It says something for how good this album is that, against competition from orchestrations (by Owen Pallett) that are some of the most beautiful to grace a pop record in years, Arctic Monkeys’ Alex Turner and the Rascals’ Miles Kane hold their own. Over 11 songs (standouts include The Chamber, I Don’t Like You Any More and The Time Has Come Again) loosely themed on a femme fatale and the heartache she causes, the pair return to the classic touchstones of melodramatic pop à la Scott Walker and early Bowie. Lyrics are flecked with lovely lines such as “endearingly bedraggled in the wind”; the singing (especially in Turner’s case) relishes the reverb-laden cadences and asides. And instead of stifling, Duffy-like homage, the album conveys a sense of two talented musicians taking a madcap, for-the-love-of-it idea and, perhaps to even their surprise, powering it through to a brilliant conclusion.

Domino WIGCD208

Radiohead make Mercury shortlist

Radiohead competes with The Last Shadow Puppets, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss and Estelle for the prestigious prize

BACKGROUND

• Last Shadow Puppets' dilemma

• The Last Shadow Puppets: The Age of the Understatement:

• The Age of Understatement by The Last Shadow Puppets

• The Big CD: The Last Shadow Puppets - The Age of the Understatement

• Arctic's Alex Turner unveils new project

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