Albert Hammond Jr.

If the Strokes were yesterday's it-band for Velvet Underground-style slackerisms, the solo effort of Hammond, the Strokes' guitarist, sounds passionate by comparison. Songs like "Cartoon Music for Super Heroes" and "Bright Young Thing" have plenty of the Strokes' 'tude, but, like much of Yours To Keep, Hammond delivers a bit of the engaging warmth of his famous hit-writing father. The leading single "101" introduces Junior's solo career to the world with a lofty melodic lilt, and its sunny disposition is only confirmed by the excellent "Blue Skies."