The Age Of The Understatement
The Last Shadow Puppets
2008
Album Summary
The Age of the Understatement is the debut album by The Last Shadow Puppets, featuring Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys, Miles Kane of The Rascals and James Ford of Simian Mobile Disco. It was released on 21 April 2008 in the UK, following the release of the title track as a single in the previous week. It entered the UK Album Chart at No. 1 on 27 April 2008. The album was nominated for the 2008 Mercury Music Prize.
WikipediaWhat's worse? 3 stars or 1 star? To me, 3 stars says the album is perfectly unoffensive. Not great. Not something you must hear before you die. But not something you don't need to hear. At least 1 star makes you feel something. I love Alex Turner but this band is not him at his best. There are definitely a few cool songs but on a whole this album is a waste of creative energy. Favorite Tracks: Separate and Ever Deadly, I Don't Like You Any More, In My Room
Dramatic, lavish (over-orchestrated at times), intense -- quite strong. Feels like a higher-end version fo the Las debut or a high-gloss Kinks record.
This album really kicks ass. It has a violent and heroic feel, with hints of despair and loss. Totally blew me away.
Fiery and lush in equal portions, this album goes by fast but left an impression that will last, landing solidly in an over saturated genre while still standing out by a large margin.
Pop sinfónico que me recuerda a canciones de algún tipo de western. Me ha gustado. Vinilo.
This has a very specific rock sound reminiscent of the late-1960s/early-1970s, like, I dunno, flower power rock or MOD rock or surf rock something like that, in combination to like those old cowboy Western country songs. I dig it, and I love Alex Turner's voice. It's very repetitive, but I gotta be honest, I am totally vibing with this shit.
Retro 60"s, maybe 80's, vibe to this one. Frenetically energetic at times and well balanced when tending towards balladry . Another good listen from the list.
Brilliant album. The transition from old Arctic Monkeys to new started here. Solid 4 for me. Probably suffers from my thought process that this album isn’t as good as a 5 star Monkeys album but yet I would say it’s on par with other albums I may of given 5 as I’m so far up Alex Turners arse, you can only see my toes peeking out.
An interesting combination of indie rock and many other things, each song sounds different but still contains some core elements. This creates continuity, as well as sounding interesting and stays fresh throughout the whole listening experience. Though at times the lyrics feel a bit unfocused and vague, they are still interesting and feel new. This album suffers from a better last half than first half, which I don't believe I've heard before. Time Has Come Again is a great album closer that feels very satisfying when listened to after the rest of the album. It reminds me of Love is a Place on Old World Underground, where it is one of the only mellower songs on the album that gives you a break from the chaos and a chance to reflect on what you've heard so far. This was a solid album, but I feel it may have been carried a bit by the last 6 songs. If it weren't for those, I would probably rank it lower.
This album is an homage to 60s British pop. Its production is lush and full keeping in the spirit of the time. There are moments that seem almost Beatlesesque, moments that pay tribute to spaghetti westerns, and other moments that take inspiration from surf rock. Overall the album is incredibly well done and was clearly a labor of love for the Last Shadow Puppets
Not an album I was expecting to see on this list. As someone who grew up listening almost exlusively to bands like the Arctic Monkeys and a lot of random noughties landfill indie I'm very familiar with this already. As I think was common with a lot of the indie rock of the time, this album is a few strong singles and a lot of filler, although maybe I'm being a bit harsh as there's nothing really terrible on here. The musicianship is solid and Turner and Kane write relateable songs full of their classic northern charm. I do also think this album is trying to be cool and it pulls it off well which is quite hard to do intentionally. That said I struggle to give this a high score. It was better than I remembered but I can name at least 5 Alex Turner projects I like more than this. I don't think the hooks are strong enough to be memorable and a few of the songs are underbaked especially in the back half with songs like In My Room and Time Has Come Again sounding like the duo are just going through the motions and hoping something sticks. Highlights: The Age of The Understatement, Standing Next To Me, Seperate And Ever Deadly.
