Albert Hammond Jr - Live In Manchester
[Manchester Academy 3]

One of the big risks of going solo for a member of a breakthrough band is bagging interest through fame rather than merit. Amidst chants and requests for The Strokes songs, it’s clear that this is a problem Albert Hammond Jr will have to tackle if he ever decided to break from the band.

However, in the meanwhile his music and lyrics are worthy of attention in their own right. The set gets off to a good start with the contemplative “In Transit” and debut single Everybody Gets A Star which makes a stronger impact in live performance.

Although Academy Three is hard to beat in terms of atmosphere and sound, the technicalities let down the performance tonight as guitars are turned up too high swamping out both the backing singers and Hammond himself. As a result, the gentle introspective folkiness of Hammond’s lyrics are lost within the raw New York rock and roll of his lead guitars.

Hammond’s strongest track “Scared” is delivered with a vocal struggle, but despite losing its gentility, remained a firm highlight. Recent single 101 is, in terms of the meaty guitar riffs, unavoidably Strokes, but this is where the similarity ends.

“Call An Ambulance” is a firm favourite with its swaying carefree riff and the set ends on a massive calypso type jam with a piercing brawny riff thrown in by Hammond to finish. Though it’s certainly worth catching Hammond live, those interested in getting a real feel for his music would do better to invest in his ambient and impressive album.