Reviews (page 6 of 9)
Very Arctic Monkeys-like. It was alright for a single listen but it didn’t particularly impress me.
some good songs on here - a bit too arctic monkeys sounding at times but otherwise some good tracks
Some fun tunes, can definitely feel the Arctic Monkeys in it. Also sounds a bit like Jake Bugg sometimes for whatever reason. Drops off a bit toward the end.
Short, varied, exciting, fun!
There are some retro type bands I dig, but for some reason this one just does not click with me. Not sure why, cuz I like a lot of Bowie-esque "retro" bands. Oh well. Many more albums to go.
It's what Alex Turner would like to be doing when he's not being a Monkey. It's okay.
# Playlist track - The Age Of the Understatement # Notes - Never heard of it before, even though I really like the Arctic Monkeys. - Found it enjoyable over all. Interesting tracks, especially in the opening tracks. Loses some steam midway though and end up on a somewhat disappointing ending. - Very cool movi-esque instrumentals everywhere.
As a big Arctic Monkeys fan, I always like hearing Alex Turner's voice, but this doesn't quite reach the highs of Arctic Monkeys to me.
Just sounds like everything else that comes out of these bands.
Some good songs, but kinda flat
I didn't like the first two tracks much, but Wondrous Place was pretty great. The last track was alright. Overall a very short album with one noteworthy song. Two stars. Edit: I listened to it again (since it's so short), and it's definitely grown on me. The first song and the last song were better than I remembered. This is a good album with one skip (#2). Three stars.
Well, at first listen, I wasn't liking it. But I gave it another shot a day later, and I'm okay with it. Kind of a throw back to earlier days, dreamy, has a lot of reverb going on. IDK, will probably listen again.
I’ve never heard of this band or album before, but I’m a little familiar with Arctic Monkeys, so I have a rough idea of what this album might be like. Overall, this album was fine. I believe one review described this album as Arctic Monkeys meets 60’s mod rock, and that assessment was spot on. Alex Turner has such a unique vocal style that gives Arctic Monkeys a very distinct sound, and I enjoyed his singing on this album. Musically, this album fluctuated between standard aughts rock music and interesting symphonic pop. The songs that relied more on the symphonic sounds were the best on the album in my opinion, and everything else just kind of fell by the wayside. Nothing on this album sounded terrible, but very little stood out as well. The album started off on a really strong note with the title track, but it could never quite get back to that point, where the music was really catchy and unique. It came close a few times on the second half of the album, but there’s not enough here that would draw me back to this album.
Bit of a pink Floyd sound at times, but overall just meh
An immaculatly produced self-indulgent bore.
3/5 not sure why this is here, Alex Turner's best stuff is Arctic Monkeys. best song: my mistakes were made for you
Considering Arctic Monkeys are my favourite band of all time I embarrassingly have not given these guys as much attention as I should have. Excellent album with lots of hints to Josh Homme's influence and also the new sound of Tranquillity Base. Stands strong as not just a side project but a fully formed and seperate being.
Where does being influenced by prior musical style swing into pastiche? For this album, I fear it's pastiche, competently executed and arranged but for me a little hollow.
Chato
It was good
This was a bit disappointing. I don't know, what these musicians tried to accomplish in genre or style, but in my view, they failed. There was some '60s psychedelic rock/pop, some more baroque style stuff, and then the sound of the italo western movie scores. Too much echo/hall effect, too much of nearly anything. This was an overaccomplishment in a very bad way.
Never listened to the full album before only the title track. Pretty decent but nothing mindblowing.
I remember liking a few songs at the time (can’t believe it was 2008) still think there are a few solid songs. Nice concept for a side project and the morricone style is fun!
Interesting feels dated but modern. Great voice
I thought I knew this album. I'm sure I listened to it quite a bit when it came out. But I remember none of it. Which is possibly the problem. It's a bit bland. There are good elements with the different members bringing different things. Miles Kane repping the Wirral vibes (it's amazing how often we're popping up on this list). Turner visibly morphing into young, eneregetic front man, into later 'crooning' lounge lizard front man. It was fine, but not as good as I remembered/hoped. a classic 2.5 that I'm going to rouuuund up.
Stylish in every aspect, but lacking substance, so I don't see myself going back to it much, although it's certainly fun.
I genuinely can’t believe this album has made it into this group of albums. It’s OK britpop at best! Some nice songs but a lot of filler Favourite song: Standing next to me is a tune! Least favourite: the chamber Album artwork: nice
It’s ok
Very good!
Good opening track with age of the understatement. Other than that it sounded to arctic monkeys to me. Just without their banging tunes. An ok album overall.
Could not stop checking my phone to see if this was the Arctic Monkeys on autoplay. Pretty good album though, new to me.
Not bad. I think it does the symphonic, cinematic thing pretty well.
Good
I found this very interesting to listen too, had a weird kinda rock meets 60s vibe, a tad moody but overall it captured my attention
Unexpected good album.
Jälleen kerran ensimmäinen kierros tökki ja en löytänyt musiikin syvintä olemusta, mutta iltapäivällä toinen kiepsautus tuntui jo viihdyttävältä. Hyvin tunnistettavissa, että soittajat on eri kokonaapnoista ja tuovat mukanaan omat mausteensa.
