and once I realized my two favorite tracks skipped (clear defects in vinyl surface), was approved for a refund. Well I’ll need to pay almost exactly what I paid for the album to return it!! The seller only offered me a measly 10% discount to account for the vinyl defect.

É um álbum que eu acordo de madrugada pra ouvir. É um álbum que me faz esquecer que estou no meio de uma pandemia, de máscara e apavorado dentro de um ônibus sem destino. Todas as músicas são perfeitas, mas Glass e Tourist se tornaram dois portos seguros. E é claro que um dia eu teria esse álbum perfeito em LP. Universo, obrigado duas vezes. Julian, valeu por dividir essas canções maravilhosas conosco.

Must have.

is a great album by Julian Casablancas & I wish he'd release more solo stuff. But another Voidz or Strokes album would be great too. Anything by JC ❤ is just fine by me