"Novelty...to delight and move the affections of the mind." --Giulio Caccini

NOTE (5/13/2009): This is one of those albums I discovered in my iTunes library that hadn't made it to my iPod by the proper listening time, which is why it is out of alphabetical order.

The Last Shadow Puppets' The Age of the Understatement is an interesting album. An English band, the group has created its own transnational/trans-genre sound. The drums and bass combine in the background to give a Spanish-style feel, while occasional horn-section lines confirm this sound. The guitar parts are less lead than providing chordal accompaniment. Because rhythmic support comes from the bass and drums, the guitars are rarely playing anything very rhythmical, and more often rounding out the chord structure for the songs and the singer. The Last Shadow Puppets also collaborated very liberally with the London Philharmonic, adding a classical feel in some songs and, in some, a sound oddly reminiscent of 1970's TV and film scores. All this amalgamation of style, however, is behind the pretty straightforward English alternative rock vocalizing by Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys and Miles Kane of The Rascals.

These different styles, sounds, and genres all combine to form a unique sound that is a pleasure to listen to. If one listens closely enough, he can pick out at least one of his favorite styles, and hear it performed well.