Raikas levy, vaikkakin syvemmälle pureutuminen jäi sitten pois
Favorite Track: The Meeting Place
Good punk rock
It was okay
A nice adjacent with the Arctic Monkeys, this band / album defiantly focuses on the more intimate ebb and flow, like singing to a lover. 3.3
Se deja escuchar, pero no lo habría puesto en esta lista
Good stuff. Love the more bombastic, sweeping, cinematic tracks BUT I found myself wishing, more often than not, that I could leave this behind and go listen to some Arctic Monkeys haha. But that’s not really in the spirit of the thing, is it? So the good news is I appreciated this more on the second listen than the first, and I imagine I’ll revisit this again soon after I scratch that Arctic Monkeys itch.
It sounded like a British pop band decided to make a country album.
"The Age of the Understatement" feels like a modern mish mash of spaghetti western, 60s mod, and maybe a tangential sprinkle of surf rock. While I admire the creative ambition of this project, I confess that I am a bigger fan of the source material than this album. It does not quite manage to reach the epic John Barry-esque of the best Bond music, rather it feels like the kind of sonic sandwich spread that would be slathered all over LUTHER episodes. I am unmoved and unimpressed by the lyrics and the singers' performance of them. Feels like the music would be far more moving without the lyrics and singing altogether. As if the most interesting parts were composed by Owen Pallet and performed by the London Metropolitan Orchestra. I think where the lyricist failed is that they tried to cram too many lines of lyrics into the songs, which is unsuitable for the genres they are referencing. If they were really clever they would have kept only the absolute necessary best bits and gave the songs space so that they could really reach climax, of which many of these songs never quite feel like they do. They also could have benefited from having singers that actually have expansive voices like Tom Jones or Shirley Bassey, or rather whoever they would be these days, to truly call back to to what made those genres special. I cannot compare it to the work of The Arctic Monkeys, as I am not familiar with their sound. Until today, I had never heard of them. I appreciate that the album was brought to my attention, but I ultimately don't think it belongs on this list. Two stars for the work of the arranger, and conductor.
Such a sick album. Sometimes punky, oftentimes lovely. I heard it three times and it's only gotten better on each listen. I also love the album cover which isn't that important but still appreciated, especially when the artwork matches the album contents.
This was just not Alex Turner’s best … theyre clearly being experimental but it just lacks execution. I struggled through this album and really did not enjoy it. Standing next to me was the only redeemable track imo
Meh.
Not bad, nothing special. This was my 10th album.
Why is it that when a bunch of British indie pop stars want to cosplay as The Kinks they get to release an album but when i do it i just get supervised custody and a sharp reminder of existing restraining orders from the office of Dave Davies? Three stars.
The Age of the Understatement presents itself as a well-accomplished piece, showcasing meticulous attention to detail. From start to finish, it maintains a consistent aesthetic reminiscent of a cohesive film score from the 1960s, transporting listeners to a bygone era. While its craftsmanship is undeniable, the album failed to fully grasp my attention, lacking the ability to captivate and engage me throughout its duration. Its ambitious nature is apparent, aiming for grandeur and complexity, yet ultimately falling short in resonating with me. Despite its merits, it seems tailored for a specific audience, perhaps those with a nostalgic fondness for the era it emulates. Overall, The Age of the Understatement may be praised for its technical proficiency and thematic consistency, but it ultimately left me wanting more in terms of emotional connection and musical impact. NUMBER OF BANGERS - 0 STAND OUT TRACK - None
Dull.
Thought this was a bad 60s mod rock album at first. To find out it was made in the 2010's. Oof. Dated, unappealing.
I AM AN ALEX TURNER AND MILES KANE LOVER
Dreamy
It's like Ennio Moriconi produced an album with Jake Bugg singing in front of Tom Jones' band. Wild man; wild. Maybe a bit theatrical. But wild.
Originell! Eigener Stil! Aber jeder Titel klingt wie der davor! Irgendwann nur noch langweilig! 2/5
Oh well. Long before Alex Turner proved his self-fellating prowess to the rest of the world--a difficult, and admittedly dangerously athletic "art", as exemplified by his more recent LPs with his original band Arctic Monkeys, the man went on a pleasurable side escapade with The Last Shadow Puppets, where that time around, he had the opportunity to receive hand jobs from his dear pals Miles Kane and James Ford. Reminds me of that wild night out in Köln, when ephemeral pals of indefinite genres took me blindfolded to a backroom where I had to taste different sorts of leather gags on a swing. My tongue still remembers the taste of the last one, just as invisible pudgy fingers fiddled with my shlong until the whole ordeal made me pop my load on the hind parts of Gertrude (or was it Günther?). Take this micro-review a homage to the artful writer who left so many tasteful remarks on this app, a man of "taste" indeed, who inexplicably left us after 600 reviews or so (remember the one about *Scum*? It's a masterpiece!). Those of you who have read those reviews can't forget them that easily. When you know, you know. As for that Last Shadow Puppets record, it's a pleasant one, even if it's very well-mannered and *one-note*, just like most releases involving Turner. The spaghetti western-like cavalcades (such as the one displayed during the title-track and opener) are lively and enticing enough, with their obvious Ennio Morricone flavours. Are they "essential", though? Or are they just a little too calibrated and "precious"? The jury's still out on this one. Methinks that kinkier "cavalcades" are more to my tastes, generally speaking... 3/5 for the purposes of this list. 8/10 for more general purposes (5+3) Number of albums left to review: 181 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 356 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 205 (including this one) Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 260
Miles Kane being carried out of lumpen mediocrity by his talented mate through a Scott Walker pastiche. In it's defense, there are worse artists to plagiarise. But Alex Turner probably needed better around him to pull it off successfully.
