ARTIST: Arctic Monkeys  

TITLE: Favourite Worst Nightmare

YEAR RELEASED: 2007

CHART ACTION: #7 US, #1 UK

SINGLES: Brainstorm (#114 US, #2 UK), Fluorescent Adolescent (#5 UK), Teddy Picker (#20 UK)

OTHER SONGS YOU MAY KNOW: Probably not, unless you bought it

LINEUP: Alex Turner, Matt Heiders, Jamie Cook, Nick O’Malley

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT: Faster and louder than their debut. It wears you out a bit but still is pretty decent.

SOME WORDS, PHRASES AND CLAUSES ABOUT THIS RECORD: You’re always worried about the second album by a new band, especially if the first one had critics gushing. The Arctic Monkeys avoided the sophomore slump, by seemingly going faster and more frenetic, but still containing hooks that absorb all of the energy.

The lead single, “Brainstorm”, sets the scene, but “D Is for Dangerous”, which contains the title in its rambling lyrics, is really their call to action. Unabashed accents, clattering guitars, and a subtle yet infectious hook gives this record the pulse that pumps it throughout. The rhythm section of O’Malley and Heiders is the backbone, allowing the songs to rush over their foundations. Without them, it wouldn’t work as well.

So much of this energy may wear out the listener, because of the energy the band exudes. Still, a worthy follow-up that solidified their credentials as on the best UK bands of the 2000’s

NOTES & MINUTIAE: This was named one of the “50 Best Second Albums of All Time” by Gigwise magazine.

IS THERE A DELUXE VERSION: Yes. Japanese bonus tracks.

GRADE: A-: If you need a rush of energy, this is one for you.

ARTIST: Arctic Monkeys
TITLE: Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not
YEAR RELEASED: 2006
CHART ACTION: US #24, UK #1
SINGLES: I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor (#118 US, #1 UK), When the Sun Goes Down (#1 UK), Fake Tales of San Francisco
OTHER SONGS YOU MAY KNOW: If you were in the UK in 2006, you know it all.
LINEUP: Alex Turner, Jamie Cook, Andy Nicholson, Matt Helpers
WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT: An honest to God UK sensation makes a debut album that lives up to the hype. It’s a fun record about night clubs, hookups and other hedonistic delights.

SOME WORDS, PHRASES AND CLAUSES ABOUT THIS RECORD: I am always wary, now, about the next big thing from Britain. I’ll also admit that I was a bit underwhelmed (as compared to the hype) when I first heard this album. I thought it was good, not great. Now, after hearing it all the way through I am sold on it. Sure, a decade too late, but hey, it takes a while to come around.

It rolls out with “The View from the Afternoon”, a great album starter and a great signal that this will be full of energy (and unabashed accents), and it doesn’t really stop.

Just looking at the awards for this album is stunning. #19 best album of all time according to the NME. #30 on the best debuts album of all time in Rolling Stone. It’s pretty darn good!
NOTES & MINUTAE: My fave Arctic Monkeys track (“Bigger Boys and Stolen Sweethearts”) didn’t make the album, though! It was on the EP for “I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor.”

IS THERE A DELUXE VERSION: Not that I saw, which is a shame because they have a lot of stray tracks here and there.

GRADE: A- : I’m a little more reserved on my judgement than the NME or Rolling Stone, but heck, you should get this.