Who are The Last Shadow Puppets ? After Arctic Monkeys touring Favourite Worst Nightmare, lead singer Alex Turner took a brief hiatus to work on a side project with two other guys from bands I don't know. While it still retains quite a bit of Arctic Monkeys' personality vis-à-vis Turner, the dramatic strings and Spaghetti Western flair gives The Age Of The Understatement a unique sound that can't be compared to it's contemporaries. Honestly, this whole album is spectacular. My core problem is that there are too many songs that are too short to be fully absorbed. I think The Age Of The Understatement had the potential to be a real hard-hitting classic of the aughts if they decided to do fewer songs that were longer in length, creating more memorable moments from track to track. I don't know why but pop music song structures has held this one back from it's full potential. Still worth a listen.
I loved almost all these songs. In a lager way the sound they have reminds me of Wilco. I thought this was a great album and would listen again.
Yoooo lesgooo!! Didn't think this was on the list. Totally deserves it though. Absolutely love this album. The energy is great and the instrumentation is so refreshing! 5
Really liked this. Sounds like a b-side to "Favourite Worse Nightmare" to me. "Separate and Ever Deadly" my favourite track.
like the Arctic Monkeys predecessor. Great, super fun, British pop rock!
Brilliant start and trailed off towards the end but this was new to me so very glad to learn of some Arctic Monkeys adjacent stuff.
Have this on vinyl and it's a great listen - very cinematic production with some great vocals.
This album really reminds me of Arctic Monkeys, and not just because of Alex Turner's vocals. The sorrow tone and characteristic Turner lyrics really tie it in. The instrumentals are so beautiful, especially in Only The Truth. Also, I just have to mention the strings, it makes everything so much more magical. Overall, it's a good album and I could see myself going back to it at some point. Fave track(s): Separate and Ever Deadly, Only the Truth, I Don't Like You Anymore, The Meeting Place
Brilliant. Bold step away from what the Arctics were doing at the time and put me on Miles Kane properly (think I’d only heard Rascalize at the time). Some of my favourite songs are on this album. Age of The Understatement is massive. Standing Next To Me is superb (did a duet with one of the lads on karaoke to this in a bar in Portugal. Nobody had a clue what was going on.) The Meeting Place and The Time Has Come Again are close to perfect. Amazing album.
Pop sinfónico que me recuerda a canciones de algún tipo de western. Me ha gustado. Vinilo.
It started as a standard cliche of any indie 2000s rock, but it began to change when some songs looked like a vintage movie soundtrack from the 50s and 60s but still sounded like indie rock. The musical evolution was natural. Suddenly, I finally noted the orchestral work and fell in love with the album. So that is a very nice discovery from the 1001 list. After finishing the listening session, I looked through their following album, which was far from the same quality but still worth it.
Have never hard of this band or album didn’t know what to expect. Really like this album, cool baroque sound, pretty James Bond-ish, like Alex turners delivery not a bad song on this album
Call my music taste boring, but I like a good variation on sixties rock motives. The texts, on the other hand, are sharp and modern. I also like the cinematic touches in some of the tracks.
I had no idea that this band existed, and that a few musicians from several bands (most notably from The Arctic Monkeys) had a hand in recording it. For the most part, I enjoyed the songs as they reminded me of certain bands like The Kooks. Favourite tracks include Standing Next To Me and My Mistakes Were Made For You cause I am basic.
Onda muy James Bond 70s. Armonías y patrones rítmicos no comunes. Hay que volver a escuchar definitivamente
Toda una sorpresa de un grupo que no conocía. Bien construidas las canciones. Pop enérgico. Buena voz
Sinceramente non mi è dispiaciuto. Non mi sono innamorata, ma mi ha incuriosita molto, lo risentirei volentieri.
While listening I was thinking "This has a very Arctic Monkeys type of feel to it". Then I realized why. Good stuff!
Now this is more my speed. I will definitely be listening to this again.
This has a very lavish sound and feel to it, with nods to the 60's and 70's. I quite like it and it grabs your attention and sucks you in because it's consistent and enjoyable throughout. Well done!
