Tank park salute
Who saw this coming? Not me. Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys in a proper video, miming in front of Russian tanks and everything! For his collaborative side project with Miles Kane of The Rascals, The Last Shadow Puppets, the boy Turner has come out of his shell. The superb video for the first single, The Age Of The Understatement, can be viewed here. Whatever you think of the Arctic Monkeys (and you know what I think), you really should give a listen to this glorious, widescreen music. The album - same name - comes out on April 21, with the single released the week before, on April 14. I've heard the album and it has knocked my socks off. Produced by James Ford (Simian Mobile Disco, Klaxons album) and arranged by Owen Pallett (Arcade Fire), it's ambitious and torrid and big, all strings and horns and melodrama, like something Scott Walker might have done for Philips in 1967. And yet Turner and Kane are only 22. I'd be keen to hear what other people think of the single, especially if you don't care too much for the Monkeys. I care a lot. (I've written a full review of the album for the next Word.)
posted by Andrew Collins @ 12:45 PM
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I think it's great, I was dubious when they were throwing out descriptions of what it would sound like but it seems they were totally vindicated. I was talking among friends about the nature of the cyclic nature of the music industry and I think we've passed out of the post-post-punk landscape and there are probably not going to be any good debut albums coming out of that sub-genre anymore. The two trends we picked up upon of late are the infusion of African and non 4/4 based music as found on Yeasayer, Vampire Weekend, Foals and so on and the Sixties revisted but this time the music not made by The Beatles, Stones and Kinks. (Thinking of the likes of this, Duffy, Amy Winehouse, The Pipettes, Laura Marling and so on.)
Andrew, have you heard the b-side Bowie cover "In The Heat Of The Morning" yet?
I like the single, but don't love it. Acoustic versions of some of the songs are floating about on youtube though, and sound promising. Looking forward to hearing the finished version.
I'm not a fan of the Monkeys... though the Monkees are alright.
I find this song overblown, personally - and the lyrics are bloody awful.
You did ask!
This is on MTV2 a lot at the moment and the video is dour and uninspiring.
Unlike the new MGMT single... also constantly on the same channel, but which manages to be psychedelic and joyous and mental.
I dunno about the video... There's something very Robson & Jerome about 2 men walking and singing in a winter landscape. Not really a fan of the current retro sound (a la Duffy) either.
Mitchell, I've not heard the b-sides yet as they've not been released to the press. (I received an advance CD of the single today, with no b-sides on it - a disappointing modern development in the world of music PR, like the "copy protected" albums that won't play in the car!)
However, I did listen to the Bowie original this morning and I love it.
Swines, I love the MGMT single, too. It's a nutty album, with loads to recommend it. Part-Syd Barrett, part-Scissor Sisters.
Last Shadow Puppets have a lot more charm than Duffy, I think.
Managed to get hold of the MGMT album too!
*looks shifty*
Like you say - 'nutty' in all the right ways. They'll be big those youngsters.
I think the video is supposed to be tongue-in-cheek?!
And I agree that Last Shadow Puppets have a lot more charm than Duffy, while she has a great voice, she seems a bit vacant...
This is the album artwork for the Age of the Understatement
http://aycu09.webshots.com/image/46688/2002783421818327512_rs.jpg
Can anyone identify that woman, she looks familiar to me?
Heard it for the first time last night on Maconie's Radio 2 show and was knocked out by it. Widescreen is the right term for it (IMAX almost!). At first I thought that Turner's voice was somewhat incongruous coupled with such glossy production but I soon changed my mind. I was decorating while listening to this and it actually made me sit down and listen properly! Looking forward to the album
According to Wikipedia Scott Walker was only 23 for at least the first few days of 1967. And he'd never heard Scott Walker albums.
I like the Monkeys a lot but this single leaves me a bit cold. It sounds a bit pastiche Scott Walker to me, like they thought, "Let's do something like that," and then did. Maybe it'll grab me later though. And it's nice to hear him actually singing a bit. He's got a great voice but it usually only gets a proper outing on covers.
So, it's 'Johnny Remember Me' by John Leyton but for a new millenium.
Don't like the Monkeys much, like the Rascals less. I like Joe Meek so as a single, it's a pass. An album would be interesting. Still prefer the musings of Sufjan Stevens and Stuart Murdoch to Alex Turner.
The great coat is back! Must dig out those Echo & the Bunnymen and Joy Division CDs... Oh, that's right: I never actually put them away did I?
David, Liverpool
I'm sort of slightly blown away by it although the superb production and beautifully measured arrangement make it. I am trying to think what it would be without that solid foundation. Possibly a bit forced and a bit 80's statement track maybe? Yes - they are SO young aren't they? I'm sure I wasn't that grown up at the same age. The video has it's moments but I kept getting flashbacks to 'the other ice-skating promo' Robbie Williams video (She's the One) and Elton John's Nikita! The snow reminded me of Emerson Lake and Palmer and U2 for some reason. I think the video may have been more powerful set to documentary footage of fighting in Chechnya or something really galling and meaningful rather than two guys wandering, lip syncing in the cold to a flimsy narrative.....but it works. I will listen to more once it comes out.
I think its a grower, wasn't fussed the first time I heard it but now I think its a corker. I agree that it's a more mature sound than I expected from a couple of 22 year olds but then again I think Alex Turner always has the power to surprise.
Janice
my thoughts on the video were more hoddle & waddle, but still...
I've heard it a few times and I can't help thinking it sounds like The Coral. Only not as good.
Bizarre. But I like.
By the way, the other guy (i.e. not Alex Turner, I'm assuming he's Miles Kane) looks like the lovechild of Neils Morrissey and Tennant.
Debbie Holt
Somebody anonymously - and brilliantly - just compared the single to Obsessed by 999 (one of my old favourite bands). Thanks for the reminder, Anonymous. (Remember: anonymous comments will not be published, no matter how brilliant.)
It's on YouTube here.
The Bowie cover is knocking about on youtube now...
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