hylghchmbrln: music

Vinyl Collection (May 2016)

, by Unknown

Album Review: 'Everything You've Come To Expect' - The Last Shadow Puppets

It’s been eight long years since Arctic Monkey’s front man Alex Turner and psychedelic singer Miles Kane released their 60s mod inspired master piece album ‘The Age Of The Understatement’. Yes, it has been that long. Alas, The Last Shadow Puppets are back with their second album ‘Everything You’ve Come To Expect’, and ironically, it wasn’t what I was expecting at all.

Opening the album is ‘Aviation’, its dramatic and then forms into their typical 60s bassy sound. Kane sings softly “where do you want it? It’s your decision honey.” It sends chills down my spine as Turner joins in with backing vocals when the chorus kicks in. These two are the dream team together. ‘Miracle Aligner’ is something you’d hear in a film, it’s almost theatrical to a certain extent. Again, it’s one of Turner’s songs and is very easy listening. As the song progresses to the bridge, I get a nostalgic feeling, like I’ve heard this sound before. It hit me, it sounds like ‘Reckless Serenade’ from Arctic Monkey’s fifth album ‘Suck It And See’. Not completely, but it’s got that 50s love song vibe going on.

The first song on the album to be released was ‘Bad Habits’, a song that very much underwhelmed me when I first gave it a listen. It sounded the exact same as ‘The Age Of The Understatement’ and it has that same heavy beat, with light bass. Added with Kane’s vocals, it just felt too ‘samey’. It feels like an unfinished song, but never the less it is a grower, and thinking about it, it suits Kane’s style a lot more than imagining Turner singing the vocals. We know its Kane’s forte that he thrives in 60s psychedelia sounds, and this is apparent in ‘Everything You’ve Come To Expect’ their forth song on the album. It was their second single, and honestly it’s the song on the album that is the turning point for me. It’s Turner and Kane at their best, with a more subtle theatrical 60s sound added with 70s soul. Both the boys sing with their husky voices “Tiger eyelashes, summer wine, goose bump soup and honey pie” their lyrics more advanced than before, something I didn’t think could be possible. It’s definitely my favourite on the album.

Definitely give this album a listen or two. It’s worth it!

Score: 8/10

Buy the album here