I am an Arctic Monkeys fan but somehow missed this project. They say supergroup, though I must confess the only one I'm familiar with is Alex Turner. This is enough to inspire me to look up the others though. It's like Arctic Monkeys with an orchestra. At times it sounds like a Bond soundtrack, especially "In My Room."
Basically a more boring version of 00s Arctic Monkeys. Still enjoyed it, but did not have the same oomph of the "real stuff."
Another album from my biggest blind spot, didn't know of them, never heard it before. Really liked it! Will listen again.
First time of listening and this is Arctic Mokeys Ft: Scott Walker methinks. Don't get me wrong I like it and can see it's merit for being on this List. I have always thought of Alex Turner as the Yorkshire Jacques Brel. Some nice tunes on this one I particularly liked the title track and "Seperate and Ever Deadly" Some good early 21st Century music harking back to the Music and Production values of the 60's. Rightfully on the list I think.
-I like the Old Western sound of "The Age Of Understandment" -Quote solid rock/alt-rock album. Nice consistent, quick songs
This was a really cool album! I'm surprised I've never heard of this band before as they seem right up my alley. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole record as it was super consistent and unique. It is absolutely crazy that this came out in 2008 as it gives off strong 60's vibes throughout. I thought the combination of British pop rock with old western soundtrack music was very interesting; some bands might have made this seem polarizing or too weird, but it fits the group perfectly. I believe that this one has the potential for me to consider it excellent upon multiple listens, but I am knocking it a tad bit as there were no individual tracks that stood out to me which is strange for an album of this caliber. Besides that, this is definitely one I would come back to in the future. 3.5/5.
Muito parecido com Arctic Monkeys, gostei bastante. Melhor música: Standing Next to me
Personalmente me enfocó más en la música y el ritmo que en la letra, y todo lo que puedo decir es que el disco es épico, esa combinación de rock y western es maravilloso, por momento te puedes sentir que estas en una película de Quentin Tarantino, pero cuando te centras en la letra pues la cosa se siente raro hasta cierto punto incómodo, ya que principalmente las letras van de un hombre que a perdido el afecto hacia su pareja y nunca llegamos otro punto de vista, un disco que se puede pasar rápido y divertido, como una intro de James Bond.
Bit of a journey, started off really well with great rock. some tunes straight from the 60s and some new wave type. overall 3.6
Unique and fun indie album. Love Alex Martin's voice. Upbeat, "cowboy" beats on the first half. Mix of psychedelic, classic rock, and indie sounds.
It gives me modern spaghetti western vibes. Fun, short songs. First song blew me away, thoroughly enjoyed this album.
Interesting collaboration between Miles Kane and Alex Turner, like an orchestral, less indie rock version of Turner's mother band. I remember buying it at the time, it was on repeat for a few weeks but not an all-time classic
A soundtrack to a film that you know but can't remember. A splendid mix.
Добротный альбом. Наверно, первый пример более зрелого звучания Тернера, которое позже перейдет и в музыку Arctic Monkeys. Жаль, что самих "обезьян" в списке не будет, что незаслуженно. Альбом преисполнен ретро-нотками и даже на обложке красавица из 62-ого года. My Mistakes Were Made For You однозначно шедевр. Иногда забываю, что за песня, когда она крутится у меня в голове. Так вот, это она;) 7 из 10.
Very much enjoyed this album and how sort of orchestral it was. Also Alex turner is very talented from a vocal and writing perspective. Calm like you was the stand out for me
Do I hear the fucking SHREK theme in here from Shrek 1? I definitely hear some 2008 pop influence in here but with much more elevated songwriting I don't know how else to explain it but this sounds very "spooky" 4 stars? I'm oddly hearing a lot of cinema theme influences in this one.
Really enjoyable, reminds me of arctic monkeys, the type of music is soothing and you can jam to it
I had never heard of the band before today and it took me until the 4th or 5th song to fully realize that the lead singer is also from the band Arctic Monkeys. I really enjoyed the sound and delivery of the music. I definitely want to check this out again and their other discography if there is any.
Great artists and great song writing! Similar to Arctic Monkeys because it’s a collaboration with another artist.