Alex Turner and Miles Kane's second offering is another string-laden pop album, but with a twist of L.A. for good measure.
Glimpse of their romance: Taylor, 28, has been a regular fixture in Alex's life, and even spent time with Turner and Miles Kane while they were billeted in an LA recording their latest LP for The. Miles Kane is not only a fan favourite, he is a favourite's favourite. Whether it's his stablemate Alex Turner or artists further afield, Miles Kane always attracts the best and the brightest and his new song ‘Loaded' is a showcase of that fcat. The members are Miles Kane (The Rascals and solo career), Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys), Zach Dawes (Mini Mansions), and James Ford (Simian, music producer). They are joined by Tyler Parkford (Mini Mansions) and Loren Humphrey (Guards, music producer). Most of the focus does tend to be on Alex Turner and Miles Kane and their 'bromance.' #lana del rey #the last shadow puppets #tlsp #alex turner #miles kane #. #audio #idk about the legality of this but oh well #tbh i know like 1 other lana song i'm just here for tlsp #edit: ok i definitely should've said this when i posted this: #alex is not a part of this #only lana + miles zach loren and tyler #so many people are saying how much they can hear alex's touch in this lmao #people. Later that year, Turner announced plans to form a side project with Miles Kane, who'd previously toured with Arctic Monkeys as the frontman of supporting act the Rascals. Dubbing themselves the Last Shadow Puppets, Turner and Kane released a lushly orchestrated debut album, The Age of the Understatement, in April 2008.
Eight years on since their debut, 2008's ‘The Age Of The Understatement', a lot has changed for Alex Turner and Miles Kane. Arctic Monkeys are now bigger and bolder than ever before, becoming one of the worlds most loved bands, Miles Kane has released two successful solo albums and most notably Alex Turner has swapped the grey skies of Sheffield for the sunshine luxury's of Los Angeles.
Alex Turner Miles Kane Annie Macleod
The duo seem to be really enjoying themselves right now, judging by their recent interview with Annie Mac on BBC Radio 1, both trying to out do one another with impressions of Radio 1 Breakfast Show DJ Nick Grimshaw. Whether they were both drunk, stoned or suffering from jet lag as they suggested, you get the impression that there's no weight on their shoulders, or pressure to deliver and they don't take themselves seriously at all, which is really refreshing in today's industry. They appear as if they are buying into their own brand of ‘rockstar', an eccentric, crazed couple of best friends who get together every so often to make great music and go off around the world for another laugh. Surely this is the aim for any band? The duo were recently interviewed for Spin Magazine during which Kane made a pass at interviewer Rachel Brodsky asking her if she wanted to go upstairs, something which could of very easily happened in the 90's. He has since given her a written apology, however this didn't stop Brodsky writing in detail about how uncomfortable the interview left her feeling. It seems as the rock star cliches are kicking in!
Easycap mac os x driver for mac. Recorded at Rick Rubins Shangri La Studios in Malibu, California during the summer of 2015, ‘Everything You've Come To Expect' definitely feels like a progression from the Scott Walker inspired debut. The LA influence on Turner has sunk in and is clearly shown throughout. There's great one liners such as 'As I walk through the chalet of the shadow of death' and 'Where d'you want it? It's your decision honey. My planet or yours?'. Tongue and cheek? Definitely. Although, it feels like the majority of the songs on this record belong to Turner and not Kane. They are a little more melancholic and intricate than anything on the first. To me, the debut sounded like Turner lending a hand to Kane to pursue something different whilst standing at the crossroads of life, whereas this album feels more like Kane keeping Turner company while the Monkeys are on a break. And why not? What they do together is great thing. But one thing on this record is clear, it's being driven by Turner.
