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August 31, 2009

Julian Casablancas Plays First Solo Show In Tokyo

thumbnail icon: Julian Casablancas Plays First Solo Show In Tokyo

You know how Julian released that Phrazes For The Young trailer teaser thing and everybody thought "whoa Strokes guy is going epic Ratatatty synth pop" with his solo thing? Maybe everybody should stop thinking that. Or at least put those expectations on pause. In his own words, Casablancas said he intended "to capture the catchiness of modern music" but also "[get] at the power and seriousness of classical music or older music," and that sounds about right in listening to these tunes Julian performed with a full band this past weekend in Tokyo. First up, Casablancas croons over a shifting, halftime and lilting keyboard pop backdrop. Yes, it has a classical fugue-style bridge. (And yes, that is the Phrazes For The Young album art.)

UPDATE: The three YouTubes we posted have been taken down. Here's what we've got instead. For now...

Promising. Phrazes For The Young is expected this fall, with production by Jason Lader and folk monster Mike Mogis.

Posted at 12:34 PM by amrit in ,
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27 Comments

strong!

Posted by: Brittni at 08/31/09 1:21 PM  | Reply
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on that last clip i thought i was watching Karen O promoting something from the Where the Wild Things are soundtrack.....he looks just like her.

Posted by: hotfreaks at 08/31/09 1:47 PM  | Reply
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Yeah, I can see how the title of this story (you know, the one that you clicked on to get here), and the two preceding videos of Julian Casablancas' performance could make you think that.

Posted by: Coj profile link  in reply to hotfreaks's comment at 08/31/09 2:54 PM  | Reply
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i don't give a damn, i'm super excited for this album.

Posted by: maury povich at 08/31/09 2:19 PM  | Reply
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the parallels to lou reed's career are astounding. once they leave their bands, they become self parodies. sad really.

Posted by: snow white at 08/31/09 3:05 PM  | Reply
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That is misinformed and retarded.

Posted by: The Teenage Head  in reply to snow white's comment at 08/31/09 3:27 PM  | Reply
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No, it is not misinformed and retarded. Listen to the four Velvet Underground albums and then listen to Lou Reed's solo work. The solo work is a joke he stopped trying. This JC album is the same. The band isn't there, it's a joke. he's not even trying here...

Posted by: snow white  in reply to The Teenage Head's comment at 08/31/09 3:40 PM  | Reply
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A. "Transformer," "Berlin," "Coney Island Baby" and "Street Hassle" are all incredible records.
B. Neither you nor I have heard Julian Casablancas' album.

Posted by: The Teenage Head  in reply to snow white's comment at 08/31/09 4:07 PM  | Reply
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good call. but this is more along the lines of Sally Can't Dance.

Posted by: snowwhite  in reply to The Teenage Head's comment at 08/31/09 4:25 PM  | Reply
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I think you meant to say "Paul McCartney".

Posted by: robojimbo profile link  in reply to snow white's comment at 09/01/09 2:20 PM  | Reply
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dumb comment. how can you make that statement? the man wrote "street hassle" that's all im gonna say.

Posted by: muthastone at 08/31/09 4:09 PM  | Reply
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i thought this was going to be a self congratulatory circle jerk of an album: now it just looks like Jules getting in touch with his inner-Rick Springfield. He REALLY needs to start drinking again.

Posted by: Action Bastard profile link at 08/31/09 4:24 PM  | Reply
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These videos do not do Casablancas any justice.

Posted by: Jasmine at 08/31/09 5:02 PM  | Reply
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Julian is bigger than Jesus. I am very excited for this solo album.

Posted by: Hanan at 08/31/09 7:35 PM  | Reply
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His voice remind me of good music.........
But serously, he is bigger than jesus in my eyes, and please don't hate me when i say the Strokes are more or less my favorite band (i have personal reasons A.E. growing up ect). And even with all that in mind i don't think this album will be very good. Still gonna buy it and listen to it tons and probably even like it but it won't be very good.

Posted by: Prince of Carrot Flowers profile link at 08/31/09 10:46 PM  | Reply
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"Still gonna buy it and listen to it tons and probably even like it but it won't be very good."
too real.

Posted by: BRAAAAAAAINSSss profile link  in reply to Prince of Carrot Flowers's comment at 09/01/09 2:37 AM  | Reply
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there are elements to that album cover not least the boots,dog, gramaphone and speakers that make me think John eNtwistle....I just saw one of his outfits at a lesser Hard Rock Cafe...it said Face Dances era but it looked looked 1974ish...at any rate I'll hold judgement until the L Magazine review...

Posted by: Pelham 123 Steeplechase at 09/01/09 12:10 PM  | Reply
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God damn you RCA! Now I can't see Julian Casablancas embarrass himself and/or impress me live in Tokyo.

Posted by: st.sebastion profile link at 09/04/09 2:03 PM  | Reply
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Awesome. RCA took them down before I had a chance to adjust my preconceived notions about this forthcoming album.

Anybody know where I can listen to these? Are they mirrored anywhere?

Posted by: Walty profile link at 09/04/09 10:02 PM  | Reply
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Is this fat slob rippin off Kraftwerk now too!

Posted by: pole banks at 09/05/09 8:08 AM  | Reply
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He's Like A Human Karaoke Machine...

Posted by: James at 09/05/09 9:03 AM  | Reply
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check this video hasn't been posted here yet http://vimeo.com/6406174

Posted by: ikidikid at 09/06/09 8:22 PM  | Reply
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and seriously how can you hate this with his dancing. I mean really now

Posted by: ikidikid at 09/06/09 8:24 PM  | Reply
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"Yuppies Invaded Ludlow Street" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wu7OPC4vgQo

Posted by: Ikidikid at 09/07/09 11:19 AM  | Reply
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Now I know who were the talented ones in the band, and belive me, It wasn´t Jc for sure.

Posted by: robert at 09/07/09 12:32 PM  | Reply
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It's a good thing RCA took those videos down. Because if they remained up I would NEVER buy the album. I would just listen to those crappy live recordings that only give me a vague sense of what it might sound like. Yep ....that's what I woulda done

Posted by: Ikidikid at 09/09/09 11:02 AM  | Reply
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'Now I know who were the talented ones in the band, and belive me, It wasn´t Jc for sure.'

he wrote the fucking songs you wank. not talented? suck my dick!

Posted by: simon at 09/09/09 5:28 PM  | Reply
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