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

Are you over 13?

Yes I am, I'm 40! Thank you. I am not new to the AM's but have watched the media hype and listened to the album, and guess what. Its good. Ok, it doesn't brake any musical moulds but what it is, is this. Its a collection of good songs, with intelligent lyrics and played with aplomb and energy. Twenty year old kids (and students) are of course well known for thinking that they know everything but in fact they know nothing at all.

The AM's don't try and sing songs about Faustian themes and Daniel Beddingfield "love me or I'll jump off this bridge" type anthems, but rather songs that would have been just as relevant to me as a "know-nothing student" 20 years ago, because when you are that age, what is important to you is getting laid and partying. I have no idea why someone would want to be a student in a culture where you couldn't drink until you were 21,that would constitute a waste of the entire University experience. Hell, if I had actually had to pay fees to go to University, I would have expected table service during lectures.

These songs address the important issues of songs about how difficult it is to tap off with birds in nightclubs, the logistical and semantic issues regarding attempting to persuade the driver of a late night vehicle licensed for the conveyance of paying members of the public (a taxi) to allow the carriage of 6 members rather than the usual 5, added to which the additional complication of the possession of kebabs causes. If you are British, you will be aware that the food that the Am's are referring to are kebabs as these are the "industry standard" for wandering around with at night when the clubs kick out. And of course we have all tried the changing jumpers and rejoining the back of the line scenario depicted in "From the Ritz to the Rubble" when denied entry by over-zealous door staff.

These lads are not pretending to be the stars of "Dawsons Creek" (if any teens had tried talking and acting like that where I came from, they would have (rightly) received a good kicking) but they merely (and cleverly) are writing about what they know, and performing it with an energy and precision that is refreshing.

In these times where musical dross in manufactured by the shovel full by mediocrity factories like "X-Factor" and "(insert name)s got talent", its not surprising that these lads generated some hype. Fair play to em. Mind you, Britney's on the comeback trail so this might be an example of something some reviewers might prefer to get excited about. Consider my scorn well and truly poured.
October 13, 2008

Ridiculous-Good

Amazing album, they are a great band...honestly, just buy this, you won't be disappointed, and this is not some fangirl from the UK...(its a fangirl from the US)...but nevertheless, I think everyone will enjoy this music. April 28, 2008

Just great!

I love this group! This album is clean and straightforward. You get all of the rock with none of the BS. It is fresh and contemporary and just plain fun. Buy it now! December 23, 2007

Rockin Album

These guys are quickly becoming one of my all time favorite bands. This album has a punk influence and catchy lyrics that make you want to rock out. The lyrics give away the age of these guys since the album is primarily about partying and picking up girls, but it does make you nostalgic for your single college years. October 20, 2007

unexpected yet familiar

one of the better new albums i've gotten recently. a couple of the riffs in these songs sound hugely familiar, but i can't place what i think they're similar to. i hear a bit of Franz Ferdinand in here, and a few other things as well, but if their sound isn't entirely unique it is quite good: catchy, rough-edged, solid, and i do have to say i love the singer's voice. October 19, 2007

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