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

[Greg Dona]

It comes as very little surprise that the Arctic Monkeys are sweeping music fans in the United States off their feet in the thickest of droves. Yet another band formed in the wake of the Strokes, British persons embraced the group’s early released tracks floating about the internet. Domino Records allowed for the continued flow of the songs about the net; such was a strategy that allowed for undying hype by music hipsters to lay a firm fan base foundation for the band.

Arctic Monkeys look to follow fellow European indie stars Franz Ferdinand into the heart of the American mainstream with their release Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not, minus a little bit of poppy, danceable bass lines and with a bit more grind to the guitars. That is not to say that the group won’t shake your hips a bit, especially since their second track on the debut full length is titled “I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor.” Whereas many English groups use endearing British accents to mesmerize audiophiles, Arctic Monkeys perfect the hinting nasal Northeastern wail executed by so many indie bands of late with only the slightest European twinge. They pull this off with an incredible amount of success, as vocals are a strong point of the album. Most tracks alone are not individually noteworthy, but rather impressive as a collection; each piece from the opening “The View from the Afternoon” through the sixth song “Still Take You Home” is a more or less cookie cutter track showcasing relatively neat guitars chopping about somewhat repetitively, a hooking bass line, and ambling vocals. “Riot Van” slows things down and manages to represent the first track that truly distinguishes itself from the rest of the album, finally lifting the listener from the trance cast over their minds for the previous six songs. The rest of the album follows in a highly comparable manner, easing fans into that unconscious state of appreciation that comes with the simplest, least thought provoking of excellent albums.

Differentiating from their musical peers is not a strong suit of Arctic Monkeys. On Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not, the main non-derivative part of the group’s art are the lyrics. Angst-filled and juvenile, the words cried by the group’s front man are borderline emo in message. Wandering from girls to cops and fakes to vampires, the lyrics are less immature than they are unfocused. Still, such detracts little from an otherwise solid disc.

With Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not Arctic Monkeys uncover very little unexplored ground. Rather, they regurgitate many different influences in the most impressive of manners, piecing together bits and pieces of similar styles to create the ultra sound of British indie. And this is why they will soon be huge in America too.

[Angsty]

this cd is so overrated. proof that the british like shitty music.

[etwiels]

this cd is so overrated. proof that the british like shitty music.

Says the dude who is supposedly signed to Victroy

[Angsty]

oh, yeah. fuck, this band is awesome.

[fugitive_alien]

meh

[Steve Henderson]

I do not understand the fascination at all. Nothing fucking special to me.

[matt_rawlings]

I love this cd and I think the lyrics are original and really funny. Growing up in England, I can relate to alot.

[You Vandal]

I couldn't get into it at all.

[Ladron]

Its a fun album, thats it. I don't think I'll be listening to it for the rest of the year.

[domesticyeti]

i thought they were good, but not amazing. Very overrated

[fire on my lips]

I love this cd and I think the lyrics are original and really funny. Growing up in England, I can relate to alot.
I don't think the lyrics are totally originally, they reminded me a lot of the streets. I like how the songs were fun and easily enjoyable. I considered 'Riot Van ' to be the best track on the album, head and shoulders above the rest. I'm pretty pissed i wasn't able to get tickets to their NYC show, but hopefully they won't be Franz Ferdinand huge the next time their in America.
Right now this is my CD of the year, but that isn't saying much considering next to nothing has come out yet.

[leafsacc]

I listened to this for the first time today, it's a fun album, i think I'll listen to it a lot. Good review.

[Greg Dona]

I listened to this for the first time today, it's a fun album, i think I'll listen to it a lot. Good review.
That's how I feel. It's very fun, and thus at least worth a few spins here and there. Glad ya liked the review.

[andy_187]

i hate this band...
overrated

[LilRyan732]

I bet that you looked good on the dance floor.

[wristsNeyes]

I was incredibly underwhelmed by this album. For all the amazing hype and attention the band has been getting in Europe to me it was just another decent brit-rock album with little originality. The bands that they take their influences are all far better in my opinion.

