Young musicians recapture the past

The brainchild of Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys) and Miles Kane (The Rascals), The Last Shadow Puppets is as ambitious as a side project can get. Turner and Kane-, who are in their early 20s, disregard their generation and slip into swanky ’60s symphonic rock for their debut album, “The Age of the Understatement.”

The immense string arrangements——— — performed by the London Metropolitan Orchestra – make this album worth listening to. Recurring string samples repeatedly please the ear, facilitating the transition of songs.

Tracks like the irresistible “Calm Like You,” are a perfect blend of Turner’s rustic British accent, pounding drums and smooth trumpets.

Erratic strings fit into the frantic “Only the Truth,” which purposely goes over the top with overshadowing brass instruments.

With the accompaniment of lush vocals and reverberated chords, “My Mistakes Were Made For You,” tells the tale of a na’ve girl who found fame too quickly.

Barely-audible vocals and a psychedelic guitar arpeggio fade in and out of the exceptional track “I Don’t Like You Anymore.”

Cheesy elevator music prompts “The Meeting Place,” layering strings and bouncy chords for an exquisite combination. The finale song, “The Time Has Come Again” provides a humble ending with Turner’s raspy, calm vocals blending in with quiet background strings and a simple chord arrangement.

The Last Shadow Puppets’ “The Age of the Understatement” is a melancholy effort, and a successful one at that. Inspired by the styles of David Bowie, perhaps this will enlighten current fans to look beyond our time for musical inspiration.