imported_Paul

This is a review of the Arctic Monkeys debut album Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not - It's pretty extensive. Take time to comment

Arctic Monkeys
Whatever People Say I Am, That?s What I?m Not

The word on the street at the moment is all about a young Sheffield 4-piece by the name of the Arctic Monkeys. In this review, I?ll be talking about their debut album, Whatever People Say I am, That?s What I?m Not.

The Arctic Monkeys have successfully started their career by selling out the London Brixton Academy before releasing a single. This achievement was then followed by a UK tour before releasing their debut single, I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor, on the 20th(ish) of October, which rocketed to number 1 in the UK Charts. Arctic Monkeys then toured Europe and America, before joining the NME tour which kicks off this January.

Many critics think that the success of the band is due to the availability of demos by the band over the internet. The band allow fans to download demos (many of which feature on the album I?ll be reviewing) over their forum. Critics think that this has ?hyped? fans into buying the released version. The band modestly say, however, ?Don?t Believe The Hype?.

In this case, you?d be wrong not to believe it.

And here we have the album review?

The View From The Afternoon
The opening track to the album starts of with a heavy thudding from the drums followed by sharp, heavy guitars. After the initial introduction, the guitars begin to get inconsistent and the tempo varies accordingly. Alex (the vocalist) sings in an almost rap-like form. Very abrupt lyrics joined with very abrupt guitars creates a surprisingly catchy sound. Two minutes into the song everything gradually comes to a stop, and seconds later the abrupt guitar strumming comes back and the chorus is played again.

This ladies and gentlemen, is the first example of the Arctic Monkeys? diversity and skill in creating catchy tunes.

I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor
A heavy drum beat and guitar riff introduces this song, before developing into a guitar riff you only wish you could play. Alex once again shows a rap-like quality to his singing voice, by abruptly ending words and being able to sing exceedingly quickly. The song isn?t lyrical genius, although what is genius is the mix of beats and guitar riffs. The Arctic Monkeys show that they are able to keep a listener occupied by giving them something good to listen to. The band show a bit of intelligence by mentioning Romeo and Juliet?s favourite families, the Montague?s and Capulet?s before rocketing into the same heavy guitars and thumping guitars as we heard in the introduction. The music comes to an abrupt halt again, and Alex sings/half-shouts ?Well I bet that you look good on the dancefloor? on his own. From previous experience, I can say that this works incredibly well live ? everyone joins in. Heavy guitars then follow straight after and the song finishes quite enthusiastically?

Fake Tales of San Francisco?
Is one of the original demos put on the internet, so therefore in my books it has to live up to that hype it received after it has been properly recorded. This has quite possibly been the best re-recorded song on the album. The lyrics are genius, speaking of experiences at a wedding with a young girl wanting to get out of watching a ?fucking wank? band. A lot of bands nowadays create a cracking tune and then insert the most random of lyrics just so to fit the song. This, in conclusion makes quite a crappy song. It might make a nice sounding live experience, but shouting about your dog who goes to Canada on a red submarine ? isn?t that cool. The Arctic Monkeys manage to achieve a great sounding song and are able to add interesting lyrics that make sense and let listeners relate to it.

Half way through the song the band prove that ?loves not only blind but deaf? which is followed through by a blistering guitar section. This instantly increases the tempo and the intensity of the song, and soon after you are found listening to, what can only be described as a football chant.

Get off the bandwagon and put down the handbook?
Get off the bandwagon and put down the handbook?
Get off the bandwagon and put down the handbook?
Get off the bandwagon and put down the handbook?
Yeah?

Dancing Shoes
?Get on your dancing shoes!? followed by a thudding bass solo, seems to work well for the monkeys. That followed by abrupt guitar strumming works well. If you then follow all that with a catchy and melodic drum beat ? you have a song.

As expected by the Arctic Monkeys, they keep their listeners interested by dotting various guitar solos all over the place and redefining the coolness of being in a band. The song is one of the shortest in the album, but is still able to pack in a punch.

You Probably Couldn?t See For The Lights, But You Were Looking Straight At Me?
Jesus, what a title. YPCSFTL,BYWLSAM (hehe) is probably one of my favourite songs on the album. I especially love how Alex and Andy (the drummer) combine to create an almost harmonious introduction sound of lyrics. I?ve been told that Alex admitted Andy was the best singer in the band, although him being a drummer sorts of hinders his singing capabilities. The man should learn to multi-task.

