It’s impossible to discuss Hamilton Leithauser without referencing the Walkmen. With seven albums spanning 14 years, the Walkmen produced a steady stream of high quality rock music that attracted a strong and loyal fan base. But after shocking fans by announcing an “extreme hiatus” at the end of 2013, it should come as no surprise that the band’s members have started releasing solo albums.
Chief among those is Walkmen front man Leithauser, whose debut Black Hours came out June 3. For fans already missing the Walkmen, Leithauser’s album provides some respite from the withdrawal. Not only does his distinctive, cragged voice forever connect him with the Walkmen, but Black Hours doesn’t try too hard to stray far from their sound.
Drawing on similar classic rock and folk influences that infiltrated the Walkmen, Leithauser veers only slightly from what we would expect from him over the past decade and a half. This is further cemented by Walkmen guitarist Paul Maroon’s contributions to the album.
But Black Hours does display an evolution for Leithauser. “Alexandra” is an upbeat, poppy track that calls on its listeners to dance and clap along. The opening track, “5am” provides a platform for Leithauser’s vocal strengths and is a clear descendant of the vocalists who inspired the music, most clearly Frank Sinatra.
And luckily, fans in the DC area can catch Leithauser this Sunday, July 13, at The Hamilton in downtown Washington—just the third stop on his first solo tour. Joined by Maroon on guitar, the night should provide just enough of a reminder of the Walkmen to satiate longtime fans while at the same time allowing Leithauser to showcase his own style and ambition.
In short – don’t miss it. We’ll see you there.