[van_morrison]

I enjoy this cd, it's better than the lot of shitty American bands that get press (i.e.: fall out boy, the killers, hawthorne heights, etc.)

[countingstars]

Being English, I think I can offer a better perpective on this. Before I read the review I thought it would be interesting to see an American point of view, as I didn't think that anyone outside of Britain would truly understand this album. Sure enough, you have missed the point, although I dont blame you. The lyrics on this album, far from being juvenile offer an incredibly aacute insight into British culture as seen by a group of young lads. For instance, the song A Certain Romance is about chavs, a HUUUUUUGE part of British culture at the moment, but being American I doubt you even know what a chav is. Also, most of the songs are about going on a night out which is another huge part of British youth culture. The fact that the lyrics are rated so low is truly a travesty as they are the true genius of the album.

Anyway, thats not to criticise, still a great review ^_^.

[Greg Dona]

Being English, I think I can offer a better perpective on this. Before I read the review I thought it would be interesting to see an American point of view, as I didn't think that anyone outside of Britain would truly understand this album. Sure enough, you have missed the point, although I dont blame you. The lyrics on this album, far from being juvenile offer an incredibly aacute insight into British culture as seen by a group of young lads. For instance, the song A Certain Romance is about chavs, a HUUUUUUGE part of British culture at the moment, but being American I doubt you even know what a chav is. Also, most of the songs are about going on a night out which is another huge part of British youth culture. The fact that the lyrics are rated so low is truly a travesty as they are the true genius of the album.

Anyway, thats not to criticise, still a great review ^_^.
I did realize that most of it was about a night about, but you're right, I have no idea what a chav is. I don't think that it's because I'm American, but rather because I'm a Texan. We're rather uncultured.

[MonkeyBars]

I loved this CD. Every song is solid and catchy. One of those CDs you can listen to and not pay any attention at all, then when you spin it again, you recognize every song and can sing along to it.

[myfirstpunksong]

Being English, I think I can offer a better perpective on this. Before I read the review I thought it would be interesting to see an American point of view, as I didn't think that anyone outside of Britain would truly understand this album. Sure enough, you have missed the point, although I dont blame you. The lyrics on this album, far from being juvenile offer an incredibly aacute insight into British culture as seen by a group of young lads. For instance, the song A Certain Romance is about chavs, a HUUUUUUGE part of British culture at the moment, but being American I doubt you even know what a chav is. Also, most of the songs are about going on a night out which is another huge part of British youth culture. The fact that the lyrics are rated so low is truly a travesty as they are the true genius of the album.

Anyway, thats not to criticise, still a great review ^_^.

I agree, I love this album, hugely because of the lyrics. I can relate to them so much it's ridiculous. I go out every Saturday night and songs like 'Dancing Shoes' and 'From Ritz To Rubble' tell it EXACTLY how it is. And what about the line 'tracky bottoms tucked in socks'. Genius.

[Shatter590]

good, solid album

but I prefer The Subways. This can get a bit too generic at times.

[goodarmcindy]

I think that this band is an example to most bands (even if im not a massive fan of the music) they got known through hard word, perserverence and a strong relationship with a fanbase they built up over time. proof that hard work pays off...although i must admit they have suffered from being press bunnies recently as there seems to be an arctic monkeys band wagon which is rolling towards its final destination of nothingness, but for the moment i wish them well

[Kram41]

Greg, that was an excellent review...very well-articulated, best review I've read on this site yet (in terms of style). Keep up the great work.

[Greg Dona]

Greg, that was an excellent review...very well-articulated, best review I've read on this site yet (in terms of style). Keep up the great work.
Thanks dude. I'll try to keep it up.

