Arctic Monkeys – Humbug [Album]
Posted on 25. Aug, 2009 by Ashley in Reviews, Singles/Albums
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Released: August 24th 2009
Format: CD, 7″, MP3
Buy From: recordstore.co.uk
“Don’t believe the hype” proclaimed and teenage Alex Turner before tearing into the opening riff of I Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor. The hype surrounding this band had skyrocketed since May 2005 when the debut EP Five Minutes With Arctic Monkeys flooded the web. They were arguably the first band to see their music shared across the internet in such volume. By October 17th, the day the debut single was released, Sheffield band Arctic Monkeys were practically a household name. Fourteen weeks after that the band released their debut album, Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not, and seven days later it had become the fastest selling debut album shifting more than 360,000 copies (more units than the 19 others in the top 20 combined).
A fierce and stampeding Brianstorm paved the way for a darker second album with NME describing Favourite Worst Nightmare as “the most doubter-defying second album”. Out went Alex’s teenage angst and in came a darker, more mature and experimental sound. They had done it, they had followed up a masterpiece debut with a seperatley genial second album. The fans loved it.
Now, four years later, a new album is on the verge of release. Humbug is released this week and we’ve been listening to leaked copies of it for a fortnight struggling to find the words to describe it.
Open it up and be greeted by My Propeller where you’ll find Alex is growing into his voice with impressive pace. Its restrained introduction sets the tone for a cautionary third album with less haste than previous openers Brianstorm and The View From The Afternoon. My propeller is disturbing in content and delicious in its restraint.Crying Lightning sees Alex open up his voice further with brilliant effect to the point where, at the second chorus, I have tingling sensations on my neck. This album is so far addictive. Each track has a hook that is, at times, gruesome like in Dangerous Animals with its spelling lesson and rolling bass line. Fire And The Thud and Cornerstone are true works of art while Dance Little Liar, Pretty Visitors and The Jeweller’s Hands leak links to The Last Shadow Puppets and maybe a little bit of The Rascals too.
Don’t expect an easy listen with Humbug, expect an intense 39 minutes of pounding drums, sharp/edgy riffs coupled with a dark vocal. In my book, it’s their best work yet.
Arctic Monkeys – Secret Door.mp3 [128 kbps] [mp3 removed]