An ok album
I can appreciate that they tried to do something interesting here but it misses the mark in my opinion. It doesn’t have that vintage 60s production, it just sounds like bland late 2000s indie with strings dumped on it. I get the impression that Turner was too scared to try this on his own so brought his mate along. There is a noticeable deficit in their songwriting abilities and their voices clash like two drunk blokes doing karaoke in a pub. Turner developed his affected crooner voice in the years after this came out and it probably blends with the style better. There’s a lot of 60s psyche on this list that probably inspired this album. Unfortunately this album lacks the basic elements that makes those old ones enjoyable. It just isn’t groovy. I fucking hate the album cover as well.
Country album, nothing special about it
3.5
Some Arctic Monkeys obsessed fella had me listen to this a few years back. It's ok I guess, but I absolutely do not get this cult of Alex Turner. The debut was alright but basically everything since has been arse. I understand this is a departure to more film soundtracky stuff but all it makes me feel is I wish I was listening to John Barry or Morricone instead. Didn't hate it enough to give it one star, mediocre.
consistent... competent... decently enjoyable
Not bad. Felt a little like a pastiche a lot of the time but can't say I didn't enjoy most of it.
Great throwback album! Curious to see how this compares to the Arctic Monkeys album on the list.
Production is great, vocals are great. Rockin out!
Arctic Monkeys singer.
Good stuff! I think i like this better than his Arctic Monkeys stuff. The use of orchestral instruments was great
Was kinda feeling this
Meh, kind of like Arctic Monkeys. Not sure what it is about it, but it's just OK. Takes itself too seriously?
Another James Bond soundtrack. I didn't turn it off...so its better than a 1.
I’m not the biggest fan of Arctic Monkeys, Strokes, etc., and this album feels the same to me. It’s not bad, I’m just not a huge fan.
Parallel universe to Arctic Monkeys and it's great. I've always liked the dryness in Alex Turner's voice and lyrics as it's always been pretty tongue in cheek and kind of funny and that carries over here. I already knew My Mistakes Were Made for You, but I alos liked Standing Next to Me, I Don't Like You Anymore, and In My Room. Really I liked most of this album, will definitely listen again.
Kind of like my favorite era of the Arctic monkeys but slightly harder arrangements
Þetta var böggandi áhlustun. Ekki af því að tónlistin var svo leiðinleg heldur að mér fannst allan tímann eins og ég ætti að þekkja þessa hljómsveit því ég hef hlustað á mjög svipuð lög og svipaða rödd mörgum sinnum en ég hafði aldrei heyrt um þessa hljómsveit. Á endanum las ég mér til og komst að því að þetta er hobbýverkefni söngvara Arctic Monkeys og þá áttaði ég mig á því af hverju ég kannaðist svona við þetta. Ég myndi líklegast alltaf setja Arctic Monkeys á í staðinn en þetta var samt ekki leiðinlegt.
as a supergroup that i've never heard of, it doesn't really sound supergroupy to me. but that's just me. I guess they wanted to do something outside their core sound and didn't want to dilute their brand. Good idea. Not as well executed as those Wilburys that travel. Length shouldn't be an issue, but four songs at eleven minutes?
A really approach easy to enjoy Arctic Monkeys sound. A bit less aggressive, but it sounds like smooth british rock with quite a few solid songs. The first 3 stand out the most, and there is a bit of it all blending together, but enjoyable from start to finish.
3.5
I was intrigued by what I heard so I checked out their follow up album, Everything You’ve Come To Expect, and it is superior to this release. I highly recommend giving it a listen after this one.
No idea this was Alex Turners second band.
Much better than expected! TLSP are a band I've seen live but I think at Reading? Either way I wasn't really ready for this level of crooner music whilst I was anticipating arctic monkeys (even post AM). One to return to as it was quite a distracted listen but had enough to warrant a revisit!
Listened to the first few tracks, got hung up on the voice. Realised it was the Arctic Monkeys dude and did a quick Google. Discovered the story and also that 4 songs was kinda my limit.
This was a nice surprise, a bit of baroque northern British supergroup pop, will listen again for sure
4. I like!
Nicht meine Richtung
An orchestra and the Arctic Monkeys guy! What a pleasant surprise. Heard him for the first time on Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not earlier in this project. I said at the time that it grew on me. Can now confirm that it has grown farther (I would give it a 5 now). Curious to see if I have the same thoughts about this James Bond feeling bad boy down the line.
One of my favorites
I'm surprised about how much I liked this as it's not really my style but I really enjoyed it. Improved version of Arctic monkeys in my opinion. Would listen to it again
Fine, but doesn’t need to be on the list when we already have arctic monkeys.
I imagine if the Arctic Monkeys recorded an album in the 60s it would have sounded like this. Some Beatles influences along with surf guitar and garage sounds. Don’t love the echo on all the vocals but I do like the use of strings and horns.
This album foreshadows the change in sound the Arctic Monkeys would make after AM. At the time I guess this would not have sounded like the Arctic Monkeys but now it does. Solid stuff.
Its good, but I played an arctic monkeys album straight after and it doesnt compare
Good album but sounded like artic monkeys
This one started off rough for me but by the end I really liked it. For the first couple songs I felt the lyrics were too heavy or something for the melody...it just didn't flow right to me. But after that it really felt right.
It's pretty good. I'm at about a 3.5 with this one, not sure if anything grabs me quite enough to push it up to a 4. Maybe with a few more listens but so many albums, so little time.
