And so the honeymoon continues for Alex Turner and Miles Kane’s orchestral side-project, The Last Shadow Puppets. Now blossoming into a fully-fledged super-group, the boys have recently released their third single ‘My Mistakes Were Made For You’ which keeps the bombastic bandwagon rolling along marvellously.

These boys clearly know their pop history, but if there wasn’t more to their sound than mere homage the gimmick would have worn thin by now. Turner’s lyrics are as sharp as any he’s penned for the Arctics, only here they are complemented by epic arrangements and lush orchestration.

Opening with a guitar chord twangy enough to grace a David Lynch film, My Mistakes Were Made for You is very much more restrained than ‘Age of the Understatement’ or ‘Standing Next To Me’ yet still it sounds good enough to be on a James Bond soundtrack.The mix is woozy and cavernous with Turner’s broad Northern tones sounding like they’re being sucked into a void. And the lyrics are similarly disquieting; all this talk of tumbling rocks and being “smashed into smithereens” is a world away from ‘Mardy Bum’.

I’ve enjoyed everything The Last Shadow Puppets have thrown our way and it’s hard to believe that this is a side project but what about the other bands that these chaps front? I’ve heard lots of people anxious about the attention Alex Turner and Miles Kane give to their own bands but from what I can see the future is bright for both. Arctic Monkeys are set to work with Queens of the stone ages’ Josh Homme and The Rascals seem to have really grown their sound since Miles started his “side project”.

Don’t take my word for it, visit their MySpace and see what you think.

Just a quick one tonight, as I’m plain and simply cream crackered at the moment - working 30-40 hours a week and then going to a gig or so a week and the usual pub evenings is pretty hard work… (boy, it’s a hard life, no?)

Bloc Party did another one of their suprises last night, announcing the release of Talons, their second single, and one that wasn’t on Intimacy, but will be on the physical release in October. In short, it’s pretty darned amazing, as with all of their Intimacy era stuff. A bit 80’s rock, a bit dark and murky, but ultimately good. I’m not posting the MP3 as I think it’s just asking for me to get (another) cease and desist, but I’m sure those of you in the know can get a copy for free.

Of course tonight is also the Mercury music prize, with my money firmly on Laura Marling to win, though I doubt the judges will choose her, probably sticking to a safer bet like Radiohead, Elbow or Last Shadow Puppets. If Adele or Estelle wins I won’t be a happy bunny though - they’re good, but not Mercury material.

There are still some reviews of Hydro Connect coming in, almost 10 days after the event, and just make me yearn for Scotland again. Only about 50 weeks now until Hydro 2009, eh? Rock Sellout have put up a guest blog from the festival, along with a better (and more indepth) interview with Rab from Glasvegas than we did.

Meanwhile, Mike over at Chromewaves caught this weekend’s Virgin Festival in Toronto, with Bloc Party, Kooks, Fratellis and more. I’ll be checking out some of the smaller (and larger) bands I haven’t heard of when I actually have a day off.

The Last Shadow Puppets have announced a string of dates in August and October around the UK.

Tickets go on sale on Saturday (5th July) at 9am. Catch them at:

Tuesday 19th August - Portsmouth, Guildhall
Wednesday 20th August - Oxford, New Theatre
Wednesday 22nd October - Glasgow Academy
Thursday 23rd October - Sheffield City Hall
Sunday 26th October - London Hammersmith Apollo