Customer Reviews
Positively Surprising - By: Mr. J. M. Ginebra Serrabou, 02 May 2008 
I must admit I did not see this coming. I thought it was going to be seriously bad given that: 1) it's a 'side' project; 2) it would be a monkeys-type of sound, but without the monkeys; 3) music collaborations always turn to be rubbish. Then I readin a review "epic tunes" & I thought "OMG they are becoming like EMBRACE". Very confusing. One way or another I had serious doubts of buying it.
But then I decided to listen the full album through those 30 secs "pre-views" & I could notice the album was indeed different. So I gave it a try & I must say that I'm very positively surprised. Several listens already & loving it even more.
This is indeed what a "side project" should be: a bit experimental; out of the comfort zone; but most of all keeping the quality up.
This album proves wrong critics that thought the monkeys were great lyricist, but trapedin a single melody. I could compare this album to Picasso's Blue period. It's not his signature period, but it provides an insightful view of his persona. It is still himself, but naked. Not buried under the mandatory traits of his own success of later time. It is also a period that shows his great command of the basic painting techniques, which will become the foundation of his more recognized work.
In the same way, this is a stripped Turner/Kane version: there is plenty of clues of who its makers are, but presents them stripped to the bones, & without the distraction of their other personas. A great achievement.
Like it... - By: Scubasteve, 28 Apr 2008 
Well Turner & Kane have turned the odd appearance at one anothers gigs into something a little more...I have liked the Rascals for a while, & didnt know what to expect with this album.
The debut single is a bit of a cracker, upbeat & catchy for the neutral music fan. After that i feel the album starts to have much more of a homemade & authentic feel to it. I can just imagine the two guys satin a bar somewhere writing these songs (even if that never did happen)...
There are good tracks such as standing next to me, which is awesome & black paint. Most of the songs have some sort of orchestral accompaniment, something i dont think we hear a lot of anymorein modern music. There are one or two songs which maybe belong on a single as a b-side.
Very good debut album, good to see such well produced collaboration... hope they both continue with their other bands as well!
Solid album - By: Mr. M. J. Davies, 28 Apr 2008 A surprisingly good album. Alex Turner is showing himself to be a master wordsmith & i would say this is better than the Arctic Monkeys second album which i felt was very over rated.
The first four tracks are faultless & maybe a couple of the songs r b-side material but hey the second really good album i have heard this year alongside Duffy.
Think Roger Moore...... - By: D. Money, 25 Apr 2008 
Firstly, let me say I'm a big Arctic Monkey's fan & really wanted to enjoy this piece of work. However, after a week of listening, the over-riding emotion is one of disappointment. Certainly it's by no means woeful, like other projects undertaken by Mr Turner's contempories, but I think it's an attempt to satisfy a personal desire, as opposed to regale itself on the ears of his fans.
The sounds, is playful, quirky & reminiscent of a 1960's soundtrack to a Roger Moore movie. Think, The Saint meets Casino Royale. Indeed, it sounds like Mr Turner is collaborating with John Barry instead of Miles from The Rascals.
However, for me, its a big let down. The only strong track on the album is the opening track, & it can be no coincidence they released the album soon after the single was being heard on the airwaves. These record companies aren't daft!!!
In conclusion, well worth a listen, but I'd be surprised if any Arctic Monkeys fans still have itin their CD playersin a weeks time....
Arctic Symphonies - By: Tony Floyd, 23 Apr 2008 Wow, what an album. These guys are 22. I'm an old fartin my 40s. But I love this record. It's a beautiful headrush of pleasure. The Arctic Monkeys I can take or leave, probably because my ears need a break from staccato guitars & that trebly punky thing. But this is a bold & exhilarating record. I suppose it is Scott Walker-ish (think Seventh Seal) & James Bond-ish (think Chris Cornell's Casino Royale theme song) & Arctic Monkey-ish (Alex Turner's distinctive vocals) but Alex & Miles have done their influences proud & can easily stand up there with the people who served as their inspiration. The first 4 tracks come rushing out of the speakers backed up with a breathless & soaring orchestral accompaniment that is so bombastically over the top you can only grin at its sheer joie de vivre (did I really say that?). Thereafter the quality control wobbles a bit, though I'd say it's only a couple of tracks that are not that great, but things rapidly improve again & the album ends on another, though less thunderous, high.