This album really starts off at a gallop and doesn’t let up. Super awesome rock and roll, enjoyed it a lot!
Wow, wasn’t expecting this type of songwriting or lush production from this mashup of British indie pop artists. It brought the 60s Burt Bacharach vibe in good way.
Alex Turner/Kaiser Chiefs do a spaghetti western soundtrack. Not what I asked for, and not what I really wanted to be honest. Reminded me of a much worse spin off than Them Crooked Vultures, so if this makes the list and TCV doesn't, then the compiler needs to get off the indie hype train.
Alex turner
Just not that interesting
subpar
I really enjoyed the cinematic quality of this record. The orchestrations were very impressive.
Sounds like two young guys found their grandads' old Swinging London gear. Enjoyed it a lot more than I expected to.
Neither knew the band nor had ever heard one of the songs. So this was a positive surprise. Very nice.
This is way better than the Arctic Monkeys, and I don’t actually mind the Arctic Monkeys!
moderner alt klingender Britpop
Great tunes
I’m about 50 albums in and this is the first that I both never heard of and really enjoyed. I’ll be looking into more from this group.
In a nutshell: Arctic Monkeys frontman forms a supergroup… but they don’t play indie rock. I am flummoxed by this album. The lyrics are great, there is an ambitious utilisation of a symphony orchestra (which I applaud)… it feels thoughtfully made but it’s music I’ve heard before. If you like Morricone, early Bond movie soundtracks and an orchestra presence that rivals Belle and Sebastian’s Dirty Dream Number Two you’ve got a surprise in store. Overall: 4/10
A perfectly ordinary 3 star album.
This album was a bit low energy for me. Black Plant was my fave song on the album.
Now this album, I SEE why it’s on this list. The sounds and instruments and melodies sounded fresh. A mix of country, rock, and jazz. All very cool. I was getting James Bond from the brass and intensity. Lots of fun, I would listen to this again.
I definitely enjoyed this album. It’s basically a Neo-Psychedelia album with elements of an old western movie score.
Absolutely love this album from the first time I heard it
someone please let alex turner write a bond theme hes begging you 🙏
YouTube music opened up with just the EP and as I listened to that I thought it reminded me a bit of Arctic Monkeys, and as I was checking to make sure this wasn't just 4 songs, I saw it was the same singer. So that makes the comparison pretty good! I do like this album better than the AM debut I had a week or two ago. A few of these tracks really get that heavy accent and I'm not a fan of that, but good overall. Favorite track "The age of the understatement" 4/5
You can´t compensate for your own mediocre musiciansship and creative imagination by hiring an arranger and a orchestra...
I liked Calm Like You already but there weren’t any other songs I liked on this album. I generally liked the style (I am neutral-to-positive about the Arctic Monkeys I guess) although the violins could be a bit much at times.
Eh. Basic psych pop.
I mean, I like pretty much everything Alex Turner puts out. It was a good album. Will listen to again. 4/5
- Ich liebe einfach die Stimme von Alex Turner - Mir hat das Album echt gut gefallen - Durch die Instrumentierung hat mein ein sehr filmisches Gefühl, teilweise komme ich mir vor wie in einem abgefahrenen Arctic Monkeys Feature mit Ennio Moriccone - Ich lese normalerweise keine Kritiken von unserer Gruppe, bevor ich meine Kritik schreibe, habe es hier aber mal getan. Und ich muss dir hier entschieden wiedersprechen @sunny. Vorhersehbar finde ich hier wirklich kaum einen Song… also ich kann verstehen, dass man das Album mitunter irgendwie eintönig empfindet - aber Vorhersehbarkeit kann man dem Album mMn echt nicht vorwerfen - Finde das Album jetzt nach erstmaligem Hören insgesamt ziemlich einzigartig und mir würden nicht so viele Referenzen einfallen, die so sind, wie The Age Of The Understatement Rating: 3,75
- Bei The Last Shadow Puppets konnte man 2008 schon hören, in welche Richtung Alex Turner und seine Arctic Monkeys später nach AM mit Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino gegangen sind. Natürlich hatten die schon immer diesen rockabilly-Einklang - dieser hat aber für mein Gefühl immer stärker zu genommen, was dazu geführt hat, dass ich die neuen platten der Arctic Monkeys nicht mehr höre. Ich mag die Post, Alternative, Garage Arctic Monkeys und nicht die "zurückgegelten". - Dementsprechend verstehe ich, warum sich Alex Turner schon früher ein output für seine Rockabilly Ader gesucht hat. Leider mag ich dieses Genre einfach nicht so gerne. Ist mir zu kitschig und vorhersehbar. 2/5
- Mega Album, in dem aber kein Track komplett raussticht, als Gesamtwerk fand ich es aber echt hammer - Coole Musik auch, um Filmszenen zu untermalen habe ich das Gefühl
4/2/24. I respect Alex Turner and Arctic Monkeys, this side project didn't hit with me although I appreciate expanding the typical sound of alternative rock of this time. Perhaps I need to listen again.
decent
First time listening to this band Really great 60,s feel about some tracks. I really enjoyed this album.
This album is trying too hard. Overly dramatic with no cause. I don't hear anything here that I'd like to listen to again.
A very British rock album. Felt familiar with the Arctic Monkeys singer on this one. It wasn't bad, but I'm just done with these UK albums that don't move the bar in any direction. At times it did feel like I was driving down the UK country side or something.
