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| The Age Of The Understatement [Digipack] | ![The Age Of The Understatement [Digipack]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51%2BMrVK7VeL._SL160_.jpg)
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Avg. Customer Rating:  (based on 13 reviews)
Sales Rank: 10
Category: Music
Artist: Last Shadow Puppets
Publisher: Domino Recordings
Studio: Domino Recordings
Manufacturer: Domino Recordings
Label: Domino Recordings
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
EAN: 5034202020820
ASIN: B00151HZA6
Release Date: April 21, 2008 (New: Last 30 Days)
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
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| Tracks:
| • | The Age Of The Understatement | | • | Standing Next To Me | | • | Calm Like You | | • | Separate and Ever Deadly | | • | The Chamber | | • | Only The Truth | | • | My Mistakes Were Made For You | | • | Black Plant | | • | I Don't Like You Any More | | • | In My Room | | • | Meeting Place | | • | The Time Has Come Again |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.co.uk Review
Famous for demonstrating how less is more when it comes to publicity, it comes as no surprise that The 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 are Turner and Miles Kane, formerly of Monkeys tourmates The Little Flames and now in the Rascals, aided by producer (and here, drummer) James Ford, also of Simian Mobile Disco. Inspired by the widescreen orchestral Sixties pop of Scott Walker and legendary arranger David Axelrod, they enlisted the London Metropolitan Orchestra under the aegis of Canadian Owen Pallett (aka Final Fantasy and an erstwhile member of the Arcade Fire's string section). The result is entirely successful, owing as much to the romanticism of Richard Hawley and the eclectic approach of the Coral as any sixties precursors. The thundering title track is pure Scott though, "I Don't Like You Anymore" is twisted pop in the best Cosmic Scouse tradition and the beautiful "Meeting Place", brilliantly enhanced by Pallett's orchestration, already sounds like an old classic. "Standing Next to Me" is genuinely exciting, "Calm Like You" is a new take on Turner's familiar style while "The Chamber" even sees him crooning. The Age of the Understatement is a fine, convincing album that proves Turner's talent is truly adaptable and marks Kane out as a talented songwriter too. --Steve Jelbert
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| Customer Reviews: Read 8 more reviews...
 Positively Surprising May 2, 2008
I must admit I did not see this coming. I thought it was going to be seriously bad given that: 1) it's a 'side' project; 2) it would be a monkeys-type of sound, but without the monkeys; 3) music collaborations always turn to be rubbish. Then I read in a review "epic tunes" and I thought "OMG they are becoming like EMBRACE". Very confusing. One way or another I had serious doubts of buying it.
But then I decided to listen the full album through those 30 secs "pre-views" and I could notice the album was indeed different. So I gave it a try and I must say that I'm very positively surprised. Several listens already and loving it even more.
This is indeed what a "side project" should be: a bit experimental; out of the comfort zone; but most of all keeping the quality up.
This album proves wrong critics that thought the monkeys were great lyricist, but traped in a single melody. I could compare this album to Picasso's Blue period. It's not his signature period, but it provides an insightful view of his persona. It is still himself, but naked. Not buried under the mandatory traits of his own success of later time. It is also a period that shows his great command of the basic painting techniques, which will become the foundation of his more recognized work.
In the same way, this is a stripped Turner/Kane version: there is plenty of clues of who its makers are, but presents them stripped to the bones, and without the distraction of their other personas. A great achievement.
Like it... April 28, 2008
Well Turner and Kane have turned the odd appearance at one anothers gigs into something a little more...I have liked the Rascals for a while, and didnt know what to expect with this album.
The debut single is a bit of a cracker, upbeat and catchy for the neutral music fan. After that i feel the album starts to have much more of a homemade and authentic feel to it. I can just imagine the two guys sat in a bar somewhere writing these songs (even if that never did happen)...
There are good tracks such as standing next to me, which is awesome and black paint. Most of the songs have some sort of orchestral accompaniment, something i dont think we hear a lot of anymore in modern music. There are one or two songs which maybe belong on a single as a b-side.
Very good debut album, good to see such well produced collaboration... hope they both continue with their other bands as well!
Solid album April 28, 2008
A surprisingly good album. Alex Turner is showing himself to be a master wordsmith and i would say this is better than the Arctic Monkeys second album which i felt was very over rated.
The first four tracks are faultless and maybe a couple of the songs r b-side material but hey the second really good album i have heard this year alongside Duffy.
 Think Roger Moore...... April 25, 2008
4 out of 7 found this review helpful
Firstly, let me say I'm a big Arctic Monkey's fan and really wanted to enjoy this piece of work. However, after a week of listening, the over-riding emotion is one of disappointment. Certainly it's by no means woeful, like other projects undertaken by Mr Turner's contempories, but I think it's an attempt to satisfy a personal desire, as opposed to regale itself on the ears of his fans.
The sounds, is playful, quirky and reminiscent of a 1960's soundtrack to a Roger Moore movie. Think, The Saint meets Casino Royale. Indeed, it sounds like Mr Turner is collaborating with John Barry instead of Miles from The Rascals.
However, for me, its a big let down. The only strong track on the album is the opening track, and it can be no coincidence they released the album soon after the single was being heard on the airwaves. These record companies aren't daft!!!
In conclusion, well worth a listen, but I'd be surprised if any Arctic Monkeys fans still have it in their CD players in a weeks time....
Arctic Symphonies April 23, 2008
11 out of 13 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.
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