As a whole, the album feels like it could have easily been the follow up record to one of the Monkey's latter albums ‘Suck It And See' or ‘AM'. ‘Miracle Aligner' and ‘Dracula Teeth' sound like the perfect tunes to break out the BBQ to come summer. There's hints of The Style Council and definitely some Isaac Hayes 70's soul influences here, thanks to the ‘third puppet', Owen Pallet, and his string arrangements.'The Element of Surprise' has more 70's soul strings bursting through a funky beat and dubbed bassline. They sound like they're playing with more style, a little harder and sleazier than on the first record as ‘Bad Habits' and ‘Used To Be My Girl' demonstrate. ‘Used To Be My Girl' could of easily been on the Monkey's third album ‘Humbug' although Kane takes lead vocals on this one with Turner chipping in occasionally with more great one liners such as 'I'm a phony, I'm a freak, a fraud, a snake'. ‘Aviation' is the closest the record gets to sounding like something from their debut. Fast paced, good melody and arguably Kane's best vocal ever. It's no wonder why this has been the best received single so far out of the three. For me, it's the best track on the album and also one of the best music videos I have seen in a long time. The title track and second single takes us to toy-town with massive swings of psychedelia as the harpsichord plods on throughout, sounds of waves crashing and particularly odd lyrics all combined with Pallet's beautiful string arrangement. A definiete highlight on the album. Once again, the video for the track is incredible. Set on a beach, the duo buried in sand with a bride dancing around them as the waves come in crashing over their heads. It's great to see more vision in a music video than just a performance piece.
Alex Turner's obsession with Elvis continues on ‘Sweet Dreams, TN'. One of my favourites from the record, a slow bluesy piano led stomper which builds and builds into a classic Turner written crescendo again with a brilliant string arrangement. The puppets are currently on tour and with footage emerging of the new songs, it wont be long until Turner evolves into Elvis, judging by the way he moves on stage with his typical swagger and arms floating separate to his body. The album concludes with ‘The Dream Synopsis', another Turner sung track in the vein of John Lennon's ‘Just Like Starting Over', but this is classic Turner, it could be a brother of ‘Cornerstone', ‘Piledriver Waltz' and ‘No1 Party Anthem'. This is what I would expect from an Alex Turner solo album, and in many respects the Puppets second offering does give that impression (no offence Miles). Grids for instagram 6 0 38.
Whether they decided to do this second album out of boredom or not, I'm certainly glad that they did. A great partnership as songwriters and performers. ‘Everything You've Come To Expect' isn't as direct as their debut album but it's definitely delivers a better standard of writing from and sounds like a band who have a lot more to give.
Words by Pete Forbes
Rating:
It's been a long time coming, the sequel to 2008's The Age of Understatement, and eight years on The Last Shadow Puppets' sophomore effort had big shoes to fill. Fresh off the back of two number-one Arctic Monkeys albums, Alex Turner teamed up with his friend Miles Kane off The Rascals to produce the Mercury Prize nominated, number-one album Understatement. Full of rambling poeticisms and a string section to signal that this was a new group which had no typical self-doubts of a new band. Understatement created a cult fandom; those who loved the lyrical stylings of Turner and Kane and indeed the overall musical product of what the created when playing guitar in the same room together. Imagine the joy when, in January, they announced that the title of the album would be Everything You've Come to Expect.
Glimpse of their romance: Taylor, 28, has been a regular fixture in Alex's life, and even spent time with Turner and Miles Kane while they were billeted in an LA recording their latest LP for The. Miles Kane is not only a fan favourite, he is a favourite's favourite. Whether it's his stablemate Alex Turner or artists further afield, Miles Kane always attracts the best and the brightest and his new song ‘Loaded' is a showcase of that fcat. The members are Miles Kane (The Rascals and solo career), Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys), Zach Dawes (Mini Mansions), and James Ford (Simian, music producer). They are joined by Tyler Parkford (Mini Mansions) and Loren Humphrey (Guards, music producer). Most of the focus does tend to be on Alex Turner and Miles Kane and their 'bromance.' #lana del rey #the last shadow puppets #tlsp #alex turner #miles kane #. #audio #idk about the legality of this but oh well #tbh i know like 1 other lana song i'm just here for tlsp #edit: ok i definitely should've said this when i posted this: #alex is not a part of this #only lana + miles zach loren and tyler #so many people are saying how much they can hear alex's touch in this lmao #people. Later that year, Turner announced plans to form a side project with Miles Kane, who'd previously toured with Arctic Monkeys as the frontman of supporting act the Rascals. Dubbing themselves the Last Shadow Puppets, Turner and Kane released a lushly orchestrated debut album, The Age of the Understatement, in April 2008.
Eight years on since their debut, 2008's ‘The Age Of The Understatement', a lot has changed for Alex Turner and Miles Kane. Arctic Monkeys are now bigger and bolder than ever before, becoming one of the worlds most loved bands, Miles Kane has released two successful solo albums and most notably Alex Turner has swapped the grey skies of Sheffield for the sunshine luxury's of Los Angeles.
