Songs of Note: Albert Hammond Jr.
This has been the hardest installment of “Songs of Note” for me so far. No, it’s not only because I’m writing this on a computer with a 56k internet connection (shudder), but also because Hammond has only had one CD so far, and in my opinion, this CD is a memorialized “work-in-progress.” A lot of the songs on the debut CD are great, but to me, they’re missing a little something. A SPIN article not so long ago put it best, when they said that he seemed like he was holding back on some songs when he should have gone full out, like he wasn’t quite sure of himself yet. I predict the next CD Hammond puts out will be amazing. For now, here are the songs that struck me as closest to the sound I think he can reach…
- “Cartoon Music for Superheroes”: I heard this song for the first time when I was on a real Sufjan Stevens kick, and it really tickled me to hear the toy piano in the intro. This song to me was the strongest start Hammond could have put on his CD. It’s whimsical, cute, romantic, and so idealistic that the title is more than appropriate: “When you wake, you’ll see/That all these dreams aren’t fake, they’re real/Not impossible.” It’s almost like that quote I remember from my childhood: “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” Nicely done, Albert. When I have children, this will be on the Lullaby mix tape. It’s just too adorable to dislike.
- “Well…All Right”: This is a cover done by Albert of a Buddy Holly song. It’s a bonus track on Yours to Keep, and frankly, it’s one of my favorite tracks on the album. If Hammond could adapt some styles from Buddy Holly, take his Strokes garage knowledge, and mix in that sensitive side he seems to add to everything, I smell a winning formula. This is a window to a sound I think he could create with his own songs, with the proper direction.
- “In Transit”: The title even explains what I’ve been trying to say about Albert Hammond Jr.’s sound right now. It is definitely all “in transit,” on its way to better and more creative sounds. This song, out of all his originals on the album, is closest to what I think his next CD should strive for on each and every track. But, as he says on the song, “I’m not gonna change/’Till I want to,” so I guess we’ll have to wait until he wants to make a CD with this song in order to hear it.
- “Scared”: “You know that something inside of you/Still plays a part in what I do/Always, I’m here for you./I think that if we were all we had/That’s more that what most people ever have.” I just really love those opening lyrics. To me, this song read as an after-the-breakup song. Here’s this guy who’s waiting around for a girl that still needs him for random problems, even though he’s not obligated to anymore. Even though he has this realization: “I know you’re still there because you’re scared that you’ll lose everything.” He knows she’s hanging around in the relationship because when she removes herself from something that took that long to build, she may not find the support she needs, or the friends she once had. Now, this is simply speculation, my interpretation of the song, and yes, it may be because I’ve been on both sides of this situation, but I quite like the song from this viewpoint. Let me know what you think in your comments!
Now I know this is a little late. Blame that on the combination of a 56k modem and being on vacation. However, I will be at miscellaneous free wifi spots during the week, so everything should work out fabulously for next week’s installment, the much anticipated (by me and others) review on Amy Winehouse! Stay tuned, folks!
Related Stories
POSTED IN: Songs of Note
0 opinions for Songs of Note: Albert Hammond Jr.
No one has left a comment yet. You know what this means, right? You could be first!
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: