Arctic Monkeys: Humbug

Admitedly a lot of pop culture passes me by unseen. However, even I couldn’t help notice the fanfare accompanying the release of the first two Arctic Monkeys albums. I was therefore fairly surprised when perusing the Amazon web site for some new audio delights, that there was in fact a third Arctic Monkeys album available that I was previously unaware of.

The distinctive thick bass and modern crisp and edgy guitars of Humbug’s brace of predesors are certainly still in evidence on this third offering, but it seems as though Alex Turner has also retained some of the suave 60’s sophistication of last year’s “Last Shadow Puppets” album.

I always enjoy a few good euphemisms in my lyrics, so I was of course delighted with album opener “My Propeller” which is basically a simple ode to Alex’s cock. The album lyrics in general though reflect the change in lifestyle that the success of the first two albums has afforded the band. The sharp working class humour has thankfully not been lost but reflects the circles that the band now move in.

So I’m not sure if there was less hype or if I jussed missed it, but either way the content is well worthwhile.

Try and seek out a copy with the Japanese bonus track, a nice cover of Nice Cave’s Red Right Hand.

Recommended.

The Artics Monkey's: Favourite Worst Nightmare

I woke up the other morning with the clear sound of “Teddy Picker” resonating in my brain on a never-ending loop. I’m pretty sure John Humphries wasn’t playing it on the Today programme, so I’ve no idea where it came from, my only guess is that this powerful song has buried itself deep in my unconscious, which in hardly surprising as it’s a corking tune. “Favourite Worst Nightmare” as a whole though although being great somehow fails to have the certain spark that made their brilliant debut stand out so well. Although in may ways, “Favourite, Worst Nightmare” is superior to its predecessor, it has more rockier guitars, great production and catchy tunes perhaps it was just the originality and surprise of the first album that they couldn’t recapture.

Artic Monkeys: Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not

This album hailed a sudden rise from seemingly nowhere for the Artic Monkeys back in January 2006. It is highly original, very northern, immensely entertaining and frequently poignant. The ladish culture adeptly strewn across the entire record reminds me of my youthful activities of underage drinking and legging it from the local coppers. As for the musical style I’m still not sure which label to stick on it, is it Rock, Dance, Indie or Something else? Answers on a stamp addressed envelope to “Who the Fuck are the Artic Monkeys? PO BOX 1”.