Alex Turner Miles Kane Annie Macleod
The duo seem to be really enjoying themselves right now, judging by their recent interview with Annie Mac on BBC Radio 1, both trying to out do one another with impressions of Radio 1 Breakfast Show DJ Nick Grimshaw. Whether they were both drunk, stoned or suffering from jet lag as they suggested, you get the impression that there's no weight on their shoulders, or pressure to deliver and they don't take themselves seriously at all, which is really refreshing in today's industry. They appear as if they are buying into their own brand of ‘rockstar', an eccentric, crazed couple of best friends who get together every so often to make great music and go off around the world for another laugh. Surely this is the aim for any band? The duo were recently interviewed for Spin Magazine during which Kane made a pass at interviewer Rachel Brodsky asking her if she wanted to go upstairs, something which could of very easily happened in the 90's. He has since given her a written apology, however this didn't stop Brodsky writing in detail about how uncomfortable the interview left her feeling. It seems as the rock star cliches are kicking in!
Easycap mac os x driver for mac. Recorded at Rick Rubins Shangri La Studios in Malibu, California during the summer of 2015, ‘Everything You've Come To Expect' definitely feels like a progression from the Scott Walker inspired debut. The LA influence on Turner has sunk in and is clearly shown throughout. There's great one liners such as 'As I walk through the chalet of the shadow of death' and 'Where d'you want it? It's your decision honey. My planet or yours?'. Tongue and cheek? Definitely. Although, it feels like the majority of the songs on this record belong to Turner and not Kane. They are a little more melancholic and intricate than anything on the first. To me, the debut sounded like Turner lending a hand to Kane to pursue something different whilst standing at the crossroads of life, whereas this album feels more like Kane keeping Turner company while the Monkeys are on a break. And why not? What they do together is great thing. But one thing on this record is clear, it's being driven by Turner.
As a whole, the album feels like it could have easily been the follow up record to one of the Monkey's latter albums ‘Suck It And See' or ‘AM'. ‘Miracle Aligner' and ‘Dracula Teeth' sound like the perfect tunes to break out the BBQ to come summer. There's hints of The Style Council and definitely some Isaac Hayes 70's soul influences here, thanks to the ‘third puppet', Owen Pallet, and his string arrangements.'The Element of Surprise' has more 70's soul strings bursting through a funky beat and dubbed bassline. They sound like they're playing with more style, a little harder and sleazier than on the first record as ‘Bad Habits' and ‘Used To Be My Girl' demonstrate. ‘Used To Be My Girl' could of easily been on the Monkey's third album ‘Humbug' although Kane takes lead vocals on this one with Turner chipping in occasionally with more great one liners such as 'I'm a phony, I'm a freak, a fraud, a snake'. ‘Aviation' is the closest the record gets to sounding like something from their debut. Fast paced, good melody and arguably Kane's best vocal ever. It's no wonder why this has been the best received single so far out of the three. For me, it's the best track on the album and also one of the best music videos I have seen in a long time. The title track and second single takes us to toy-town with massive swings of psychedelia as the harpsichord plods on throughout, sounds of waves crashing and particularly odd lyrics all combined with Pallet's beautiful string arrangement. A definiete highlight on the album. Once again, the video for the track is incredible. Set on a beach, the duo buried in sand with a bride dancing around them as the waves come in crashing over their heads. It's great to see more vision in a music video than just a performance piece.
Alex Turner's obsession with Elvis continues on ‘Sweet Dreams, TN'. One of my favourites from the record, a slow bluesy piano led stomper which builds and builds into a classic Turner written crescendo again with a brilliant string arrangement. The puppets are currently on tour and with footage emerging of the new songs, it wont be long until Turner evolves into Elvis, judging by the way he moves on stage with his typical swagger and arms floating separate to his body. The album concludes with ‘The Dream Synopsis', another Turner sung track in the vein of John Lennon's ‘Just Like Starting Over', but this is classic Turner, it could be a brother of ‘Cornerstone', ‘Piledriver Waltz' and ‘No1 Party Anthem'. This is what I would expect from an Alex Turner solo album, and in many respects the Puppets second offering does give that impression (no offence Miles). Grids for instagram 6 0 38.
Whether they decided to do this second album out of boredom or not, I'm certainly glad that they did. A great partnership as songwriters and performers. ‘Everything You've Come To Expect' isn't as direct as their debut album but it's definitely delivers a better standard of writing from and sounds like a band who have a lot more to give.
