As the third album release
of Albert Hammond Jr, (with an EP release in-between), Momentary Masters noted
a new experimentation for Hammond Jr, maintaining the style which he is most
known for. This appears to be the most fully formed and confident of his
releases.
The entire album flows perfectly from one
song into another without any abrupt changes. With the two singles “Born
Slippy” and “Losing Touch” (first and fifth songs on the album) being full of
energy and a combination of the well known guitar melodies AHJ is famous for
and an electronic and Funk edge to the music, it created a new twist on his styling.
This is also seen on “Don’t Think Twice” AHJ’s cover of Bob Dylan’s classic,
Whilst staying true to the message and passion in the lyrics and a seeming nod
to Dylan in the pronunciation of “Fare thee well” resembling his distinctive
singing style.
The lyrics combined with the melody and
frantic effect of the music in songs such as “Caught By My Shadow” at times
feels like all of the energy is about to explode with an opening line of “You
and I got burned in Paradise” but it is then juxtaposed by the slight
melancholia of “Coming to Getcha” which projects an ending relationship whilst
with the essential combination of energy through the use of building tension to
the chorus and calming it back down after.
The guitar interludes on tracks such
“Losing Touch” and “Touché” are hold the
distinct style of AHJ, it’s what adds the familiarity to the tracks, as if they
have some how always been in the background soundtrack, that when you hear it,
the songs have an intimacy of something you didn’t realise you had been
missing.
The album closes with “Side Boob” song that
encapsulates the energetic melody and thought and memory provoking mood of the
entire album. “That's really something that I never wanted to hear” being the
repeated closing line to the album….definitely not a thought that occurs at the
end of this album.