Moving on, Alex and Andy soon drift off to Alex singing by himself. There is a real tempo and intensity to this song, which is great. It has now been founded that Alex?s rap-like sound is here to stay, which isn?t surprising as the band prefer rap to indie.

The song finishes off with all sound gradually halting and Andy singing his solo bit. Quite marvellous.

From Ritz To Rubble
This is quite possibly one of the disappointments of the album for me, during the first 10 seconds that is. I?ve no idea why but the first 10 or 15 seconds of the demo version sounds a lot more cutting edge and raw compared to the recorded version. The song picks up with one of those legendary striking Monkey?s riffs, which cuts through your heart and leaves you absolutely exhausted from all the jumping around. At a guess, the song is about a night out and the realisation you face the next morning. Though I may well be wrong. The song is violent, fast and furious.

Still Take You Home
Following the lead of the furious, From Ritz to Rubble ? the album continues on with Still Take You Home. A violent, energy packed song with a punch. Instantly the listener is greeted with a tasty solo and Alex?s rap like lyrics continue on. There is so much energy in this song, coupled with great intense, meaningful lyrics leads to what can only be imagined as an immense live experience (to which I?ve had luck with and at the time of writing I?m currently going to see them for the second time).

Riot Van
The album completely slows down for Riot Van, to almost a drone. This is my biggest disappointment of the album. The acoustic version of this song is a lot more lively and more cute than the album version, which to be quite honest is a tad boring and uninventive. If you take the song for what it is, and refrain from thinking about demo or acoustic versions, Riot Van is a beautiful song, which shows the beautiful meaningful side of the Arctic Monkeys. Although for most AM enthusiasts, it?s a bit rubbish.

Red Lights Indicate Doors Are Secure
Instantly, we are met with a rather funky bass riff which reminds us of how genius the boys are, after a dodgy Riot Van. The song is fairly short, and only features the one sexy guitar riff. The song overall builds up twice, one taking about a minute and a half to a climax of ?they wanted to be men and do some fighting in the streets / he said NO SURRENDER, NO CHANCE OF RETREAT? which I can only imaging will be wild at a Glasgow Crowd (due to the sectarian ways) although I believe we are digressing here. The song builds up in the last twenty seconds to an ending finale, and that is that.

Mardy Bum
One of the old favourites. Mardy Bum was one of the first songs that the Arctic Monkeys released on to the internet. Personally, I think it is one of their weaker songs, although the general consensus agrees otherwise. It?s a slow, melancholy song with a lovely riff towards the end and beautiful lyrics. Just remember your cuddles in the kitchen, now.

Perhaps Vampires is a bit strong but?
One of the longer Arctic Monkeys tracks. It seems as if the Arctic Monkeys go a little bit more progressive rock here in the middle, where it seems to blend itself into a huge instrumental piece. This is a great live song as the Monkeys blend it seamlessly with Fake Tales of San Francisco and it really does seem like a progressive rock show. The song overall is a bit slower than the likes of Ritz to Rubble and Still Take You Home, however this kind of speed seems to suit the Arctic Monkeys well, and yet again, there is another immense song slapped on the album.

When The Sun Goes Down
Another one of the initial internet releases, When The Sun Goes Down, formerly known as Scummy speaks tales of a ?Scummy man? i.e a scumbag and his dirty dealings. The song starts off quite beautifully, with only Alex and his guitar strumming making themselves known. Soon after the band fall into one of their usual riffs and the pace is quickened. The great thing about the Arctic Monkeys is that they can make British life and culture seem so interesting and lively, when really it isn?t. When The Sun Goes Down is a great example of this kind of song. At the time of writing this, the song has been released as the bands second single and has shot straight to number 1 in the charts.

A Certain Romance
The finale to their live act, and the finale to their album. A Certain Romance was the first song I heard from the chaps about a year ago. The song makes sure they go out with a bang as it is similar to From Ritz to Rubble and Still Take You Home. Here the Arctic Monkeys speak lyrically about British culture, chavs and the lack of romance around these parts. The song starts musically with a nice wee intro riff and soon forms into a quaint little beat which allows Alex to put his point across prominently. The band then work up into an absolutely massive outtro that certainly gets the crowd going wild. The song is magnificent, immense, energizing and pure - everything that the Arctic Monkeys can be described as, basically.

