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| Julian Casablancas as painted by Elizabeth Peyton |
Ok fine, it seems apparent that I have a thing for Julians. You know, Julian Casablancas and Julian Plenti. I promise the next post will not be about another Julian.
Julian Casablancas (of The Strokes) released his solo album Phrazes for the Young last year, and even before his solo debut, I've been enamored with his voice. Julian Casablancas has done tons of work outside The Strokes - including "My Drive Thru" (the only reason the song is bearable is because Julian Casablancas is in it) and "Boombox" (LOL, funny song, albeit SUPER mainstream, not half as good as his other work. It was on SNL in March 2010 I think. Sad that most people nowadays find about about The Strokes and Julian Casablancas through this song.). He also moonlighted as Courtney Love's muse for her song "But Julian, I'm a Little Older Than You" on American Sweetheart and contributed backup vocals on "Sick, Sick, Sick" by Queens of the Stoneage (who you might recall Dave Grohl played with before). He also made a cover of the song "I Wish It Was Christmas Today" and was featured in the song "Little Girl" (No not the Greenday one. Too bad. Well, I guess if it was I might die. It's for my own good.) And became a father. Busy guy.
Phrazes for the Young is a fantastic album - more new wave but 80's inspired. The songs "Glass" and "11th Dimension" are both catchy and significantly different from what Julian writes with The Strokes. The video for "11th Dimension" seems Tron inspired + 80's flashback. (As does The Strokes music video for 12:51 where Julian does the same lightup microphone swinging thing) As with Paul Banks, in Phrazes for the Young, Julian's true genius is exhibited. Each song is catchy, but still very real and the essence of it is that he is truly an artist - you can tell he doesn't make music for the money, but for the music.
Interview with Julian Casablancas:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kJ__orrq64
"Glass" from Phrazes for the Young live in San Franciso (I hate myself for missing him at this and The Strokes Outsidelands last year. I'm so dumb)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MS5Ne5J5PJg
"Boombox" featuring Julian Casablancas (just an observation - he's wearing the same jacket as he was in the interview above. LOL. I've noticed that he has like 3-4 jackets that he wears to EVERYTHING. He must cycle through them or something. Also, in the end where they blow glitter is reminiscent of the end of Reptilia where Julian blows smoke into the camera.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yvEYKRF5IA&NR=1&feature=fvwp
"Sick,Sick,Sick" Queens of the Stoneage (w/ Julian Casablancas on backup at about 2:30):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHDaKtx6bGY
"But Julian, I'm a Little Older Than You" Courtney Love (About Julian Casablancas)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qYof9tyHEY
"Little Girl"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C41ITDF8nD0
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