The Time Of The Assassins

In this debut, Lou Reed and "Gallows Pole"-era Led Zeppelin mix with Fraiture's honest storytelling and obvious familiarity with a good hook, thus ensuring that while these tracks won't be slam dunks, they will hold up against detailed scrutiny. [Holiday 2008, p.94]

Time of the Assassins is an interesting insight into the creative mind of another member of one of the decade’s most important bands. It’s in no way a substitute for a fourth Strokes record, although if songwriting was to become more of a democracy in the Strokes, maybe their next album could see them once again upping the bar.

Time of the Assassins could have used a few more trips to the Rolodex to bring in a ringer of a singer or two, since Fraiture doesn't seem up to the task, or necessarily even into it.

Unfortunately, his songwriting isn’t much better, which is surprising given the catchy, melodic bass lines he’s consistently laid down at his day job.

Part of what made the Strokes so exciting was the flair they brought to the old trick of sounding hot while looking cool. On his solo debut, bassist Nikolai Fraiture never manages either.