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| The Age Of The Understatement [Digipack] | ![The Age Of The Understatement [Digipack]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51sDpQlwsnL._SL160_.jpg)
 enlarge | Artist: Last Shadow Puppets
Label: Domino Recordings
Category: Music
List Price: £11.99
Buy New: £6.98
You Save: £5.01 (42%)
New (36) from £6.98
Avg. Customer Rating:  22 reviews
Sales Rank: 12
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
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
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| Customer Reviews:
 An Interesting Side-Project...nothing more May 24, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
In the crush to acclaim the side project of Artic Monkeys figuregead Alex Turner as some work of genius a couple of points seem to have been lost. There is no way that The Last Shadow Puppets are going to out-sell the Monkeys, and its a dangerously thin line between homage and pastiche.
And however much you make like this album, it's difficult to escape from the fact that it may ape the likes of Lee Hazlewood and Scott Walker but it never really threatens to break out from that shadow.
The plus points are that it is a very effective pastiche and, clocking in at just over half an hour, it breezes past without dragging.
Still, as accomplished as it is, it lacks that X-Factor and you can't help feeling that if a unheard of Joe Bloggs presented this to the world the clamour to acclaim it wouldn't be as strong. Still, it will tide you over until Turner unleashes the next Monkeys album.
 Big Cinematic Sized Gem May 24, 2008
I will be honest and say that I don't know The Rascals but I am all too familiar with the precocious talents Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys fame. Side projects of this type could be dismissed as mere vanity projects. Taking inspiration from the epic soundscapes of Scott Walker's quartet of albums from the 60's should be ambitious beyond reach.
It isn't and isn't so for a number of reasons. Firstly Turner writes wonderfully taught lyrics and here they are given a different setting which seems to make them soar. He also adds some darker tones to his writing which suit the mood well. Musically the wish to make something akin to Scott Walker's album works and this is largely due to the pretty much unhearalded talents of Owen Pallett who, at 21, has already made a name arranging strings for Arcade Fire and Beruit. He emulates the sweeping strings of Wally Stott (Walker's arranger) wonderfully. His work is quite literally the highlight of the record and hopefully this will help elevate his band Final Fantasy into the public conciousness.
The sound is very 60's and fans of the likes of Scott Walker, John Barry and countless other 60's icons will find much to enjoy in this. The production is wonderfully executed and adding the merest hint of echo to Turner's voice really sets the mood of songs. It's not really going to set the fans of the Monkeys alight as this is something quite different.
It is ambitious and sumptuous and rarely hits anything short of its desired for hieghts. Picking out individual highlights is hard as each one of the tracks is a joy. Here's hoping there's more from this trio of prodigiously talented individuals. One of the highlights of the year.
average May 21, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
every track sounds like a bond theme tune, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. i'm not really into this album, although i am a big fan of the arctic monkeys and i was really looking forward to this collaboration. i like the sort of 60s feel, i just think that the songs, even though they're new and everything feels a little tired and samey
all in all i'd pass. if i could tell myself then what i know now i wouldn't have bought it
a sixties feel May 19, 2008
like i say in my title this album has a sixties feel to it with great melodies and strong lyrics along with good vocals this is a very good album with Only The Truth, Standing Next To Me, I Don't Like You Any More, In My Room and the age of the understatement been my personal faves although the rest of the tracks are quality.
Positively Surprising May 2, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
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.
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