A few tracks into this, I was like "man, this just sounds like an Arctic Monkeys ripoff." Turns out it's a supergroup with Alex Turner of the Arctic Monkeys and some other dudes I've not heard of before. It's pretty good, a few tracks I dug. But if you asked me to distinguish these Turner songs from anything by the Arctic Monkeys, I'd fail miserably. Favorite tracks: Standing Next to Me (read that in the same cadence as "crawling back to youuuu"), Calm Like You, I Don't Like You Anymore, Time Has Come Again. Album art: A woman from the '60s shot in black and white, in case you weren't sure what kind of era they are shooting for. The font is fine? Reminds me of some other website I've seen before, can't remember which one. Nothing too special here. 3.5/5
I don't like Arctic Monkeys and I don't like this
lol it’s good. Can’t really be bad
Day81 - it sounds like the arctic monkeys singing james bond theme songs
Hot garbage. The arctic monkeys are pretty bad in their own right…this just seems like a contrived take on their sound. So happy it was only 35 mins. 1.5/5
3.5 very good
If it weren't for the two songs by the Crooks.....I don't need an album of background music from some unknown movies
It’s OK. It sounds like Arctic Monkeys with a slightly 60s-ish loung-y vibe
C'était intéressant mais sans plus.
2.8 - More “not-suitable-for-export” UK mediocrity. This one sounds like the soundtrack for a bad spy flick - loud, uptempo cabaret all in a minor key. “Time Has Come” is one exceptional acoustic ballad with echo-y vocals. The rest is crap.
Like the harmony between the two singers it starts slow but tricks you and speeds up giving it less of a pop and closer to an alternative feel Favorite tracks: calm like you, my mistakes were made for you Least favorite: black plant 3.9/5 I’ll give it a 4
Cool (5,5/6)
Some great tracks on this album, love anything alex turner touches
Bland, boring, and unremarkable. I don't get why this album was made. I love strings, but they did nothing for me here.
Ooh this is good! It’s like an inbetween sound from early Arctic Monkeys to the full shift to lounge music. Like this a lot and will add to my rotatio !
It feels like the soundtrack to a musical where all the songs are the reveal of something bad. Nothing really stands out though. 2/5
What if I’m giving this 5 stars! I enjoyed it okay!!! Could change my mind later.
Arctic Monkey slay! But on a real note very slay album. Love the string section absolutely mothered on every song. Loved the old Wild West, Rodriguez vibes!
Alex Turner's voice is so distinctive that this just feels like more Arctic Monkeys. There weren't really any stand out tracks. It was all just decent easy listening.
Arctic monkeys if they weren’t so weird 3/4****
Couldn't get into this one...
Nothing very stand out but really easy to listen to
Never heard of this band, but the music is intriguing. It's a modern take on 60s pop and psychedelic music, and it works surprisingly well. Listening to this was a breeze. That's what I'm here for. 4/5
The Last Shadow Puppets has got to be one of my favourite 'Supergroup' bands. The combined vocals and styling by both Alex Turner & Miles Kane is, in my ears, perfection. With the stylings of mid sixties pre-psychedelic pop music helped along by period reverb settings, mariachi drum beats, horn sections and rapid strum acoustic guitars it's feels like you're in the middle of your very own car chase scene in a James Bond movie, whizzing through the mountains of Europe. Best: Black Plant Worst: Meeting Place
It's alright. Nothing really stood out to me, but not terrible.
Sesenteros. Correctos.
Pleasant, average, forgettable. I don't have anything negative to say, but I'm also not sure it deserves a place on this list.
There's something irresistible about the Humbug-era Alex Turner in combination with James Bond themes. An enjoyable time capsule with stellar tracks like the title track, 'Standing Next To Me', and 'My Mistakes Were Made For You'
The Last Shadow Puppets’ debut album was the first real meeting with the more sore serious and less playful Alex Turner we would later come to expect. The opening title track is easily one of the greatest songs of its year and the idea of putting on the symphonic soundtrack to a James Bond movie on every song also works to some extent. But brief as it might be… I just get bored of it all rather quickly.
I love this album starting with the cover
I'm not sure this is really on a par with Bowie or Scott Walker, but this was an okay indie approximation of that style and grandeur. Something about Alex Turner's voice makes me feel a bit sad, maybe even a bit ick, like I don't really want to live in the world that he describes, and I never really got past that.
This is more like a film soundtrack. The songs attempt to create dramatic scenes. Some work better than others. It never quite delivers with the final knockout blow for the end scene. There's a lovely analogue feel throughout. Never a bad thing.
7/10
Nah.
cool. never heard before.
Different.
1. underztatement - 0 2. nezt to me - 1 3. calm like you - 0 4. ever deadly - 0 5. the chamber - 1 6. only the truth - 0 7. my miztakez - 0 8. black plant - 1 9. dont like you - 0 10. in my room - 0 11. meeting place - 0 12. time haz come again - 0
This was pretty lackluster. Not terrible but to sum it up my feelings about this album would be "Yeah? So what?"
Missed this when it originally came out. Pleasantly surprised!
Muse but good
Very reminiscent of sixties but done with modern skills.
I remember when the title song and the video for it came out and I was absolutely enthralled by it. The rest of the album lives up to that, and it was a joy to run through.
This is pretty good, I liked it but after I listened to it I was like…well is this it??? It’s great though 4/5
Gave it a fairer listen, actually enjoyed!
