Albert Hammond, Jr. Is Just Like The Strokes….But Different.

Anna Cieslik / Emertainment Monthly Editor

I’m not going to lie; I started listening to Albert Hammond, Jr. because he seemed cool and sounded a lot like The Strokes. Well, to my surprise, Albert is in fact an actual member of the band. And as a huge fan of The Strokes’ live show, I figured it would be a good idea to check out Albert Hammond, Jr.’s solo set when he played at Brighton Music Hall here in Boston last weekend.

All I can say is, thank god I went to this show. Albert’s set (which featured a supporting band) was by far one of the best shows I’ve been to in a long time. His upbeat, genuinely fun brand of indie rock got the whole crowd moving and having fun. It wasn’t long into the concert that the cold weather outside was forgotten and everybody was wrapped up in a wild dance party.

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While Albert Hammond, Jr. has a sound that is definitely similar to The Strokes, there is something more to his solo project that makes it unique. His indie rock is tinged with a bit more angst at times, a bit more folk at other times. What stuck out most to me was the way in which he so expertly transitioned from one sound to another. Albert played the role of a sonic chameleon, constantly shifting from classic indie rock to a bit of folk, then some early British punk, until he eventually returned to his tried-and-true brand of indie rock.

Albert Hammond, Jr. also had an extremely striking stage presence. He connected with the audience instantly and never stopped joking with them in between songs. During his encore, Albert actually forgot one of the song’s verses, but he effortlessly worked the mistake into the set. Soon enough, everyone on stage and in the crowd was laughing hysterically with Albert as he played on.

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Even after the concert was over, I was still basking in the glow of Albert’s amazing set. All in all, his show had all the makings of a great one, from the fun-loving crowd to the perpetual dancing. And after experiencing it all firsthand, I can definitely say I’m a dedicated Albert Hammond, Jr. fan now.