Product Description

The result of a collaboration between Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner and lead singer of The Rascals Miles Kane, The Last Shadow Puppets' debut release is a predictably epic affair. The title track single is a cinematic patchwork of Morricone-esque themes and rhythmic motifs, dashed off with the sullen Northern wit we've come to expect from Turner. Withstrings arranged and conducted by Owen Pallett (otherwise known as Final Fantasy), 'The Age Of The Understatement' is amusical departure for Turner and Kane, taking in influencessuch as Scott Walker and David Bowie.

Track Listing

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

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #29 in Music
• Released on: 2008-04-21
• Number of discs: 1

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

Customer Reviews

A bit too arctic monkeys
I'd enjoyed a couple of tracks on the radio, but hearing the album as a whole it starts to become a bit too 'arctic monkeys' - who I don't dislike, but it's just a bit too strident, and not enough 60s-ness.

Nice enough in small doses, but if you don't like alex turners voice you'd hate it.

Wonderful 60's style sentimental lovelyness!
I must admit I was cynical initially but I loved the Opening track 'The Age of Understatement' and was hooked after hearing 'Standing next to me'so brought the CD. Its an album full of lush strings,feelings and warmth.The songs border on the 'lovely' and are well crafted. Love the vocals esp on 'meeting place' and The time has come - both such 60's sounding film tracks. I'm a fan of metal and Rock ( Dillinger Escape Plan and Deftones ) but this album is so 'sentimental' that it will melt the most hardened metal heart- as its done with me- call me a big softie why dont you?

AWFUL
I'd give it a 0 if i could.

it was that bad

it's obvious the band were just put together to get as much sales as possible, the music is awful

if still go n buy it then it's your loss i warned you!