Carl's Music Mini-Review: Arctic Monkeys "Favourite Worst Nightmare"
Arctic Monkeys - "Favourite Worst Nightmare"
I remember last year I at first didn't know what to make of the Arctic Monkeys. I only heard of them because of the hype following their record-breaking sales and after listening, didn't really "get" their music, only sticking around due to the singer's distinct accent.
Thankfully I'd continued to give it a chance and began to enjoy the nuances of performance and observation, becoming a big fan.
Now the new album's due to hit stores next week, and I've been listening to an advance release constantly for the past week or so. I'm back to being at a loss for what to think of it. Firstly, what you'll notice is that the wild rawness is almost completely gone, though an edge still exists. Instrumentation is much more deliberate and reeled in. This album has a distinct sound, which can also be interpreted as meaning that some songs sound the same. The sound du jour seems to be a slow, warbling sustained note, with songs taking a very mysterious sort of surf guitar feel. Sometimes I imagine they might have watched too many Bond films while writing the album; seems to be a suitable soundtrack for a smooth man of mystery.
Instead of the themes of teenage raucousness of Whatever People Say I Am..., Favourite Worst Nightmare takes on a more cynical, dour note, often times seeming quite angry and accusatory. Incredibly catchy and danceable, though.
Of the "officially" currently released material, I would say you can get an idea of the sound and direction of this album from the song "Put Your Dukes Up John" from Leave Before the Lights Come On.
I'm very interested to see how the band will present the two different album styles at the concert next month.
I remember last year I at first didn't know what to make of the Arctic Monkeys. I only heard of them because of the hype following their record-breaking sales and after listening, didn't really "get" their music, only sticking around due to the singer's distinct accent.
Thankfully I'd continued to give it a chance and began to enjoy the nuances of performance and observation, becoming a big fan.
Now the new album's due to hit stores next week, and I've been listening to an advance release constantly for the past week or so. I'm back to being at a loss for what to think of it. Firstly, what you'll notice is that the wild rawness is almost completely gone, though an edge still exists. Instrumentation is much more deliberate and reeled in. This album has a distinct sound, which can also be interpreted as meaning that some songs sound the same. The sound du jour seems to be a slow, warbling sustained note, with songs taking a very mysterious sort of surf guitar feel. Sometimes I imagine they might have watched too many Bond films while writing the album; seems to be a suitable soundtrack for a smooth man of mystery.
Instead of the themes of teenage raucousness of Whatever People Say I Am..., Favourite Worst Nightmare takes on a more cynical, dour note, often times seeming quite angry and accusatory. Incredibly catchy and danceable, though.
Of the "officially" currently released material, I would say you can get an idea of the sound and direction of this album from the song "Put Your Dukes Up John" from Leave Before the Lights Come On.
I'm very interested to see how the band will present the two different album styles at the concert next month.