The Arctic Monkeys, whatever your opinions are on them, are destined to be the next biggest thing. The next Oasis, the next Beatles. It will happen. They are already creating a huge media frenzy and through the help of the internet they are becoming massive as a band.

The album is a fantastic debut for a fantastic band.

Really, you should believe the hype. You?d be a fool not to.

Shaun

Too long mate!

Sam

No, it's the right length.

But I don't agree :P . For me the album didn't really show any huge signs that they're going to be a big band, apart from A Certain Romance really, which was decent enough. None of it particularly amazes me, but it's solid enough. What I'm trying to say is, it's a decent debut, but it's not really (in my opinion anyway) that great. It's solid.

I think the 'WTFATAM?' EP is definitely much more of an indication of where they're going.

imported_Buzz

I was reading this article and i thought i'd have to sign up just to reply to this .

I really disagree with you when you say that ritz to the rubble and riot van are the weaker tracks to the album. ritz to the rubble has the most fine lyrics in the album just like fake tales of san fransisco, Alex sings about a night out to a club or a gig and when he wakes up in the morning everyone is a different person (probally sober). IMO Ritz to the rubble has genius lyrics and is more of the stronger points to the album, but yeah each to there own .

Riot Van, ok i can see where you are coming from when you might say it is a weaker track but just because it has a slower pace than the rest of the songs still dosent take away what a class track is actaully is. But then again its your opinion.

Overall that was a very good review though good job

Edit: A certain romance 10/10 =p.

imported_Paul

Hehe, I was basing the weaker definition on the power of the track compared to the rest. Though I agree whole-heartidly about the Ritz To Rubble point.

My point with RTR really was that compared to the demo version, it wasn't as powerful really.

That's all. Cheers for your opinion though

Simon

Demo version of Ritz? Both versions of the song have been officially released and they show a band at very different stages. The 5 mins with version was recorded just before the record deal and the album version was done with the album and I think the newer one is mroe mature in a way.

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Simon!

dragons5

nice review bud. I was hesitant to open the cd at first, but these guys are damn good.

We play a few tracks including "When the Sun Goes Down" and a Live Cover of the Girls Aloud song "Love Machine" that we lifted from another radio stations archives.

imported_Paul

Yeah, it's insane how great these guys are. Especially live. I've been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to see them live twice now. Both nights i'll always remember.

acertainromance

I was lucky enough to dicover Arctic Monkeys before any hype at all, when they were still a pub band around late-2004. I fell in love with them instantly, Mardy Bum being the first track I heard. I knew from then they would be the massive. I joined the offical forum (it was a hell of a lot quieter than it is now) with a handful of people joined (I think there was around 80 when I joined) and basically every one of us taken aback by how great they were and why they weren't signed (at the time). Its been great watching their rise to fame but its sad how its now become 'cool' to not like them because they've broken into the mainstream, but they'll always be a band thats close to my heart.

Scott

And you get bollocks like Daniel Radcliffe saying he is fan no.1 because he saw them at Reading last year. I first heard them about this time last year and I was one of the late fans. Speccy fuck should stick to mounting Ron Weasley in future.

Sam

Good stuff.

imported_Paul

lmfao Scott.

That comment reminds me of summit I posted on Bebo a while back...

I think number 2, however, is an error on my iTunes.. as it was around about May/June I was told about the band by Scott.

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Paul MacDonald || Site Founder & Co-Admin

tom

Simon sent me Fake Tales of San Francisco and A Certain Romance on 14th January 2005 - nearly a year before the frikking album was released. And I have to say, I agree with that comment paul. What REALLY irks me about this is the amount of people I reccommended the arctic monkeys to, sent songs to and theyd say "oh their ok" or "theyre a bit repetitive" - one certain george laing saying the latter, and then its one of the bands he listens to most now! and people come up saying "oh the arctic monkeys rule" and stuff...I don't get why when they weren't big they didn't like them, but as soon as radio 1 touch them its like their godly. Sort of proves the "trendy marketing campaign" point.

fucking annoying.

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last gig: xfm big night out (thurs april 13th) - Towers of London, The Feeling, WE ARE SCIENTISTS

next gig: as it stands: reading festival. Franz, Muse, Pearl Jam et al

imported_Paul

Quite disheartening that advertising can do that.

Sort of defeats the purpose of popular (enjoyable) music. It's all set by hype now

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Paul MacDonald || Site Founder & Co-Admin

acertainromance

To be fair they always had the air about them and you just knew they would be massive