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The Age of the Understatement
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Editorial
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
SUPERB!
Review date: 2008-11-27 Rating: 10 out of 10
This album is a great surprise. I didn't know what to expect when i bought it. I have the arctic monkeys albums and I like them, however I find them a little too much after a while, each song sounds similar, where as this album is full of great tracks which are written well and the production is, well wow. It has a big sound to it what with the orchestra and that. Each track has the feel that it can be released as a single and thats the mark of a great album. Most definitely the best album I have listened to for a good 10 years!
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Reviews
Overstated
Review date: 2008-11-14 Rating: 4 out of 10
I got this for nothing, fortunately. I can't understand all the comparisons with Scott Walker. Yes, there is an orchestra involved and the arrangements are very full and reminiscent of the sixties but the voice!!! Aargh! It's horrible. And the lyrics are pathetic. Overrated, overstated, overblown. It gets two stars for the very good musicianship and interesting arrangements. But that voice...
Sorely Disappointed!
Review date: 2008-10-15 Rating: 2 out of 10
After seeing TLSP perform Standing Next to Me on Johnathon Ross I was captivated. Unfortunately that is the only decent track on the album! What a disappointment! If the rest of the tracks were like track 2 it'd be a real winner for me. I guess it takes all types to make a world, tho this is just not my type. I'm not sure it should get even 1 star from me. Anyone want a CD?!!!
Retro cool
Review date: 2008-09-18 Rating: 10 out of 10
This is SUCH a good album, with Alex Turner's nimble vocals to the fore set amidst some sumptuous string arrangements which take you right back to the 60s.
I heard this first whilst browsing in a music shop and instantly it touched a chord - and it only grows on you from there, with different songs staying in your head for days. You feel like dancing down Carnaby Street in your crushed velvet jacket when this is playing, with Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased of course) at your side. Trust me - and buy it. My album of the year.
What's not good about this?
Review date: 2008-09-11 Rating: 10 out of 10
Anyone who doesn't enjoys this...doesn't like music...wonderful, uplifting and super driving music etc. Better than the two Monkey's CDs
Product Details/Specifications
Artist(s):
The Last Shadow Puppets
Recording label: Domino Recordings
Manufacturer: Domino Recordings
EAN: 5034202020820
Binding: Audio CD
Release date: 2008-04-21
Number of discs: 1
Disc 1 Tracks:
1. The Age Of The Understatement
2. Standing Next To Me
3. Calm Like You
4. Separate and Ever Deadly
5. The Chamber
6. Only The Truth
7. My Mistakes Were Made For You
8. Black Plant
9. I Don't Like You Any More
10. In My Room
11. Meeting Place
12. The Time Has Come Again
Publishers: Domino Recordings