|
| 
| Artist: The Last Shadow Puppets
Label: Domino Recordings
Category: Music
List Price: £13.99
Buy New: £6.47
You Save: £7.52 (54%)
New (26) Used (1) from £5.48
Rating:  29 reviews
Sales Rank: 115
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.4 x 4.7 x 0.3
EAN: 5034202020820
ASIN: B00151HZA6
Release Date: April 21, 2008
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually dispatched within 2 to 4 weeks
|
| Customer Reviews:
 Arctic Symphonies April 23, 2008
23 out of 26 found this review helpful
Wow, what an album. These guys are 22. I'm an old fart in my 40s. But I love this record. It's a beautiful headrush of pleasure. The Arctic Monkeys I can take or leave, probably because my ears need a break from staccato guitars and that trebly punky thing. But this is a bold and exhilarating record. I suppose it is Scott Walker-ish (think Seventh Seal) and James Bond-ish (think Chris Cornell's Casino Royale theme song) and Arctic Monkey-ish (Alex Turner's distinctive vocals) but Alex and Miles have done their influences proud and can easily stand up there with the people who served as their inspiration. The first 4 tracks come rushing out of the speakers backed up with a breathless and soaring orchestral accompaniment that is so bombastically over the top you can only grin at its sheer joie de vivre (did I really say that?). Thereafter the quality control wobbles a bit, though I'd say it's only a couple of tracks that are not that great, but things rapidly improve again and the album ends on another, though less thunderous, high.
 Not really for me. April 23, 2008
19 out of 25 found this review helpful
Reading the other reviews, I feel like this album is a tad overrated. Maybe it's because I was anticipating it so eagerly, but I find it's a very particular style and not as much of a 'classic' as people are making it out to be. Like 5 out of 5.....really?!
The title track 'Age of the Understatement' - I love. The production is beautifully done, and it gallops along with a real ease and lightness of touch despite it being quite a complex track.
However the rest of the album is a bit of a let down for me. I feel as though some of the tracks are a bit rushed and are not as catchy and well crafted as 'Age of....' and most of the Monkeys' stuff. Apart from that, I'd say the next best tracks are probably Standing Next To Me and My Mistakes Were made For You.
A lot of the tracks for me are quite unremarkable and some of the lyrics baffling. I mean I usually like Turner's clever and witty lyrics but the chorus on 'Separate and Ever Deadly' for example - 'Save me from the secateurs/I'll pretend I didn't here/Can't you see I'm a ghost in the wrong coat, biting butter and crumbs.' What's all that about...maybe it's just me!
In conclusion though, I would applaud Turner and Kane for sticking to the courage of their conviction and making a record that clearly contains a lot of passion. I just think a lot of the songs are quite samey and I'm not sure it is much more than a pastiche of a kind of music the boys obviously love.
A lot of people clearly disagree though...so maybe it's just a matter of taste...or giving it a few more listens.
The Age Of Understatement April 21, 2008
29 out of 30 found this review helpful
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.
It's a beautiful album April 21, 2008
3 out of 5 found this review helpful
It confirms Alex Turner's genius.
It's the best Walker Brothers album you've never heard.
It's the best Bond soundtrack you've never heard.
It's gorgeous, sexy, classy and very, very cool!
Great Album April 19, 2008
3 out of 6 found this review helpful
I was surprised how good this album is. I was expecting it too be good, but its fantastic, as a fan of the Arctic Monkeys i wondered if it would be much different to both their albums, but most songs on this album sound similar to some softer tracks from the Arctic's albums.
Really good album, would recommend it to anyone!!
|
|
|
| |
