The Arctic Monkeys return riding a wave of breakneck rhythms and in your face grooves. Alex Turner and company return with a more limber and polished sound. It seems like the expectations placed upon them are making them work harder, and I have to admit they have improved. They’ve been listening to their influences just as hard. I can hear traces of Damon Albarn, Morrissey, Klaxons, and the Strokes interspersed among the many tracks. Their attitude even reflects in the lyrics of flagship single “Brianstorm” (1), with lyrics like “Some want a kiss, some want to kick you” implying the very mixed reaction they’ve been dealing with since their success. If the sonic fury of “Brianstorm” is any clue, they’re out to prove that they deserve every bit of success they’ve had. They’re careful not to play just 3 minute rave ups using various songs that don’t go immediately for the aural sucker punch. The best of these tracks is the breezy reggae influenced “Fluorescent Adolescent” (5) which wouldn’t sound out of place on a strokes album. I wasn’t really that impressed with their first album as much as I tried to like it, but this time around their reaction to the backlash is making them more compelling as well as more dynamic.
Arctic Monkeys Myspace
Buy “Favourite Worst Nightmare”
MP3 – Brianstorm – Arctic Monkeys
MP3 – Fluorescent Adolescent – Arctic Monkeys
Video for “Brianstorm” :
