Francis Trouble : vol. 1

"The biggest talking point about this album will clearly be that it stems from the idea of Albert searching for an identity through the loss of his stillborn twin brother in utero. Let this not feed into any reading of the piece though, as he strikes thick with melody to cover any looming depth ... It's hard to find fault with an album that feels so consistently representative of the mind that bore it. Francis Trouble is certainly Hammond finding a version of himself that's pushing toward the future while never losing sight of who he really is".

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"Perhaps the greatest compliment you can pay Hammond is that he's done enough good work to outrun the shadow of the riffs he laid down on Is This It and Room on Fire. And if your candle is still burning for the band that made "Last Nite" and "Under Control," why waste your time waiting for another Comedown Machine when Francis Trouble-tight, affable, and unpretentious-is ready and waiting?".

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"Though its second half isn't quite as deft as its first, Francis Trouble continues the streak Hammond, Jr. has been on since the AHJ EP. With albums like this, his identity as a master of smart, emotional guitar pop is secure".

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