So I can’t believe I haven’t mentioned Tanlines on here. First heard their name through thisAu Revoir Simone remix they made. Later I came across their track “New Flowers” and rocked out on that for a couple of months. They were the opening band for the Julian Casablancas show a few weeks ago here in DC (personally thought that they seemed more genuine and intriguing than their headliner). And yet, I have never mentioned them. Blasphemy. Came across an excellent Memory Tapes remix (need I say more?) of one of their songs, and I guess that was the push I needed. This is music you can dance to. Beautiful, just beautiful.
Julian Casablancas‘ solo project has been getting a lot of love on D.I.D. over the last few months, but this video for 11th Dimension is kind of a flop. Casablancas‘ loose reinterpretation of Bruce Lee’s Game of Death is pretty confusing, and it only highlights how lucky he is to be working with an astounding director like Warren Fu. Fu’s other videos for The Strokes and Little Joy are a hell of a lot better than this.
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After reading that Julian Casablancas was going to be releasing a solo album, I have to admit that I was a bit skeptical. The Strokes have been dormant for a while now, and with their last album, it seemed like they were kind of stuck on the tracks. Well after hearing “11th Dimension”, I pushed all skepticism aside, and welcomed Julian back in to my heart. What an amazing track, and with the intense countdown on his website, I bought into the buzz surrounding this album. Well now, the album has been released (though at 8 tracks, it’s a skimpy one) and I have digested my thoughts about it. Phrazes for the Young seems to be an experiment with some refreshing successes, and only the slightest of missteps. This album is a ball of neatly written rock songs, with borders touching electronica and country at the same time. On tracks like “Ludlow St.” I can buy the country twinge with only the slightest question, but on “4 Chords of the Apocalypse” it seems a bit like he’s trying too hard (or not hard enough). That being said, the rest of the album is truly a delight, and will have you bopping your head along, and at times even dancing. Some of the lyrics come out a little awkwardly, but these can be overlooked in favor of the compulsively catchy melodies. For the avid Strokes fan, this album will be like coming home, but finding a few new pieces of furniture there. This is an excellent first step towards what will hopefully blossom into a noteworthy solo career.
I don’t know how apparent my love for The Strokes has been over the last eight years, but my week has been bombarded with emails about new music from Julian Casablancas. Before he hops in the studio to finish the rest of the new Strokes album, Phrazes for the Young will be out on November 3. This guy can release almost anything and I’ll bite. I’m sure you’ll also be bombarded with emails if the rest of his album sounds anything like this single.
Dipped in Dollars (D.I.D.) is the brainchild of Chief and Danger. While attending a crazy liberal arts college in Vermont, we realized our mutual love of righteous dance music, art, and the people behind them. D.I.D. exists to share this love with you and hopefully turn you on to something new. More about the brains behind the brawn, here.
This site exists to promote artists, if you hear something you like, think about throwing the artist(s) a few dollars, buy an album, go to a concert, show them you care. If any artists or official people want us to take any of our links down, just shoot us an email and we'll take care of it. Happy Listening!
