Monday, May 12, 2008

[Review] The Last Shadow Puppets : The Age Of The Understatement


Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys joined forces with Miles Kane of The Rascals to flex his imaginantion, create, conceptualise, stretch and expand the musical palette we know him for in spectacular new ways. This is a true epic, worthy of a long, luxurious 60s black and white film, perhaps starring the doe-eyed lass on the cover.

Turner and Kane share vocal duties and spookily match voices. The lyrics evoke amazingly intricate imagery, a surprise from a singer known for "kitchen sink" indie rock lyrics.

The pair are accompanied by drummer James Ford, who not only keeps the record barrelling forward frenetically, but also produced the album. Ford is a Mercury Music Prize winning producer and doesn't disappoint here. The music swirls around you, and takes you under. The textures are exquisite.

Another brilliant and distinctively different element to the record are the soaring string arrangements. Owen Pallett, known for his work with Arcade Fire, conducts a Philharmonic Orchestra on the record. Absolutely divine, and a stark contrast to the good time indie rock of the Arctic Monkeys.

This is the sound of a young musician using his rocket-to-fame money wisely - a lustrous video shot in Russia, some of the world's finest musicians. Turner has proven he's got a long career beyond the Monkeys - that he could be one of the next generation's great creators.

Thanks for Channel v.com



The Last Shadow Puppets






The Last Shadow Puppets release The Age Of The Understatement through Domino Records on Monday 14th April 2008, the album will follow on the 21st of April 2008.

The Last Shadow Puppets are Alex Turner (from Arctic Monkeys) and Miles Kane (from The Rascals ). The duo have been good friends since Arctic Monkeys toured with Kane's previous group, The Little Flames, the pair were so inspired by listening to the likes of Scott Walker, early Bowie and David Axelrod, that they hatched a plan.

The result, 'The Age Of The Understatement', is an album of 12 full-blooded songs, bold and brassy, full of drama, wit and melody, that source the past but avoid falling into pastiche. Both Miles and Alex are 22, and this is a youthful record, full of life and the sheer pleasure of music making.

The Last Shadow Puppets recorded the songs at Black Box studios near Nantes, France in two weeks during the summer of 2007, with producer and drummer James Ford. The band then approached Owen Pallett to arrange and conduct the orchestration of the tracks, which were recorded by the 22 piece London Metropolitan Orchestra at British Grove studios in London over Christmas.



Tracklisting is as follows:

1. The Age Of The Understatement
2. Standing Next To Me
3. Calm Like You
4. Separate and Ever Deadly
5. The Chamber
6. Only The Truth
7. My Mistakes Were Made For You
8. Black Plant
9. I Don't Like You Any More
10. In My Room
11. Meeting Place
12. The Time Has Come Again

0 comments:

 
Copyright MusiC ManiaC 2008. All rights reserved.
Blog Powered by Blogger and Theme Design By You & Me Team