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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Famous for demonstrating how less is more when it comes to publicity, it comes as no surprise that The Age of the Understatement, the first side project from Alex Turner of the Arctic Monkeys, should appear to no great fanfare. The Last Shadow Puppets are Turner and Miles Kane, formerly of Monkeys tourmates The Little Flames and now in the Rascals, aided by producer (and here, drummer) James Ford, also of Simian Mobile Disco. Inspired by the widescreen orchestral Sixties pop of Scott Walker and legendary arranger David Axelrod, they enlisted the London Metropolitan Orchestra under the aegis of Canadian Owen Pallett (aka Final Fantasy and an erstwhile member of the Arcade Fire's string section). The result is entirely successful, owing as much to the romanticism of Richard Hawley and the eclectic approach of the Coral as any sixties precursors. The thundering title track is pure Scott though, "I Don't Like You Anymore" is twisted pop in the best Cosmic Scouse tradition and the beautiful "Meeting Place", brilliantly enhanced by Pallett's orchestration, already sounds like an old classic. "Standing Next to Me" is genuinely exciting, "Calm Like You" is a new take on Turner's familiar style while "The Chamber" even sees him crooning. The Age of the Understatement is a fine, convincing album that proves Turner's talent is truly adaptable and marks Kane out as a talented songwriter too. --Steve Jelbert
Product Description
THE LAST SHADOW PUPPETS The Age Of The Understatement (2008 UK 12-track CD album - The Last Shadow Puppets is the long awaited side-project from Alex Turner [Arctic Monkeys] & Miles Kane [The Rascals]; The Age Of The Understatement is an albumof 12 full-blooded songs bold and brassy full of drama wit and melody that source the past but avoid falling into pastiche; including the majestic single The Age Of The Understatement
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
36 of 37 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is a very solid album, surprisingly good considering it's only a 'side project'. You don't need to be an Arctic Monkeys or Rascals fan to appreciate it, though if you don't like Alex Turner's voice then it won't be for you; he takes on the majority of vocal duties.
Full of (mostly) subtle orchestration and vocal harmonies, it sounds at times quite like the music you'd expect to find in a movie, perhaps a Bond soundtrack (listen to the intro to 'In My Room' and you'll understand). Most of the tracks have a frantic, energetic pace to them, particularly the title track and 'Black Plant'. Imagine the Arctic Monkeys, playing acoustically with an orchestra backing them and you've probably got a decent idea of the sound. The album is just as good when they slow the songs down and trade vocals, like in the brooding 'I Don't Like You Anymore'. It's more 'mature' and serious than anything they've released though, with the lyrics simpler and less wordy than Alex's usual fare. It's not particularly upbeat, all of the songs are quite dark and moody (though 'Meeting Place' gives a welcome respite from this, if not with the lyrics, at least with a more cheerful sound).
This probably won't be as well received as an Arctic Monkeys album, but it's just as good. There's a further depth to it that is lacking sometimes from their normal work, and it's nice to see two artists doing something experimental and different. The title is well chosen; the album is quite understated, definitely one that will grow the more times you listen to it.
Full of (mostly) subtle orchestration and vocal harmonies, it sounds at times quite like the music you'd expect to find in a movie, perhaps a Bond soundtrack (listen to the intro to 'In My Room' and you'll understand). Most of the tracks have a frantic, energetic pace to them, particularly the title track and 'Black Plant'. Imagine the Arctic Monkeys, playing acoustically with an orchestra backing them and you've probably got a decent idea of the sound. The album is just as good when they slow the songs down and trade vocals, like in the brooding 'I Don't Like You Anymore'. It's more 'mature' and serious than anything they've released though, with the lyrics simpler and less wordy than Alex's usual fare. It's not particularly upbeat, all of the songs are quite dark and moody (though 'Meeting Place' gives a welcome respite from this, if not with the lyrics, at least with a more cheerful sound).
This probably won't be as well received as an Arctic Monkeys album, but it's just as good. There's a further depth to it that is lacking sometimes from their normal work, and it's nice to see two artists doing something experimental and different. The title is well chosen; the album is quite understated, definitely one that will grow the more times you listen to it.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The Last Shadow Puppets enlisted the help of Scott Walker for this Love/Misunderstood/Coral inspired release. It isn't the most accessible of albums, filled with tracks that follow the same west coast usa 1970 formula. Apart from the obvious singles I feel the rest of the tracks are not diverse enough or contain enough quality to let this album flourish.
An album that lacks any real diversity or uniqueness fails to engage the listener and after the first 5 tracks, I lost interest in this at precisely this point. I struggle to work out what Alex Turner and co are trying to achieve with this attempt. Is it an artistic statement, a homage to their past music preferences or maybe an attempt to break away from the stereotype of their previous work?
