User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

Phrazes For The Young
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Phrazes For The Young Image
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 88 Ratings

  • Summary: This is the solo debut for the Strokes lead singer.

Top Track

11th Dimension
I just nod, I've never been so good at shaking hands I live on the frozen surface of a fireball Where cities come together, to hate each other in the... See the rest of the song lyrics
See Full Track List »
Powered by

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 24
  3. Negative: 1 out of 24
  1. The Boston Phoenix
    88
    At the end, after his inevitable untimely death, all anyone will care about will be the stately grandeur of the opening (and closing) music coupled with the star’s eternal blank stare: unknowable, unfathomable, and ultimately tragic. We’ll have to wait for the movie; fortunately the soundtrack is already here.
  2. Boston Globe
    80
    Phrazes for the Young blusters its way through eight songs full of killer hooks and choruses, and then? Well, it’s gone, as fun and fleeting as a carnival ride that’s just a memory a few hours later.
  3. Spin
    80
    The effect is more Tokyo neon than Lower East Side leather. Surprisingly, the sonic leap forward intensifies Casablancas' greatest gift--melody.
  4. The A.V. Club
    75
    Burdened with the responsibility of assuring the future of rock at the beginning of this decade, Casablancas now looks like he could have a decent future of his own.
  5. Entertainment Weekly
    67
    In the end, deliberately(?) tinny tracks such as 'Glass' sound like sketches in search of a full band. Hopefully, said band will soon oblige.
  6. Q Magazine
    60
    'Ludow St' is lyrically smart, musically ambitious, more than any other track on Phrazes, it makes you wonder, if not regret, why the Strokes themselves never pushed the boat out this far. For that reason alone, it was worth Casablancas making this intriguing if imperfect record. [Nov 2009, p.98]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Drowned In Sound
    30
    There are moments which hint at Casablancas’ underlying skill as a writer on Phrazes, but there’s such a ruinous deployment of disparate ideas that they never form a cogent whole.

See all 24 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 20
  3. Negative: 1 out of 20
  1. Mccusky
    Feb 26, 2018
    10
    Just beautiful, Casablancas sounds like he has as a heart as big as a childs, it doesn't blow my mind how good this is just how many peopleJust beautiful, Casablancas sounds like he has as a heart as big as a childs, it doesn't blow my mind how good this is just how many people will never know. 'Why can't you ignore the things I did before'… Expand
  2. Cheerdealer
    Jun 16, 2011
    10
    I think a metascore of only 72 for this album is a big mistake, it should be up the 85/90 at least, then again, critics don't go well withI think a metascore of only 72 for this album is a big mistake, it should be up the 85/90 at least, then again, critics don't go well with people opinion, this album is so creative, complex, and full of catchy melodies and interesting lyrics, Julian's voice shines all over the album, my best track should be "Glass", excellent melody, great album.… Expand
  4. AlanL
    Nov 4, 2009
    10
    The album went beyond my expectations. I love it! I just bought the album yesterday and I can't stop listening to it.
  5. Nareth
    Oct 30, 2014
    10
    I honestly would give this album an 11 if I could. Julian Casablancas is not only a great musician, but also a great lyricist. While he,I honestly would give this album an 11 if I could. Julian Casablancas is not only a great musician, but also a great lyricist. While he, himself is not too fond of this album for its so called "mainstream sound." I think it is great. Every song is pure poetry, and some songs like "Glass" or "11th Dimension" could be multiple poems if separated correctly. This album is clearly underrated and continues with the trend of mine "I have never bought an album Julian Casablancas was involved in that I didn't like." I listen to this music almost daily, and if not, it's at least on my mind all the time. I will always keep a CD copy of this in my car, and in my home. I burn CD's of this album to share with my friends so they can enjoy it. And it only gets better. If you look on youtube there are acoustic versions of "11th Dimension", "River of Breaklights", and "4 Chords of the Apocalypse" that are PHENOMENAL! Although Julian seems to flub-up the words a few times, the sound of just guitar and his raw vocals almost knocked me out of my office chair. SERIOUSLY... GET THIS ALBUM!!!… Expand
  6. GregoireR
    Nov 25, 2009
    9
    Long awaited album. Slowly bringing you right back to where you were when the strokes were playing years ago. And then adds another layer of Long awaited album. Slowly bringing you right back to where you were when the strokes were playing years ago. And then adds another layer of emotion. New ones. Good ones. 8 tracks carefully crafted not by pride nor by marketing.… Expand
  7. JawsPapi87
    Oct 19, 2011
    9
    Julian Casablancas takes a huge step from his vocals in First Impressions of Earth to this album, where he seems twice as energetic and happyJulian Casablancas takes a huge step from his vocals in First Impressions of Earth to this album, where he seems twice as energetic and happy about making music. This album, like the first two Strokes records, has no weak tracks that stand out (my personal favorite being River of Brakelights). It is 40 minutes and 8 tracks of nonstop emotion and Julian shows off his greatest talent in music, which is songwriting.… Expand
  8. SilverMan
    Jun 13, 2012
    0
    It's not that good as fans talk about. The album has acceptable songs, but as a full work, is weak. As Metacritic says, I'm "mixed": I didn'tIt's not that good as fans talk about. The album has acceptable songs, but as a full work, is weak. As Metacritic says, I'm "mixed": I didn't hate it as I didn't like it. But I miss Casablancas when he was drunk all the time...… Expand

See all 20 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

68
#68 Most Discussed Album of 2009

Current Music Releases

Full List »
99 Band on the Run [50th Anniversary Edition] - Paul McCartney & Wings
95 The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow - Charles Lloyd
92 This Could Be Texas - English Teacher
92 COWBOY CARTER - Beyoncé
91 The Carnegie Hall Concert - Alice Coltrane
90 1989 (Taylor's Version) - Taylor Swift
90 Iechyd Da - Bill Ryder-Jones
89 I Got Heaven - Mannequin Pussy
89 Black Bayou - Robert Finley
89 Tigers Blood - Waxahatchee
89 Only God Was Above Us - Vampire Weekend
88 Ozarker - Israel Nash
88 What Now - Brittany Howard
88 Hey Panda - The High Llamas
88 Orquídeas - Kali Uchis
88 The Past Is Still Alive - Hurray for the Riff Raff
87 Filthy Underneath - Nadine Shah
87 i/o - Peter Gabriel
87 Lahai - Sampha
87 Blue Lips - ScHoolboy Q
All Current Music »