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The Age Of The Understatement Image
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 68 Ratings

  • Summary: This is the debut album for the side project of the Artic Monkeys' Alex Turner and The Rascals' Miles Kane.

Top Track

The Age of the Understatement
Decided to sneak off away from your stomach and try your pulse They captured what seemed all unknowing and candid but they suspected it Was... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 25
  2. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. This isn't just a novel idea that is haphazardly hashed out but rather, the work of two impeccable musicians and it's a fine addition to either musician's catalog and a brilliant one at that.
  2. It's a stunning record, a must-have even, but it fails to turn musical excellence into cultural significance and may end up being played in branches of Borders rather than in bedrooms everywhere.
  3. Equal parts 007-intrigue and spaghetti western-histrionics, this is music at its most cinematic.
  4. Under The Radar
    80
    The Age Of The Understatement is just plain good fun. [Spring 2008, p.78]
  5. Pallet deserves equal billing for his album arrangements, which lend The Age of Understatement its epic splendor.
  6. 70
    The up-tempo numbers are great fun, but the Puppets excel on the ballads, which they croon in lovely tight harmony. [May 2008, p.100]
  7. This might be news to the Arctic Monkeys’ Alex Turner, but for every artist there’s a point where aspiration exceeds ability. The Last Shadow Puppets, his new studio dalliance with pal Miles Kane, have way overshot it on The Age Of The Understatement.

See all 25 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 8
  2. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. sk
    May 7, 2008
    10
    A beautiful and inspiring album. definitely one of the greatest and most interesting releases of the year.
  2. Feb 12, 2012
    8
    The band should be called The Last Shadow Puppets And Owen Pallett, because the work Owen did for this album is marvellous, as well as theThe band should be called The Last Shadow Puppets And Owen Pallett, because the work Owen did for this album is marvellous, as well as the beautiful songs that Alex turner and Miles Kane wrote. A wonderful side project for both! Expand
  3. Dec 28, 2013
    8
    A beautifully crafted record with some excellent production going on. The Last Shadow Puppets sees two obviously highly talented songwritersA beautifully crafted record with some excellent production going on. The Last Shadow Puppets sees two obviously highly talented songwriters joing forces. While the result is less than the sum of its parts and with Turner especially capable of more, the record fares well when considered as a side project. For the most part Turner's work with his motherband far surpass what he does here. While dealing with a style that could be likened to something from the late 50's/early 60's, remarkably it's the freshness of ideas and the production that impresses most with much of the album having a sound that falls somewhere between Scott Walker and The La's. "Staqnding Next To Me" and "Black Plant" stand out. Expand
  4. Mick
    May 7, 2008
    7
    After the first song the album has a weak(ish) first half after that it is pretty good though. Overall a decent album - that won't be to After the first song the album has a weak(ish) first half after that it is pretty good though. Overall a decent album - that won't be to everyones taste. Expand
  5. Aug 24, 2010
    7
    This is a generally nice album, with the title track and the second song "Standing next to me" being the highlights. those 2 songs are whatThis is a generally nice album, with the title track and the second song "Standing next to me" being the highlights. those 2 songs are what really makes the album a 7. otherwise, there wasnt much here to satisfy my expectations. none of the other songs are amazing, is what im saying. yet again, none of the songs are terrible either. less rocky than your average arctic monkeys, if you liked the arctic monkeys less headbanger songs, this is a potentially great album. not essential, but worth a try. 7/10 Expand
  6. DBrandon
    May 6, 2008
    6
    The title track is the overall best number; it all goes slightly down hill from there. To my ears, mostly every song sounds as if it's The title track is the overall best number; it all goes slightly down hill from there. To my ears, mostly every song sounds as if it's an extension from the previous one. Too much of the same thing going on here. Expand
  7. PaulC
    May 7, 2008
    6
    I can't help but feel the whole album should have been a lot better than it ended up being. It's a fun but uneven album, which I can't help but feel the whole album should have been a lot better than it ended up being. It's a fun but uneven album, which leaves you in the end unfullfilled. Expand

See all 8 User Reviews