Words by Pete Forbes
Rating:
It's been a long time coming, the sequel to 2008's The Age of Understatement, and eight years on The Last Shadow Puppets' sophomore effort had big shoes to fill. Fresh off the back of two number-one Arctic Monkeys albums, Alex Turner teamed up with his friend Miles Kane off The Rascals to produce the Mercury Prize nominated, number-one album Understatement. Full of rambling poeticisms and a string section to signal that this was a new group which had no typical self-doubts of a new band. Understatement created a cult fandom; those who loved the lyrical stylings of Turner and Kane and indeed the overall musical product of what the created when playing guitar in the same room together. Imagine the joy when, in January, they announced that the title of the album would be Everything You've Come to Expect.
Then imagine the confusion when Bad Habits was released as the first single from the album. Turner took a back seat on the vocals as Kane called out a series of short, snappy lines about nothing in particular besides the sexual undertones which are relentless through the track (and to a degree the album). The opening verse in its entirety being: ‘Bad Habits, / Sick Puppy, / Thigh High, / Knee Deep'. An addictive bass guitar riff by new TLSP addition Zach Dawes of Mini Mansions was some kind of salvation for those potentially disappointed. Not exactly echoing Understatement, but undeniably signalling a new direction for the band – lusty eroticisms which arose in 2013's AM evidently carrying through into Turner's new work, and thus to TLSP. Fans were worried – surely the boys hadn't lost their mojo? Surely this wasn't the best track off the album?
Thankfully, it wasn't. In the build up to the album's release the title track Everything You've Come to Expect and Aviation, the opening track on the album, were released – and they were much more what we were expecting. The eponymous track boasting the verbal mastery which Turner has become associated with had returned with flair. Slowed right down from Bad Habits, the title track flaunted Kane and Turner's vocal prowess with falsetto harmonies and lines such as ‘Dirtbag ballet by the bins down the alley as / I walk through the chalet of the shadow of death' – the Puppets were back on form. Aviation, however, is a masterstroke. Combining strong vocal performances with a sublime-yet-simple guitar riff, accompanied by Owen Pallet's string arrangement lead to possibly the best track on the album. Why they didn't announce the album with this, we may never know, yet perhaps it was the cheeky humour stylings of Turner and Kane throwing a curveball at fans, given the album's title. Regardless, it's a fantastic opening number and best epitomises what the Puppets are about.
The album was soon released, and, in truth, I was slightly nervous. I'd been talking about how great this album would be for so long and I was hoping for something special to follow AM and indeed Understatement. The album is not without flaw, but undeniably a success. Games for both mac and pc. Turner and Kane demonstrate fine form, and Everything You've Come to Expect generally flows and has a consistency across lyrics and melodies. Three huge high points from the album-only tracks are surely Miracle Aligner, Sweet Dreams, TN and The Dream Synopsis. On Miracle Aligner, Kane supports Turner's wide vocal range on an acoustic guitar, harkening back to the duo's debut stylistically, even if lyrical subject matter has changed. Sweet Dreams, TN is the unexpected gift of Everything You've Come to Expect. A love song with a twist – sexual imagery pervades every fibre of this wannabe-ballad. From the driving drum beat behind the rise and fall of the melody before a raucous musical climax as the number comes to a close. This song is an absolute must listen (since the album came out I've probably listened to this track off the album more than any other). The closing track, The Dream Synopsis, is worthy of note also. Penned by Turner alone, he slows the album right down with a piano part to start – even referencing his roots of ‘Sheffield City Centre'. Arguably his most self-aware release in a long time, the album ends on relationship self-doubt – ‘It must be torture when I talk about my dreams', contrasting the confidence the duo profess to have with women in the rest of the album. It seemed rather fitting to end with the vail of bravado being torn down, exposing a maturity which couldn't have been attained last time around.
As I mentioned, the album isn't without flaw. Bad Habits sticks out like a sore thumb – its inclusion breaks up the tone, flow and overall quality of the album. I would absolutely call that out as a low point. A couple of the tracks also have a hint of forgetability about them – Dracula Teeth and The Element of Surprise fall into this category. They didn't blow me away by any means.
Alex Turner Miles Kane Annie Macmillan
All in all, Everything You've Come to Expect is a triumph. Turner and Kane consistently deliver a strong command of their craft, and, with a few blips, show how they've come to be so highly regarded in the British music scene. It's not by any means a head-banger, but the boys are on to something great. The album is unsurprisingly confident, and builds on everything that they've done before – together and separately – creating a great album which is a must-listen for 2016.
