Last time I caught the Albert Hammond Jr solo show was last June. I wasn't that excited by the show. I can't put my finger directly on why but there was some sort of disconnect between me and what was coming from the stage....and it was Webster Hall which is also not that great...but that is for another story.
So fast forward a year, a new album in hand, a new publisher of record ( :) ), and a release party at the Mercury Lounge...that was K-I-L-L-E-R. Some may doubt my change of heart and say I'm into it now just because I get to work with the music but trust me...I never write about bands that I personally can't attest to liking. Or check that, i never give favorable opinions without thorough thought. But back to the show...
AH Jr kicked it off acoustically, unmic'd; standing on the bench stage left Albert played a version of "Blue Skies" to the crowd which was received warmly. The full band set started with "In My Room" and then continued through the majority of the disc, ¿Como Te Llama? (out next week!). I thought "Victory At Monterey" was fantastic.
I've been sitting with the album a couple weeks now and I must say...its pretty good on the first listen but by spin 8-9, it becomes a whole new album....truly solid beginning to end.
Setlist:
"Blue Skies" (solo acoustic)
"Everyone Gets A Star"
"In My Room"
"Lisa"
"Holiday"
"Gfc"
"Rocket"
"Victory At Monterey"
"In Transit"
"Miss Myrtle"
"G Up"
"101"
"Borrowed Time"
"Postal Blowfish"
Head over to his myspace to check out some tracks.
see the rest of my pics here
Could not disagree with you more. Hey, I think Albert Hammond is very talented-writes good songs and has a surprisingly good voice. Enjoyed the first album and also think the tracks I have heard from the second album are good as well.
But the performance was stiff. Part of it was that the band just stood around and looked like they rather be anywhere else. The other part was that it was their first gig in a while. Very disappointing.
Posted by: Adam | Friday, July 04, 2008 at 11:25 PM