Hey guys, As you may not know, I'm probably the biggest Arctic Monkey fan this side of sanity. So, in December when Alex Turner...

Hey guys,

As you may not know, I'm probably the biggest Arctic Monkey fan this side of sanity. So, in December when Alex Turner's side project 'The Last Shadow Puppets' released a snippet, announcing a new album, I was happier than Kanye West listening to Kanye West talking about Kanye West.

This is their first new material since 2008 and I'm still recovering from that torrent of awesomeness, if I'm being honest.

I heard the album upon release day but I've waited a few weeks to let the euphoria settle so that I could write a fair comment on the album (if I wrote this after my first listen, phrases such as God, Defining, Coleridge-esque, orgasmic, supreme, Lennon and Mccartney would have plagued my response). 

I'm going to review each song and then give a final opinion.

1. Aviation 
"My planet or yours"

The album kicks off with one of their most raucous singles ever. Aviation initially sounded like something that could have gone on the puppets previous album. It is a real head banger and has a fantastic riff that rings throughout. Miles Kane leads on this and instantly I got the feeling he has grown into the Chelsea boots required to compete with Mr. Turner. I always felt as though Alex overshadowed him on their last album and with more songs like this, that view would surely dissipate. The video to this song is as fun as the song and definitely worth a watch.

2. Miracle Aligner 
"Was born to blow your mind, or something along those line"

The pace slowed for this one and Alex Turner took over on the leads. It's very Turner, with vivid imagery and fun wordplay and it almost sounded like a throw away from his Submarine ep. With all this being said, the song was only okay. In further listens, I have found myself skipping past it as it slows the pace drastically from the album's opener. 

3. Dracula Teeth
"Pinball machine's on mute"

The bass on this is kicked ass. The pace was similar to Miracle Aligner, but it felt harder and got my head bopping. I love how he used the words Dracula Teeth and they don't sound clunky or out of place. I really liked this one, it has all of the Turner hallmarks and depicts a beautiful women that's alluring but dangerous to Bram Stoker proportions.

4. Everything You've Come To Expect
"As I walk through the chalet of shadow of death"

By the time I reached this track I was happy with what I'd heard thus far, it's safe to say the album was living up to it's name. Mr Turner lead the vocals on this one and it's eerily haunting but at the same time beautiful. The violins were on full effect here and the sounds keeps you interested throughout. The video is definitely worth a watch Click here

5. The Element of Surprise
"It feels like your entrance caused the temperature to rise"

This one had elements of the The Cribs and David Bowie. Whenever I listened to it I could just imagine Ziggy Stardust swooning through the chorus. Alex Turner again took the lead of the vocals here, and his singing was very smooth and nonchalant. It sounded as though he did this in one take on Saturday morning between combing his hair and sparking a cigarette. It really works and this song feels like a dream sequence from start to finish.


6. Bad Habits
"Should have known little girl that you'd do me wrong"

Miles screams and struts his stuff on the lead single from the album. I love this track, it's a foot stamper and it sounded like they had a lot of fun making it. The bass line was in your face and packed a punch! Certain parts, the quieter bits, sounded like they could have been on Age of Understatement and I like that the boys tipped their hats to their first effort. One of my favs from this album and it's constantly being played in my car.

7. Sweet Dreams TN
"I just sorta always feel sick without you baby"

Every Arctic album has that moment, usually half way through, where the pace drops and the subject matter turns to desperate forlorn love. Only ones who know; Cornerstone; Number 1 party anthem are all songs that the Monkeys used to 'switch it up'. Incidentally, these songs are some of my favourite Arctic songs of all time. When I first heard Sweet Dreams TN I instantly fell in love with it. The opening line and thudding sombre piano told me it was broken love time and like the times before I enjoyed every moment of it. The ending is big and loud, and sounds like something befitting Shirley Bassey and James Bond. I found a wonderful rendition of this gem on YouTube click here check it out.

8. Used To Be My Girl
"I'm a liar, I'm a cheat, a leech, a thief"

This one sounded like an 'AM' b-side when I heard it. The heavy bass and hard hitting drums made me look at the sleeve and check if Helders and O'Malley snuck in to the studio to play on the track. The song wasn't a favourite of mine, its okay but I felt the lyrics got drowned out by the instruments. There aren't many memorable moments within the track for me. 

9. She Does The Woods
"She'll jump in the river, you'll wish you're the water"

Thought I was listening to 'Suck it and See' era Arctics with this one. It was a cool track and Turner floated from verse to verse with ease. The song was about a succubus who completely controls her men. These type of women seem to gravitate towards Alex's story telling. I wonder about the type of women that he meets that fuel these stories. The song was a good listen but not one that I've raved about.

10. Pattern
"Sunlight banging on the walls, begging me for more promises"

Miles took the lead for this track and I loved it. It has a more AM hip hop inspired vibe to it. The subtle tones of the orchestra in the background were beautiful and it was a gorgeous mix of what I love about this band. There was a fanfare sound about 2 minutes into the track that sounded really similar to 'Whoa' from hip hop artist Black Rob. There was an awful lot happening in this track from the violins to the slap bass guitar. It's a highlight of the album and definitely worth a listen. 

11. The Dream Synopsis
"It was you and me and Miles Kane and some kid I went to school with, isn't it ugly when I talk about my visions of the past..."

The album was brought to a close with a great track that is very Alex Turner. Piano, bass guitar and subtle snares accompany some smooth vocals on this one. The pace was massively slowed and it highlighted Alex's ability to paint pictures. It's this type of vivid imagery that made me fall in love with the Arctic Monkeys in the first place. Their first album was an ode to being a young adult and partying, meeting girls and spending time with your mates. This song explored a dream he had about a former lover and how he wished he could go back to a time when the dream was a reality. I also love the mention of 'Sheffield City Centre' because he's always given a tough time about his perceived abandonment of his roots. 

Final verdict - 7/10

It's a great album from two individuals that have done so much in between their last collaboration. There are many highs on this album, Aviation, Sweet Dreams TN and Pattern being my favourites. There are also a few songs that I would have preferred to see as B-sides. I'm a massive Alex Turner fan and I think he is one of the best songwriters to ever come out of the UK. As with any Turner project there is a lot of wonderful word play, catchy choruses and just a sense of cool. 

This next bit might come as a surprise to those that know me, brace yourself. I would have liked to have seen more from Miles Kane. He has definitely developed as an artist and brings something raw to this project, Bad Habits'being a perfect example. Apparently there will be a third album to complete this project. This album has definitely not dulled any of my desires to hear more Puppets, I just feel as though I'd like to hear more of one half of the band than the other... (Shocking, blasphemy)

Until next time x