Julian Casablancas Strokes Himself

It’s been 3 years since The Strokes released their last album, First Impressions Of Earth, to mixed reviews. The band went huge in 2001 with the so-called “rock revival” that was going on, alongside The White Stripes and The Vines, and while their second album, Room On Fire (2003) was viewed as something of a case of sophomore slump by fans, it was generally complimented by the critical media. However, with the third and last album being a less disputable disappointment, interest in the band dropped off a bit, and they have since gone on hiatus.

In recent years, lead guitarist Albert Hammond, Jr. has already released two solo albums; bass player Nikolai Fraiture had his side project Nickel Eye releasing their first album earlier this year; and drummer Fabrizio Moretti joined his fellow Brazilian Rodrigo Amarante (from Los Hermanos, another indie band facing a long hiatus) to form Little Joy, with an album released last year.

In 2009, rumors of a fourth Strokes album came along, but so far nothing solid has arisen- and apparently it will stay that way for a little longer. Recently, lead singer Julian Casablancas announced that he is releasing his very own solo album during The Strokes’ downtime. Entitled Phrazes For The Young (what… the… fuck), the album is scheduled for release this fall, and the following trailer was released to promote the album:

Maybe the great variety of styles found between all these side projects (including the little we’ve heard of Casablancas’) is merely a testament to the lack of unified focus that led to the band’s trial separation. Four of The Strokes’ five members have their side projects up and running, which leaves fans wondering when their sweethearts will finally pick up the slack and make the follow-up to 2006’s disappointment.