Whatever the aim is, I feel it lacks conviction and any real depth of quality. Love, Misunderstood and The Coral all are favourites of mine, and this album should sit nicely with them. In fact if I played this along side them it might just work in places, but it feels even more outdated than the 1960's efforts.
This album fails by being too samey and lacks the quality to pull off the same trick 12 times over. Alex Turner is well known as the cocksure cheeky lad from Sheffield who fronts the Arctic Monkeys, and I believe that is where he excels and he should remain. He deserves some credit for being brave enough to break his mould and to push his and his fans limits, the Mercury nomination is essentially for just that, but this is where this should end.
*** Like: The Coral, The Misunderstood, Love ***
An album that lacks any real diversity or uniqueness fails to engage the listener and after the first 5 tracks, I lost interest in this at precisely this point. I struggle to work out what Alex Turner and co are trying to achieve with this attempt. Is it an artistic statement, a homage to their past music preferences or maybe an attempt to break away from the stereotype of their previous work?
Whatever the aim is, I feel it lacks conviction and any real depth of quality. Love, Misunderstood and The Coral all are favourites of mine, and this album should sit nicely with them. In fact if I played this along side them it might just work in places, but it feels even more outdated than the 1960's efforts.
This album fails by being too samey and lacks the quality to pull off the same trick 12 times over. Alex Turner is well known as the cocksure cheeky lad from Sheffield who fronts the Arctic Monkeys, and I believe that is where he excels and he should remain. He deserves some credit for being brave enough to break his mould and to push his and his fans limits, the Mercury nomination is essentially for just that, but this is where this should end.
*** Like: The Coral, The Misunderstood, Love ***
25 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Wow, what an album. These guys are 22. I'm an old fart in my 40s. But I love this record. It's a beautiful headrush of pleasure. The Arctic Monkeys I can take or leave, probably because my ears need a break from staccato guitars and that trebly punky thing. But this is a bold and exhilarating record. I suppose it is Scott Walker-ish (think Seventh Seal) and James Bond-ish (think Chris Cornell's Casino Royale theme song) and Arctic Monkey-ish (Alex Turner's distinctive vocals) but Alex and Miles have done their influences proud and can easily stand up there with the people who served as their inspiration. The first 4 tracks come rushing out of the speakers backed up with a breathless and soaring orchestral accompaniment that is so bombastically over the top you can only grin at its sheer joie de vivre (did I really say that?). Thereafter the quality control wobbles a bit, though I'd say it's only a couple of tracks that are not that great, but things rapidly improve again and the album ends on another, though less thunderous, high.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The shape of things to come
This album really surprised me as I was expecting something that sounds a lot like the Arctic Monkeys. But, the record instead sounds symphonic, epic and majestic instead. Read more
Published 3 months ago by P. Frizelle
Must have
Really love this album!
For me, this is a must have! Wonderfull sixties inspired music, great lyrics and extremely well composed.
For me, this is a must have! Wonderfull sixties inspired music, great lyrics and extremely well composed.
Published 6 months ago by Alex
Brilliant Album...More please!
I love this collaboration between my favorite worst nightmare legend Mr Turner and the immaculate Mr Kane, Excellent origional work boys more please!
Published 6 months ago by xTLCx
Brilliant
This album has been played over and over since purchasing it on release. I am in my fifties with catholic tastes. This album ratesup with my favourites. Read more
Published 9 months ago by fitboy
Great!
I love this album. This is what turned me on to The Arctic Monkeys and Miles Kane. I love the sixties influence. Not a bad song. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Petulia Smythe
Last Shadow Puppets
Good album with a unique sound. Obviously the collaboration between the 2 was an excellent union of taste and ideas. Awaiting the Miles Kane album with anticipation.
Published 14 months ago by Acidmule
it's a puppet!!!!!!!
heard some of these songs played on Jonathon Ross then caught them again on Letterman on CNBC. Wowed me enough to get on Amazon and buy it and I'm not usually that spontaneous! Read more
Published 19 months ago by bellepaese
Understated overrated
Technically good without the Arctic Monkeys humour which when I think about it is the only reason I like the Arctic Monkeys, save your money and buy Bombay Bicycle Clubs "I had the... Read more
Published on 3 Mar 2010 by Mr. N. Tatham
A present for somome else but they love it.
This was a present for my brother, but I'm hoping he'll lend it to me so I can have a listen! Anyway - he loves it!
Published on 19 Jan 2010 by Alex Mummy
A nice album (with a wonderful cover)
My premise here is that I just a.d.o.r.e. Arctic Monkeys (Humbug vinyl already ordered and waiting to be delivered...). Read more
Published on 27 Aug 2009 by Rickyfizz
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