The Last Shadow Puppets - The Age Of The Understatement Album Review

Album Review of 'The Age Of The Understatement' by The Last Shadow Puppets.

The side line project!
Some people are born workaholics and that is surely how you would describe Arctic Monkeys mastermind Alex Turner. It seems that in whatever shape and form he is out to release an album per year. For his third contribution he has come away with collaboration with Lead Singer of The Rascals Miles Kane. To add spice to the whole thing this is also accompanied with Owen Pallett conducting an orchestra.

The most interesting collaboration is named The Last Shadow Puppets and we should be in for a treat. 'The Age Of The Understatement' is that exciting, anticipated new album.

The album kicks off with the title track 'The Age Of The Understatement' which lets face it was a stroke of genius to make this the debut single. If this were a drama then it would have it all, blood, tears, excitement and a final twist. This tune was made for the orchestra.

At times though there is that Arctic Monkeys feel to it, but then again I suppose that is to be expected. 'Calm Like You' maybe should have been shelved for Arctic Monkeys episode three.

For the tracks that give you the sense that these two have connected then look no further than 'The Chamber' and 'Only The Truth', with 'The Chamber' being a calm winding tune and then 'Only The Truth' being a bit more powerful with Kane and Turner singing together. The thing is that if this sounds like this on record then what will happen when these guys go on tour? Surely they will have to take the orchestra otherwise it wont have the same impact.

'In My Room' has got to be snapped up by the produces of the Bond films, this is a typical track that you would expect to hear on a bond film. A brilliant tune that sends shivers down your spine and leaves the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end.

It has to be said that to do a whole Indie style album with an orchestra takes some guts and confidence in your own ability, which we must take off out hats to Kane and Turner. A good album consistent album that wont blow you away but at the same time does have some tunes that will blow you away. Now that these guys have got this out of this system it will be interesting to see what will be the outcome of fresh material from both of these guys bands. It is nice to see two young blokes come out of their comfort zone and try something new. At least there are some artists that think outside of the box.

Mark Moore