Age Of The Understatement, The (Limited Edition) [Digipak] - Last Shadow Puppets (The) > Reviews > We haven't heard the last of the shadow puppets

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	Mixed
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Average
Value for Money	Good

Advantages:	More music for fans of the band members, decent album overall
Disadvantages:	inconsistent, different to what you'd expect from the group

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

The Last Shadow Puppets is a 3 piece indie rock band fronted by Arctic Monkeys lead singer, Alex Turner. His sideline group is made up by James Ford on Drums and Miles Kane on Bass if i remember rightly. Both of these musicians met Alex Turner when Miles Kane's other band, 'The Rascals' supported the Arctic Monkeys.

The album is called 'The Age of The Understatement' and consists of 12 Tracks and runs to almost 35 minutes. Fans of either band will have to be open-minded as The Last Shadow Puppets do seem to be a little more downbeat than Arctic Monkeys and more contemporary and conventional than The Rascals.

The Tracks

[Track 1 - The Age of The Understatement]

The album screeches into an early crescendo with its title track, also a prominent yet simple bassline present early on. It may lead some Arctic Monkeys fans into comparisons as this track is fairly reminiscent in some ways. When the track picks up, a chorus of tuneful wails back up Alex Turner's lyrics, which incidently, are reminiscent of those which are loved by so many of his fans. A decent track, the first single by the band. It reached Number 9 in the charts if i'm not mistaken. It isn't exactly amazing, it definitely seems different to the Arctic Monkeys, yet whilst it is still a good song, I'm not completely convinced... and I'm not sure why. 7/10

[Track 2 - Standing Next To Me]

This is to be the band's next single, released soon if not now and it is along a different vein to the first song on the album. It's much more restrained that the first track and there are violins and/or synthesisers in the background. Much less rocky and punkish than the first song, the harmonies are everpresent and although this might disappoint some of the listeners, I quite like this song. 8/10

[Track 3 - Calm Like You]

The drums and a brass accompaniment build up the early part of the track and then AT's vocals come in, slower than in the previous tracks but bolder in some way. In my mind, the song is somewhat reminiscent of a Shirley Bassey song or something like that, a strange comparison considering, but I hope you see why I say it when you listen yourself. The crescendo of the classical backing behind the band in this one gives a certain grace akthough I'm not quite sure if I could put it into a familiar genre. 6.5/10

[Track 4 - Seperate And Ever Deadly]

The first song I have latched onto on the album. Early on it has a fairly murky aura about itself but again, the Monkey-like style of the track shows through in the chorus. The chorus itself is decent and there is a little gap after it which at first made me think the song was over. The drums beat through a subtle, grinding guitar riff and although I don't understand what the lyrics are trying to say at the moment, I still like them. Best so far. 8.5/10

[Track 5 - The Chamber]

A few twinkling moments of calm at the start of this tune after the last track's exertions, the violin in the background gives the track an overall feeling of calm which is only punctuated by quick blasts on the drums and the melodic lyrics until it drifts into a sort of sci-fi calm, and fades out for the last forty seconds with no drums or vocals, but don't drift off just yet... 5.5/10 (the score is a bit higher if your listening to it while you fall asleep)

[Track 6 - Only The Truth]
The last track lulls you into a false sense of security here with its half-minute of peace. This track jumps in with two feet allinstruments and brass which soon pick up into a racing bass a drumbeat with backing instruments supporting the harking of the track title. Very dramatic, but not exactly what I'd listen to all the time. The track threatens to calm down with aminute to go, and seems like its decided to put an 70's funk TV show soundtrack at the end, it doesn't really change until the end. I'm not sure how to sum this track up. 5/10

[Track 7 - My Mistakes Were Made For You]

This track is quite chilled and seems like it would feel at home as the themetune of one of the older James Bond films. In a way, its a little calmer than you'd expect but as its so rhythmic and well-executed that I can't help but tap along to it. Its quite low-tempo throughout and I still can't shake this James Bond feeling I've got going on. Although it's fairly low tempo I'm on board with this song, a pleasant track indeed Moneypenny. 7.5/10

[Track 8 - Black Plant]

The longest track on the album, it appears to be another drifting track here but these basslines brings the speed up but the track is still quite low key and holds back a bit except for the occasional moments when the volume jumps for a second or two. The Arctic Monkeys again can be linked to the way this track develops as the are some similar thumping basslines later on but it might just be Alex Turner's voice, I might be getting it wrong this time. See for yourself. [7/10]

[Track 9 - I Don't Like You Anymore]

The songs ambles in at its start but you can tell its just ready to jack out of the box. For the first time, I can see a punk element, as the track bounces through the gears soon although it does slow down again outside of the chorus. The title and chorus obviously state a less friendly intent in this track aswell as the quick signature 1-2-3-4 method of the punk drums, the first time the drummer is really allowed to have a proper turn really. I have a bit of a soft spot for punk music so I'm trying not to be biased with the rating, the track is definitely one of the better ones still. 7.5/10

[Track 10 - The dramatic orchestral backup has returned to give the track an overblown underscoring. For me though, I'm not to keen on the way thetrack seems to be going. At times it's a bit sharper than most of the others and builds to quite an intense peak that doesn't really happen in the other songs on the album. 4.5/10

[Track 11 - Meeting Place]

There is a tropical holiday vibe in the air here, that's what I'm feeling anyway, a chirpy acoustic guitar here and mellow violins again. (at least I think it's a violin??) This track is basically a love song, I think thats the best way to describe it, only wholesome dancing to be had this time. You won't be skanking, grinding or pogoing to this one but its late in the album so I'll forgive it for winding down. 6.5/10

[Track 12 - The Time Has Come Again]

This track is again nice and blissful. It reminds of some of the slower songs on the Arctic Monkeys second album. This chilled little number is just right to lull you to sleep at the end of the album if nothing else. Not what you'd listen to all the time, but definitely easy listening. It's on the night-time playlist. 6.5/10

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After a quick look, this album appears to be available from all of HMV, Play and Amazon for about £6.99. Althoug there are cheaper copies on eBay as per usual. The album cover is along the same lines of previous Arctic Monkey's releases and features a pretty, forlorn young girl sat alone on the floor with an grey and off-white backdrop. Only accompanied by the mis-sized print of the album name in red, and the name of the band in printed in black.

Overall, the album is good when you consider it as a whole. Some of the tracks are quite downbeat and not really made for the same setting or environment as the Arctic Monkey's music is. The songs on here are not what I was expecting but it's clear the band members want to reflect other sides of their own music taste in this album. Half the tracks are rocky and lively and very friendly to being played live, whilst the other half are quite sensible and tranquil. The chilled tracks are great to fall asleep to or just as relaxing, easy listening. The others sort of disturb the peace to an extent. What I'm trying to say is that the tracks on this album fall into two camps, and in some way this disrupts tempo of the album as a whole and it definitely ends up in a comletely different place to where it started. It depends on what your looking for I suppose, but I would still recommend you give this album a go.