Still an OK album, but I would say Car is a much better album. score in 2008: 7/10 score in 2023: 7/10
A stylish album that doesn't really stick.
It wasn't bad, but I'm not sure what's distinctive about it nor why it has placement on this list. I likely won't listen to it again of my own accord, but I wouldn't be upset if someone else put it on.
My initial reaction was "this is pretty good. They remind me of the Arctic Monkeys." Turns out that's because one of these dudes is also an Arctic Monkey.
This album is a solution in need of a problem, only the "problem" was "What would an Ennio Morricone indie band record sound like." Only, that isn't a problem as much as it is an opportunity. And these folks, took it, ran with it, and finished the race with the aplomb needed for something so garish and extravagant that the world is better off.
Really good. As good as the Arctic Monkeys songs I know in one well curated album.
I found this to be an inoffensive, safe, by the numbers album. Nothing great, nothing bad, nothing I need to listen to before I die. I might enjoy it more if I listened again but idk
Fun! Didn’t know this AM orchestral side project even existed, but the instrumentals are great and I’m a fan of Alex’s earlier vocal delivery. The Meeting Place was a standout for me.
Kind of a filler to me
No thanks
The Good, The Bad, and The Guy That Really Wanted To Be In The Strokes
Nice group, this first album is really good.
3/5 Not for me
01) The Age of the Understatement - 9,5 02) Standing Next to Me - 9,5 03) Calm Like You - 7,5 04) Separate and Ever Deadly - 8,0 05) The Chamber - 8,5 06) Only the Truth - 7,5 07) My Mistakes Were Made for You - 9,5 08) Black Plant - 8,0 09) I Don't Like You Anymore - 8,0 10) In My Room - 7,0 11) Meeting Place - 8,5 12) Time Has Come Again - 8,0 TOTAL: 8,29 (83/100) Staaanding next to meee, staaanding next to mee... Very good album, but I'm saving highest marks for the Arctic Monkeys.
Basically Arctic Monkeys
OK but not special.
Loved!!!
Enjoyable.
Interesting retro sound. I really enjoyed listening to this album. It was a musical experience.
Beatnik, “James Bondish” and “Mad Menish.”
Alex Turner of the Arctic Monkeys has a side gig with some other dudes from small bands. This project is his usual garage revival style but more polished and featuring a lush triumphant orchestral backing, largely inspired by the work of Scott Walker. It's experimental, displaying an array of conflicting sound effects from modern classical to 60s psychedelia to 70s space synths and ambient effects to 90s industrial, which produce unusual but intriguing effects, sometimes working, but at other times being a bit much and harsh, often coming off as pretentious. Sometimes I wonder what the purpose of Turner's voice is except to give it a "pop" or "fun" singalong vibe, maybe to appease to AM fans, because it clashes with the instruments too often. I know this because the parts where he doesn't talk tend to be my favorite in the weaker tracks. That being said, there are plenty of great songs over here. The first 3 are a wonderful strong start that have energy and excitement to pull in audiences. All 5/5 songs. "Separate And Ever Deadly" is a bit messy but certainly very interesting and progressive. 4/5 "The Chamber" is a chamber psychedelic pop piece that works ok; my favorite part being the middle. It doesn't sound right in between two intense songs though, should be moved toward the end. 4/5 Not a fan of the first half of "Only the Truth", but the part after the vocals is my favorite. The ending is ok, pretty epic, but clustered could have been organized better. 3/5 "My Mistakes Were Made For You" is like a lusher AM song. It's the most well-constructed song, with a harmonious mix of the strings, acoustic, and other effects that work pretty well but do muddle each other a bit. 5/5 "Black Plant" is my least favorite but has a cool industrial effect and buzzing bridge. 2/5 "I Don't Like You Anymore" goes back-and-forth between whimsical psychedelic pop (like Country Joe) and an abrasive lo-fi garage style. Not a fan of this much either, especially with the chaotic ending. 3/5 "In My Room" suffers the most with being too over-the-top and overproduced, with unnecessarily cinematic strings and subtle sound effects that sounds off against Turner's slacker singing style. 2/5 "The Meeting Place" is a beautiful baroque pop, acoustic-driven with simple horns and strings that compliment his singing. Not a fan of those 60s pop-inspired percussion in the background but otherwise a great song. 3/5 "Time Has Come Again" is a simple atmospheric acoustic song to close out the record. Simple and lovely but forgettable. 2/5 Average: 3.58/5. Decent track ordering with strong start and appropriate last 2 tracks, but some out-of-place songs (like "The Chamber"). Mixing is fairly good, some songs are too over-the-top and some effects muddle his vocals and essential instruments which come off as messy.
I’m sure my wife will like it a lot more than I did.
Nah. They are called a “supergroup” on Wikipedia but it’s just rehashed Arctic Monkeys.
Better than I expected for mod-ish retro Brit rock. Some clever songwriting and didn’t overstay its welcome.
not my favourite
2 - Actually ruined my morning. Alex Turner's voice has hit new highs of drawling, boring tones. I might just be in a bad mood.
I find Alex Turner's voice annoying and this album is meh, same old. Not for me. More likely to listen to Peter Frampton again tbh.
This is a surprising choice. I had this album as a teenager, but never really thought much of it then, was just an Arctic monkeys fanboy. On relisten The Age of the Understament is a very underwhelming track. But Standing Next to Me is a pleasant surprise, channelling the Scott Walker western vibes well. I mostly feel quite neutral about the rest of the album. Some tracks like Meeting Place are quite effective, others feel like contrived imitations. A generous round up 2.7/5
Not bad. Didn't rock my socks. Good musicianship and songwriting, just a little to melancholy for my taste.
