The Last Shadow Puppets - The Age of the Understatement Album Review

“The Age of the Understatement” by The Last Shadow Puppets, Album Review

The Age of the Understatement is the debut album by The Last Shadow Puppets, featuring Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys, Miles Kane of The Rascals and Simian Mobile Disco member James Ford.
The orchestration of the tracks was recorded by the 22-piece London Metropolitan Orchestra. Look for this duo on select US dates in September with full band and a large string section.

With strings arranged and conducted by Owen Pallett (otherwise known as Final Fantasy), ‘The Age Of The Understatement’ is a musical departure for Turner and Kane, taking in influences such as Scott Walker and David Bowie.

The Last Shadow Puppets The Age of the Understatement Album Cover

The Last Shadow Puppets - The Age of the Understatement Track Listing

1. “The Age of the Understatement” – 3:07
2. “Standing Next to Me” – 2:18
3. “Calm Like You” – 2:26
4. “Separate and Ever Deadly” – 2:38
5. “The Chamber” – 2:37
6. “Only the Truth” – 2:44
7. “My Mistakes Were Made for You” – 3:04
8. “Black Plant” – 3:59
9. “I Don’t Like You Anymore” – 3:05
10. “In My Room” – 2:29
11. “The Meeting Place” – 3:55
12. “Time Has Come Again” – 2:22

The album entered the UK Album Chart at #1 on 27 April 2008.

This is a very solid album, surprisingly good considering it’s only a ’side project’. You don’t need to be an Arctic Monkeys or Rascals fan to appreciate it, though if you don’t like Alex Turner’s voice then it won’t be for you; he takes on the majority of vocal duties.

Full of (mostly) subtle orchestration and vocal harmonies, it sounds at times quite like the music you’d expect to find in a movie, perhaps a Bond soundtrack (listen to the intro to ‘In My Room’ and you’ll understand). Most of the tracks have a frantic, energetic pace to them, particularly the title track and ‘Black Plant’. Imagine the Arctic Monkeys, playing acoustically with an orchestra backing them and you’ve probably got a decent idea of the sound. The album is just as good when they slow the songs down and trade vocals, like in the brooding ‘I Don’t Like You Anymore’. It’s more ‘mature’ and serious than anything they’ve released though, with the lyrics simpler and less wordy than Alex’s usual fare. It’s not particularly upbeat, all of the songs are quite dark and moody (though ‘Meeting Place’ gives a welcome respite from this, if not with the lyrics, at least with a more cheerful sound).

This probably won’t be as well received as an Arctic Monkeys album, but it’s just as good. There’s a further depth to it that is lacking sometimes from their normal work, and it’s nice to see two artists doing something experimental and different. The title is well chosen; the album is quite understated, definitely one that will grow the more times you listen to it.
B. Wright from amazon.co.uk

Album Info

Released Japan April 15, 2008, United Kingdom April 21, 2008, Europe April 25, 2008, Australia April 26, 2008, United States May 6, 2008
Recorded August 2007 at Black Box Studios, France (except track 4 recorded at RAK Studios, London), British Grove Studio, London (Orchestra)
Length 35:10
Label Domino
Producer James Ford

sources http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Age_of_the_Understatement and amazon.com