The Last Shadow Puppets: The Dream Synopsis Review

By Kristin Russell
Music Journalist

Artist: The Last Shadow Puppets
Album: The Dream Synopsis
Release Date: Dec 2, 2016
Website: http://www.thelastshadowpuppets.com/

Alex Turner, vocalist and lead guitarist of the Arctic Monkeys and solo artist Miles Kane are synonymous with “sexy”, english bad boys, so it makes sense why they joined forces in 2008 to create The Last Shadow Puppets. The band draws from their rock and roll styles of their previous work and take songs from their second studio album, Everything You’ve Come To Expect along with four covers to comprise their third EP, The Dream Synopsis. This EP plays with orchestral tones and a psych-rock guitar style to create a 60’s inspired EP with hints of cinematic components.

The second track ‘Le Cactus’, was originally written and performed by the french singer/songwriter, Jacques Dutronc, in the 1960’s. This song is systematically chaotic which sounds conflicting, but it meshes well together. It’s almost like a conversation because the lyrics compares life to a cactus; it always stings, but the music tells a different story. Le Cactus utilizes bright horns and upbeat drums to create a shake it out kind of mood, but the lyrics are so matter-of-fact and blunt. These aspects intertwine seamlessly because it’s like the song is saying: “Hey, life sucks! But you might as well dance a little and enjoy it because it sucks for everyone.”

The Last Shadow Puppets took Canadian singer, Leonard Cohen’s, song “Is This What You Wanted” and transformed it from an easy-listening folk song into a sensual, drool inducing experience. The video starts with subtle piano and gentle bass as Turner saunters into frame wearing a vest without a shirt, a scarf, and sunglasses. It’s clear to see that he’s mocking cliche rock stars, but in a playful way rather than being a jerk.

Each song in The Dream Synopsis is incredibly cohesive. When artists embark on projects aside from what they’re originally known for, they usually try to achieve a new sound or they alter their original style to bring something new to the table. Unfortunately, this can become a hodgepodge of songs that may work as singles, but they don’t make a lot of sense as a whole. This album does an excellent job at sticking to a 1960’s-esque style by incorporating delicate piano, classic guitar riffs, passionate horn and saxophone ensembles. It is obvious that these songs came off one EP without sounding annoyingly similar. The Dream Synopsis is definitely an EP for the fans, which is totally admirable and that makes listening to it all the more satisfying.