This is pretty cute. Never heard of them. There’s quality here. Good vocals, good production, nice music. Not too pop, not gimmicky. Just good solid music. Me likey. Feels like the kind of band that would play at The Roadhouse in Twin Peaks. Can’t find anything bad to say about this. Good stuff.
I normally despise solo projects, this might not qualify as it is a collaboration. Solid listen here. Arctic Monkeys has grown on me recently and 60-s era baroque pop is a favorite.
Alex Turner!!
this is megan :) i would let alex turner spit on me
Alex Turner you will always be famous.
Good album. Reminds me of 70's Bond film music, but with a hint of grunge/garage rock. Might want to give this one another listen.
It's fine.
wow what a surprise! i had no idea this album was on the list. TLSP is required listening for any Arctic Monkeys fan in my opinion. it’s clear that this group gave Alex permission to try new things, and he was able to bring that into AM (see the orchestration on The Car). while i think this album has some of their best songs, i prefer their 2016 follow-up.
In the olden days, we'd visit local record stores to thumb through albums hoping something would catch our eyes. And all it would take to grab said attention from an artist you'd never heard of was an intriguing album cover. And this one would have been one I'd risk a chance on, not knowing anything about the artist or material on the record. At least you'd have a nice photo you could hang up on your wall if the music was awful. After 3 songs, that's where I was: A great album cover for a shitty album. Then something happened starting with track 4. The damn thing started to grow on me. Maybe it's just an aquired taste (which might be my same problem with the Arctic Monkeys come to think of it). Either that, or the band just isn't good at sequencing the songs and front loaded the album with the 3 worst tracks. Check back with me in a year and I'm sure my rating will change. But I guarantee I'd still be willing to hang that album on my wall. That photo will always rate a 5.
Was honestly good, I weird vibe between 1970 and 2000. I might check it more later, but it’s not an instant it for me. I’ll put a 4 but just like Linkin Park earlier it’s a low 4.
Side project of the Arctic Monkeys lead singer, I wasn’t a big fan of this when this first came out, it was sweepstakes my, cinematic and interesting it so far from what Arctic Monkeys were doing it was a bit of a letdown. Years later, this sounds a lot better, perhaps because the Monkeys have moved more in this direction. A really good album but not an all time classic so no 5 stars from me.
Es un disco bueno, pero no corresponde a mis gustos musicales
1. 4.8 2. 4.3 3. 4 4. 4.2 5. 3.8 6. 3.6 7. 4.5 8. 3.9 9. 4.8 10. 4.8 11. 4.2 12. 4.4
I liked this a lot! It was really fun and I'm excited to listen again.
The album is not bad, but the first part is a bit flat for me, but the second part, starting with My Mistakes Were Made For You is very beautiful, both the likes of Time Has Come Again and the dynamic I Don't Like You Anymore came in. The guys, apparently, decided to save all the most delicious things for dessert.
I would usually expect to go for something like this. Something with some moodiness to it, and with plenty of extravagances with the violins and brass and so on. But... it's just fine. I don't quite click with Alex Turner, either here or with the Arctic Monkeys. The songs just seem a bit superficial and lacking somehow despite all the nice instruments on top. They ultimately don't excite me at all. 2.5 rounded up.
Perfunctorily atmospheric but not really essential
Listenable enough, but it didn't do much for me at the time, and I'm still no wiser. Really surprised to find it on here. 2.5.
I was like "wow, this sounds familiar" and then I visited the Wikipedia page for this band. Now it makes sense- it's the singer from Arctic Monkeys. I do really enjoy how this album sounds. The song 'My Mistakes Were Made For You' came on and I really liked it! Checked Spotify, and it is the most listened to song off the album...oops.
Alright. I little too acid-rocky for my taste.
I tried, but just not enjoyable which is the purpose of listening.
this is ok but definitely nothing stood out.
Another new one to me. Very good listen, cool arrangements and vocal pairing with the guy from Arctic Monkeys.
Haven’t listen to this since it first came out. Didn’t care for it then but now it’s growing on me. Better than the last 2 Arctic monkeys records that is for sure.
Good album but I find it a one and done for me. Not sure why
Cool project but nothing special to me. Sounds like a neat idea they wanted to do and it got notoriety because of Alex Turner. Not bad though, but overall missed me. 3/5
Great album, wasn't aware that this is one half of the Arctic Monkeys
Still at track 6 but overall very nice as expected from the band.
Pretty good. I've actually heard this before. String instrumentation is really good. A lot of songs feel incomplete. Lyrics are homogeneous about girls he likes. I do like the spaghetti western vibe but I don't think the lyrics or lyrical content match the drama.
Solid late 00’s sound but forgettable otherwise
I like the Arctic monkeys
Pretty good stuff. Opening track my favorite. 3.5/5
Solid. Felt like an Arctic Monkey album.
Started out strong. Tailed off for me as it got through the album.
Ok
Fine? Not sure why this is better than anything else in the genre.
I remember being blown away by the title track when I first heard it, then slightly disappointed that so many others sounded so similar. A good album, which probably showed the direction Alex Turner was heading long before his AM work, but I can't shake the feeling that it's a bit self-indulgent and could have been improved by someone driving them on to greater sonic variety. The overall tone is "what if 'Knights of Cydonia' was an album about girls?", which doesn't quite hold my attention. Still good, but a bit of a waste of both guys' talents
1970's movie/drama theme music-esque. Spy thriller, James Bond-ish at times.
