Picks and Pans Review: Quick Cuts

By Chuck Arnold, V.R. PETERSON, LESLEY MESSER, MARISA LAUDADIO

UPDATED 05/26/2008 at 01:00 AM EDT • Originally published 05/26/2008 at 01:00 AM EDT

THE LAST SHADOW PUPPETS The Age of the Understatement
Arctic Monkeys have set a crazy-high standard, so this side project from frontman Alex Turner, while having its moments, is a bit of a letdown.

    

PORTISHEAD Third Portishead's fourth disc—and first in 10 years—is full of moody atmospherics, but it all kind of blends into the background. Where are the real songs?