Bring Your Son to Work Day

Things Albert Hammond Jr. Inherited from his father.

-Wardrobe
-Hobo Clown Appearance
-Ability to write instantly enjoyable pop songs

Albert Hammond Jr.'s solo offering "Yours to Keep" goes down pretty smooth. I love it. Nothing in there to really object to or wonder about. No sonic experiments or dark poetry or initially jarring but eventually rewarding 8 minute tracks. Just instantly likable (if ultimately dispensable) pop songs.

His Dad must be proud. Albert Hammond Sr. made a name for himself by writing 3 minute chunks of California AM gold in the early 70's and this post is more about my love of him. He's pretty much written songs for everyone.

Juniors solo album is more than just a consolation prize for the awkward "First Impressions of the Earth." For me it feels like a subtle nod to a tradition of since-dismissed 70's AM radio music; warm, cozy, perfectly produced, and instantly recognizable. Albert Hammond Sr. sings his sunshine blues about how it doesn't rain in California - it pours, while Junior gleefully mopes about how hard it is to live in New York City. So what if we don't really buy it? That was never the point anyway.

Albert Hammond Jr. - Call An Ambulance
Bonus points for the ukulele
Albert Hammond Jr. - Hard to Live (in the City)
Albert Hammond -It Never Rains In Southern California
Albert Hammond - The Free Electric Band
Bonus points for giving up that Berkley girl for the Free Electric Band
Albert Hammond - The Air That I Breathe