Not my favorite but still cool
Sounds too similar to Arctic Monkeys. Like the dude from AM in this band just recycled rejected songs here. Terrible band name too. If you like Arctic Monkeys you probably like this. I don’t like Arctic Monkeys tho.
Es bueno, no lo conocía...
Some pretty solid tracks on this one. Interesting guitar riffs on a couple of these, I tended to like the softer songs at the end of the album better than what felt like a rehash of the classic Artic Monkeys sound in the beginning of the track list. Overall I wasn't blown away by it, tough to even really call it an average album either.
Listened to all of it. Thought the lyrics were a bit inane until I got to the last track and that one was hard-hitting.
Everything that has an Alex Turner signature is gold!
Knew this album before this and really liked it but for some reason always listened to arctic monkeys and not to this so much
Love every second of this album
One of my all time favourites. Love every aspect of this album and it greatly increases my Alex Turner man crush
Listened to this album on a road trip to lake hawea. Very good
Great album although i like everything youve come to expect better
Good find, hadn't heard of these guys before.
I appreciate the album and love the artist. It doesn't knock my socks off, but it is a good album front-to-back. I'm split between three and four, but I'm feeling generous since I do actually enjoy/listen to this music normally.
One of my biggest shocks of this exercise is finding out how much I like Indie music. Favorite track: Standing Next to You
Scott Walker called, he wants his tribute band back.
not a big fan or the artic monkeys, so no surprise i didn't love this
didnt realise this was a supergroup, not bad in parts.
I can see why you’d like that if ur a big fan of the arctic monkeys
Gut gemachtes Indie-Pop-Rock-Album.
3.7
Bluesy riffs were awesome, and the guests mixed it up in a great way
it succeeded in making me want to listen to an arctic monkeys album. could i write poetry to this? y
I wasn't aware of this band/project/album until now. The 60's Retro-Chic vibe is interesting for a bit, but I doubt I'll ever feel a need to listen to it again. I'll give it an extra half-star so it doesn't seem as though I dislike ALL Brit-Pop. Can we just get "(What's the Story) Morning Glory?" out of the way already and then leave the genre alone for a while?
Interesting album. Not sure what to think of it to be honest.
Its fine. Baroque pop inspired but doesnt sound too different to any other pop eock. Interesting back story
Love everything about it, although it has some lows.
I like this. But I also find it boring. 3/5
Alex Turner 😍😍😍😍😍🫶🫶🫶
Waffling on the rating for this one because I liked it but actually it's kind of forgettable so let's go 3.5 and I'm going to score it for on the stars because why not?
Listenable but don't like alex.turners boice
It's fine but it's no am
geht so.
Don't like Arctic monkeys, don't like this
Great! And the last song turned out to be a Bowie cover! I'm gonna share this E.P. with Pete :)
never heard of these guys and immediately heard alex turner. great album. listened to it while i walked my pooch
Love the album cover. Nancy Sinatra vibes. Arctic Monkeys lead man Alex Turner's supergroup? That first track absolutely rips. I like this a lot. Sounds much older. Good production.
Bit over familiar Brit poppy for me
Calm Like You is good. The record has a retro movie soundtrack feel, especially on tracks like My Mistakes Were Made For You.
This seems to be another of those UK centric additions that were then dropped in later editions of the 1001. It's not bad, but it's nothing special, and it gets weird in a not enjoyable way in places.
This album sounds a lot like it's from the 60's with a modern production. Nothing really memorable and I'm not hearing why it's on this list. The thing I liked best was the 34 minute playing time.
Sounded like a British country album, but moved to a more indie vibe. Great experience through and through
Soft 4
I had a great time listening to this album. Can't really go wrong with Alex Turner. My favourite song is My Mistakes Were Made For You
Onbekende artiest voor mij, ondanks dat het album uit de tweede helft zeroes komt. Vroeger was ik niet zo van de Indie muziek, maar nu kan ik het goed waarderen. Ook dit album is een muzikaal en prettig om naar te luisteren.
Moderately interesting; I like the well-executed retro vibe. But overall the album gives the impression of being in a hurry. Right in, right out, on to the next song with alacrity. No particular reason it needed to be on this list but I don't mind having listened.
Mega chill
Alright
Sesenteros. Correctos.
Not bad - given Miles Kane is a part of this I expected to hate it.
You can feel the arctic monkey vibes brought by Alex Turner, liked this one !
Better than expected, like a few others said, its like a full James Bond movie album.
Not bad but I was surprised to see a release date of 2008. I was hearing late 90s and early 2000s while listening to this. 3 out of 5.
surprisingly decent
Another artist I wasn't at all familiar with and so, unsure what to expect. It sounded a lot older than it is, by that I mean, if I hadn't read the wiki page I would have thought it was from the 70's\80's rather than 2000-and-something. I made it through the whole album, which gives it a default 2 stars. I didn't really feel there was much there to give it 3 stars though.
Never heard of them. I Like the sound, but sounds similar to other Brit-Pop
Doesn't do much to me. It sounds a lot like Bowie, and I don't like Bowie.
Really liked this album. Very symphonic, and some of the songs sounded like they should be James Bond movie songs. Hits the musical vibes that I really enjoy and will add into the rotation for sure. First three tracks are great!
Alex turner is magic
Good sound. Songs were OK but nothing really stood out.