The Age Of The Understatement is the debut album from The Last Shadow Puppets; a side project of Alex Turner of The Arctic Monkeys and Miles Kane of The Rascals...one you may well have heard of, but one you may not have!!
The Age of the Understatement was released in the UK on 21 April 2008, going straight to number one in the UK Albums Chart...the hype and success surrounding it was for the most part due to Turner's role in the band. The likes of Radio 1 put the debut single straight into it's A-list, the likes of the NME waxed lyrically over their arrival...but was it worth the hype??
Well first of all, the two met when Kane's former band The Little Flames supported the Arctic Monkeys during their 2005 & 2007 UK tours. Kane also played guitar on "505", the closing track of the second Arctic Monkeys album "Favourite Worst Nightmare"
so their friendship and musical relationship was already set-up before they stepped foot in the studio.
The Age of the Understatement consists of 12 tracks written by the two of them...on the surface you'd assume it would just sound like the Arctic Monkey's 'third album' due to Turner's rather unique sound and lyrically prowess. But to isolate it from anything the Arctic Monkeys had done previously, they brought in the London Metropolitan Orchestra for the recording to add a new style to the music. An interesting twist on a modern classic you could say...
Opening track is the debut single and self-titled track of the album. It bursts into life with violins and guitars with an uncanny similarity to "Knights of Cydonia" by Muse. It's an encouraging start to proceedings with a fast-paced, unique style that obviously does have audible likeness to the Arctic Monkeys, whilst at the same time being completely different. It managed to break the top ten of the UK singles chart as well due to the airplay it was given.
Next up, "Standing Next To Me" sees Miles Kane take centre stage with him on main vocals and an acoustic guitar...and the London Metropolitan Orchestra of course! In my opinion this track stands out from the rest as it is different. The acoustic guitar is unique when compared to the rest of the album but it still maintains an upbeat feel. There's an element of the 1950's swing movement included in there somewhere, due to the inclusion of the Orchestra. This is something that becomes more apparent as the album progresses...
"Calm Like You" is another favourite it of mine. The use of brass instruments behind Turner's vocals works well to give it extra emphasis. Gentle guitar riffs between verses and choruses help the quiet/loud juxtaposition work successfully.
As things go on, it's clear these 12 tracks are just 3-minute pop-rock songs that have a uniqueness to them due to the orchestra. Sure, the Last Shadow Puppets aren't the first band to ever use an orchestra in a record and they probably won't be the last...but for a follower of either band, could they really have expected to see these two men work so well with a brass and string band playing the rhythm? I doubt it.
The criticism comes as you get further into the album. Maybe it's because I enjoy fast-paced music in this genre. The Arctic Monkey's are, in my opinion, one of the best bands of the last decade quite comfortably. This side project does appear different to a number of people's attempts at side project's so could well stand the test of time...but unfortunately by about track 8 I've begun to lost interest. There's an element of me thinking every track sounds the same due to the orchestral arrangement and there's another part of me thinking that there's just something missing...a certain 'wow' factor that the Arctic Monkeys can provide.
Don't get me wrong, it sounds absolutely fine and is a recommendation for any fan of Turner or Kane's previous work...just don't go into it with your blinkers on - it is quite different to their previous work. It's currently available on Amazon for £6.98...dare I suggest it may drop by a couple more pounds in the next few months though...
Kane has been quoted in the Sun as saying they will write new material in 2009. It's a nice idea and I've got nothing against that, but if you were to push me, I'd say stick to your day job, or band if you will...rather than earn a cheap buck here.
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surprise thatThe 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 a...
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