The Age of the Understatement

yea this is cool and vibey. Black Plant is cool.

When using an orchestra, it's always a fine balance before it turns into kitsch. And I think this album does balance the line particularly well. It is still showing off that 1960's British sound combined with the 2000's Indie Rock, without tipping over.

The album also feels quite laid-back, even with the immense speed of some of the songs. I thoroughly enjoyed it.,

What if a band from 1967 travelled in time and tried to make it in the early 2000s music scene? That's pretty much what this album is. Or maybe it's just like Artic Monkeys trying to sound like it's 1967. Either way, I kind of like it. It's not anything super unique or revolutionary but it was fun to listen to once. Huge sound throughout which I appreciate and there is a lot going on. Some of it sounds a little like a movie soundtrack. I saw one review that said something about it sounding like a James Bond movie and that's about right. But like old Sean Connery James Bond. I don't think I'd listen again but there were a few songs I liked. But now that it's over I can't really recall how they sounded. 3/5

This wasn’t bad. It didn’t do all that much for me but it was decent. None of the songs were all that memorable. I guess it just doesn’t stand out as something worth going out of my way for. If you’re looking for a 60s garage rock inspired side project I’d recommend The Foxboro Hot Tubs over this. They also aren’t breaking new ground, but at least they bring some energy and fun to it.

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

Sounds like two young guys found their grandads' old Swinging London gear. Enjoyed it a lot more than I expected to.

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

It’s OK. It sounds like Arctic Monkeys with a slightly 60s-ish loung-y vibe

Better than I expected for mod-ish retro Brit rock. Some clever songwriting and didn’t overstay its welcome.

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.

Pretty good stuff. Opening track my favorite.

3.5/5

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

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?

This isn't a bad album, but I'm not sure why it is in the book. It would make more sense if the book was called 1001 Albums to Listen to from the 00s.

It is strange to have only one Arctic Monkeys album on the list, but also include a Last Shadow Puppets album. I would prefer AM, Favourite Worst Nightmare, and Humbug over this album. For that reason, I can only give this album two stars.

Really cool retro vide. Never heard of this band before but I am digging their sound.

This is fine I guess, but I'm a bit puzzled why it made it into this list. It didn't exactly make a huge splash at the time, and doesn't interest me any more in 2023 than it did in 2008. It's not terrible, but does wear its 60s influences on its sleeve. I just don't find the songwriting particularly interesting.

Trying too hard. Talented but not my jam.

Ihan jees Bowie-fiilistelyt. Sanotaan 3.5/5, mut menköön nelosena

Desde la portada el disco transmite ese efecto años 60/70 que también tienen algunos temas y que es lo mejor del disco. "The age of the understanding", "Standing next to me" y "Calm like you" son los tres primeros disparos y son tan buenos que luego el disco parece desinflarse más de la cuenta. Experimento secundario de sus autores mejor de lo que podría parecer.

Absolutely didn't need to hear this before I died, which is probably why it's no longer in the book. Very derivative. Had a few good tracks (Separate and Deadly and The Chamber), but generally completely forgettable. Did my two listens and done.