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: #6 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

Positively Surprising
I must admit I did not see this coming. I thought it was going to be seriously bad given that: 1) it's a 'side' project; 2) it would be a monkeys-type of sound, but without the monkeys; 3) music collaborations always turn to be rubbish. Then I read in a review "epic tunes" and I thought "OMG they are becoming like EMBRACE". Very confusing. One way or another I had serious doubts of buying it.
But then I decided to listen the full album through those 30 secs "pre-views" and I could notice the album was indeed different. So I gave it a try and I must say that I'm very positively surprised. Several listens already and loving it even more.
This is indeed what a "side project" should be: a bit experimental; out of the comfort zone; but most of all keeping the quality up.
This album proves wrong critics that thought the monkeys were great lyricist, but traped in a single melody. I could compare this album to Picasso's Blue period. It's not his signature period, but it provides an insightful view of his persona. It is still himself, but naked. Not buried under the mandatory traits of his own success of later time. It is also a period that shows his great command of the basic painting techniques, which will become the foundation of his more recognized work.
In the same way, this is a stripped Turner/Kane version: there is plenty of clues of who its makers are, but presents them stripped to the bones, and without the distraction of their other personas. A great achievement.

Like it...
Well Turner and Kane have turned the odd appearance at one anothers gigs into something a little more...I have liked the Rascals for a while, and didnt know what to expect with this album.

The debut single is a bit of a cracker, upbeat and catchy for the neutral music fan. After that i feel the album starts to have much more of a homemade and authentic feel to it. I can just imagine the two guys sat in a bar somewhere writing these songs (even if that never did happen)...

There are good tracks such as standing next to me, which is awesome and black paint. Most of the songs have some sort of orchestral accompaniment, something i dont think we hear a lot of anymore in modern music. There are one or two songs which maybe belong on a single as a b-side.

Very good debut album, good to see such well produced collaboration... hope they both continue with their other bands as well!

Solid album
A surprisingly good album. Alex Turner is showing himself to be a master wordsmith and i would say this is better than the Arctic Monkeys second album which i felt was very over rated.

The first four tracks are faultless and maybe a couple of the songs r b-side material but hey the second really good album i have heard this year alongside Duffy.