erinfxs
04/28/09, 08:46 AM
The Last Shadow Puppets - The Age of the Understatement
Record Label: Domino
Release Date: April 21, 2008
When it was announced that Alex Turner, frontman of the Arctic Monkeys, and Miles Kane, frontman of The Rascals, would be teaming up for a side project, to say that there were high expectations may be an understatement (no pun intended). After all, Turner's debut album with the Arctic Monkeys had instantly became the fastest selling debut album in the UK, surpassing Oasis's Definitely Maybe, and his new partnership with fellow musician Kane has definitely taken a slightly different route to those that was expected by previous listeners. With clear influences from era's such as the 60's and 70's, a word such as "symphonic" would be appropriate to describe much of this album. They have managed to produce something sounding contemporary, yet nostalgic, and the superb vocals have made it completely their own.
The strong presence of the London Metropolitan Orchestra, with whom they recorded, is very much apparent throughout the album and is left to be admired. The strings reaching a crescendo on the first track, "The Age Of The Understatement," are a perfect start to this record and not only entice the listener for what is left to come but their sudden halt is perfect for the fast rhythm which precedes it. The melodies vary from track to track, ensuring that there is no sameness throughout them, and the strong vocals from both Kane and Turner are carried off perfectly.
The way the songs are arranged seem to fit well for each record and nothing feels half-hearted by the duo. If anything, this album displays more great musicianship and song writing skills by both of them, and in songs such as "Meeting Place," the lyrics and vocals add just the right amount of emotion required for such a beautiful song, making it something that can have a lasting effect upon the listener and be enjoyed after several plays.
Without a doubt, the album has a few notable songs that will leave their mark. One song that stands out from the rest is "The Chamber," as it sounds lost in time and as if it could have been plucked from a 60's compilation CD, yet the Northern accents are heavy in the vocals and the humming outro seem to give it a new originality. Though mid-album, "My Mistakes Were Made For You," may be subtle, it is one of the great successes of them all. With a generous mix of guitar and strings, lyrics such as: "And it's the fame that put words in her mouth/ She couldn't help but spit 'em out/ Innocence and arrogance entwined/ In the filthiest of minds" fit perfectly.
At times The Age of The Understatement does just feel slightly understated, but after a while it will become just another side-project. That doesn't mean to say that it is not worth the listen, because although this new sound doesn't seem to feel like anything permanent, this still remains to be an album that is worth the listen and is great evidence of the way that sometimes two minds are better than one, as this could certainly not have been pulled off without both of their input. As always, it is not to everyone's tastes and it is noted that often the raw and heavily accented vocals matched with the strings from the orchestra can be a hit and miss for some. Though from my perspective, this combination makes this album something just a bit more unique than expected and something more than just another side project for the first few listens.
The Arctic Monkeys, The Rascals, 60's or 70's Music
Record Label: Domino
Release Date: April 21, 2008
When it was announced that Alex Turner, frontman of the Arctic Monkeys, and Miles Kane, frontman of The Rascals, would be teaming up for a side project, to say that there were high expectations may be an understatement (no pun intended). After all, Turner's debut album with the Arctic Monkeys had instantly became the fastest selling debut album in the UK, surpassing Oasis's Definitely Maybe, and his new partnership with fellow musician Kane has definitely taken a slightly different route to those that was expected by previous listeners. With clear influences from era's such as the 60's and 70's, a word such as "symphonic" would be appropriate to describe much of this album. They have managed to produce something sounding contemporary, yet nostalgic, and the superb vocals have made it completely their own.
The strong presence of the London Metropolitan Orchestra, with whom they recorded, is very much apparent throughout the album and is left to be admired. The strings reaching a crescendo on the first track, "The Age Of The Understatement," are a perfect start to this record and not only entice the listener for what is left to come but their sudden halt is perfect for the fast rhythm which precedes it. The melodies vary from track to track, ensuring that there is no sameness throughout them, and the strong vocals from both Kane and Turner are carried off perfectly.
The way the songs are arranged seem to fit well for each record and nothing feels half-hearted by the duo. If anything, this album displays more great musicianship and song writing skills by both of them, and in songs such as "Meeting Place," the lyrics and vocals add just the right amount of emotion required for such a beautiful song, making it something that can have a lasting effect upon the listener and be enjoyed after several plays.
Without a doubt, the album has a few notable songs that will leave their mark. One song that stands out from the rest is "The Chamber," as it sounds lost in time and as if it could have been plucked from a 60's compilation CD, yet the Northern accents are heavy in the vocals and the humming outro seem to give it a new originality. Though mid-album, "My Mistakes Were Made For You," may be subtle, it is one of the great successes of them all. With a generous mix of guitar and strings, lyrics such as: "And it's the fame that put words in her mouth/ She couldn't help but spit 'em out/ Innocence and arrogance entwined/ In the filthiest of minds" fit perfectly.
At times The Age of The Understatement does just feel slightly understated, but after a while it will become just another side-project. That doesn't mean to say that it is not worth the listen, because although this new sound doesn't seem to feel like anything permanent, this still remains to be an album that is worth the listen and is great evidence of the way that sometimes two minds are better than one, as this could certainly not have been pulled off without both of their input. As always, it is not to everyone's tastes and it is noted that often the raw and heavily accented vocals matched with the strings from the orchestra can be a hit and miss for some. Though from my perspective, this combination makes this album something just a bit more unique than expected and something more than just another side project for the first few listens.
The Arctic Monkeys, The Rascals, 60's or 70's Music