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

I really could not get into Arctic Monkeys last two albums a more sophisticated sound and Alex Turner as a lounge singer, maybe they are works of genius but after one listen, I couldn’t face listening to them again. 

Some bands I love, I won’t mention them again as I feel I may have mentioned them before! There are other bands that I appreciate but I know I will never love and that’s how we arrive at Arctic Monkeys, they have two songs I personally think are classics and some excellent songs but I am still waiting to fall in love with them.

On this record their guitars, drums and bass (bassist Andy Nicholson only made this one album with the band) are excellent and lead singer Alex Turner has a way with a lyric but sometimes I struggle with his voice, although I shouldn’t as good for him singing in his own accent, but sorry I do.

They were huge from the off, still are (seven albums - six number ones and one number two) and it was a shock to me that this debut was twenty years ago.

The View from the Afternoon opens the record with heavy guitars and drums, there’s a lot going on. I’d have preferred they kept that intensity up but they back off when Turner comes in but it’s a solid opening. 

I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor was, like many I would think, my introduction to the band, it was a number one and was totally out of kilter with the usual ones, it had a unique charm and still does.

Fake Tales has a nice recurring guitar riff throughout and the end part with the shouting backing vocals is a nice touch and I enjoy Still Take You Home.

Riot Van is a nice change of pace, later albums I have mentioned Turner’s croon but this works well, nice and restrained. Fake Tales of San Francisco has a laid-back groove and who can’t not love a lyric of “You’re not from New York City you’re from Rotherham.”

When this record came out I remember looking at it in the shop and smiling they had named a song Mardy Bum as that was a phrase I’d not heard in years, the song lives up to the title a light layered guitar as Turner tells the story of a once happy relationship slowly ebbing way, a real highlight.

Perhaps Vampires is nothing special until half way through when we are treated to a quick drum solo and then the band let their music do the talking, many come for Mr Turner’s lyrics but I enjoyed the band stretching out.

When the Sun Goes Down was also a number one it rattles along and I like “cause he’s a scumbag don’t you know,” before the thrash along, this is one of their classics,

A Certain Romance you have to wonder if they paid Ocean Colour Scene money as to me the opening is The Riverboat Song but it settles done to be their own and is a strong finish and Turner reflecting on certain aspects of working class life.

An enjoyable romp, oh and the other classic is Don’t Sit Down Cause I’ve Moved Your Chair in case you couldn’t sleep worrying about that.

7/10

GIVE IT A STREAM: When the Sun Goes Down