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:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
Overstated 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! 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 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... more info
What's not good about this? Anyone who doesn't enjoys this...doesn't like music...wonderful, uplifting and super driving music etc. Better than the two Monkey's CDs
