Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare

Written review?

I've written a few music reviews, and I've come to a great realization. They are useless! Everybody is the same when it comes to music. And that similarity is that no two people have the exact same taste. What we all write here should have no influence whatsoever on whether or not these guys are 'good.' Go sample them and decide for yourself! Personally, I like them. They are upbeat, have a british charm, and some humorous lyrics. August 24, 2008

The Monkeys Get Cooler

I thought it would be hard to follow up the fastest, fiercest and most enjoyable punk rock album, but the Arctic Monkeys' sophomore album is a great expansion of their ferocious sound.

In the Arctic Monkeys' first album, "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not," they set the British punk scene on fire with a speedy flurry of virtuoso guitar riffs and drum beating. The second album, "Favourite Worst Nightmare," continues their virtuoso performances, but with a more streamlined expansion of their surf-guitar sound.

The first single, "Brianstorm," demonstrates that sound with a killer opening riff that resembles that opening to the film "Pulp Fiction." I love Jamie Cook and Alex Turner's killer staccato guitar blasts accompanying Matt Helder's fast-tempo drum beat. And unlike the singer in Bloc Party (no offense, mate), Turner has a taste for blood, blurting out, "Brian, top marks for not trying/So I'd like you to bless us with your effortlessness/we'd wait for and so trained and comforted." Obviously Turner hates working for the man.

And the Arctic Monkeys also hate the mindless drift into commercialism these days. Alex Turner is very blunt in his criticism in the smashing song "This House is a Circus," singing "This house is a circus/berserk as f***/We tend to see that as a perk though/look what it's done to your friends/their memories are pretend." The Arctic Monkeys appropriately switch to a deep echoing guitar to add creepy Halloween sounds. Of course, sooner or later the Monkeys switch to smashing the haunting mood with crashing cymbals and loud guitars.

Overall, this album is more a concept album that criticizes social oppression. But "Favourite Worst Nightmare" is a great concept album, where the Arctic Monkeys literally smash the hell out of punk with unconventional dissonant guitar blasts and spooky echoing riffs. While there are slow and quiet moments, this is a wonderful combination of surf and punk rock. Arctic Monkeys are at the top of their game, contributing two great albums of wonderful punk rock. August 19, 2008

Monkey Chill

The Arctic Monkeys delivered an audacious and brash debut, actually bearing up to their hype when Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not hit American shores. It was low-fi teenage rock and sounded it, but the sheer manic thrill carried the album. But now that they are stars, that low-key charm is was what many were looking for in the follow-up.

"Favourite Worst Nightmare" is basically, a more mature version of the debut, produced more cleanly, with stronger recording skills and a better budget, by a band that is road-tested and better because of it. "Brainstorm" is the kind of jagged guitar pop-rock that you would expect, and sounds as good as anything on the debut. The almost funky "Fluorescent Adolescent," about a former party girl who is dealing with growing up. The album zips by at a breath-taking 37 minutes, fast enough that the generally repetitive nature of the remaining songs might not wear you down.

The songs are still rocking and will get you pumped. Just that, strung together, the effect can become tiring. Arctic Monkeys can blast out zingers like "Old Yellow Brick" and "505," but there isn't any sign of artistic progress here. I'd even go as far as to say that "Favourite Worst Nightmare" could even be a better album than the debut in terms of consistently and craft, but misses the thrill of discovery and the adrenal rush of kids discovering rock. Like sophomore efforts from Franz Ferdinand or The Vines, they may find themselves melting away from the spotlight sooner than they deserve to. July 27, 2008

Fantastic

It is like Franz Ferdinand's self titled album but with more brithish insight and awsome lyrics. June 16, 2008

Favourite Worst Nightmare is good, but not throughout

Artic Monkeys have a great sound, however, in my opinion the song "Florescent Adolescent" is much, much better than many other songs on the album. If they had more with this type of sound, I would easily recommend it to others. For now, I would just recommend a few of the songs. April 1, 2008

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