[spunky]

this band are indeed overrated. while they seem like an interesting novelty for a start, it grows tired quite quickly, and their music is played all the time over here which only makes things worse...hence this reaction http://www.teamfishcake.co.uk/article.php?id=%288

[lebonj]

the arctic monkeys are the worst fucking band on earth

[punkpixie]

This review is good, the only bit I don't agree with you on is the vocals. They sound VERY British. I come from the same place (Sheffield) and they sing in the accent all the time.

[fresh2death]

people on absolutepunk.net probably wouldn't like this album because it ain't exactly punk. to me, this is the best brit album i've heard in a very very very long time. it's fucking amazing, and that's all that needs to be said about that.

[youngmountain]

yeh i disagree on the lyrics, they are excellent; well written, and an accurate social commentary. From the ritz to teh rubble is a great song

[stellarsuicide]

Fucking great band. Seriously.
Nice lite punk sound.
And great singing voice.

[teenagetwilight]

When The Sun Goes Down is so catchy it's not even funny.
The rest of the album is amazing, truly relates to british culture. One of the best british bands ever.

[erinfxs]

A fair review, I love the style and way they pull it off.

[stereokiller]

I agree, I love this album, hugely because of the lyrics. I can relate to them so much it's ridiculous. I go out every Saturday night and songs like 'Dancing Shoes' and 'From Ritz To Rubble' tell it EXACTLY how it is. And what about the line 'tracky bottoms tucked in socks'. Genius.
haha. arctic monkeys and brit stick like glue then?

i agree, this record is solid. i wish i can relate more to the lyrics though. =|

[CatalinaCaper]

I find it near hilarious that so many people sit here and make an ironic statement like..

this cd is so overrated. proof that the british like shitty music.

When the last five minutes of this album is dedicated to expressing the common British disposition that American Pop Culture has near destroyed the music scene. Believe me, snark, British kids have an unmistakably low impression of probably every band you think is "siqq."

No doubt this album is nothing groundbreaking musically, however it still sold 300k records in 7 days, and I'd much rather dance to it than any of the overproduced crap that the radio plays these days. And frankly, thats all that matters to me. They're also incredible live, by the way.

Maybe next time, before you run your mouth, you might want to stop and name a band you like and then let me give you the name of a British band that broke the ground for them.

[Zkrp]

This is actually an amazing Cd its fun its energetic it just makes you want to run around and do some shit its great for skating. The guitar is what really gets me it sounds so unprepared likes its just one big solo that never stops and always changes its amazing I love this cd.

[Zkrp]

I find it near hilarious that so many people sit here and make an ironic statement like..



When the last five minutes of this album is dedicated to expressing the common British disposition that American Pop Culture has near destroyed the music scene. Believe me, snark, British kids have an unmistakably low impression of probably every band you think is "siqq."

No doubt this album is nothing groundbreaking musically, however it still sold 300k records in 7 days, and I'd much rather dance to it than any of the overproduced crap that the radio plays these days. And frankly, thats all that matters to me. They're also incredible live, by the way.

Maybe next time, before you run your mouth, you might want to stop and name a band you like and then let me give you the name of a British band that broke the ground for them.
Also thank you for expressing exactly what I have been thinking for so dam long

[stereokiller]

When the last five minutes of this album is dedicated to expressing the common British disposition that American Pop Culture has near destroyed the music scene. Believe me, snark, British kids have an unmistakably low impression of probably every band you think is "siqq."

No doubt this album is nothing groundbreaking musically, however it still sold 300k records in 7 days, and I'd much rather dance to it than any of the overproduced crap that the radio plays these days. And frankly, thats all that matters to me. They're also incredible live, by the way.

Maybe next time, before you run your mouth, you might want to stop and name a band you like and then let me give you the name of a British band that broke the ground for them.

As an Asian, I view this album more as a Discovery channel episode than something I could really relate to. But a few listens later though, there was something in the record that made me feel like I am part of the culture, which is kind of impressive. It's groundbreaking enough for me to leave an impact on how I view different cultures in general.

[xidon]

I thought this album was good. But very overhyped, so i didn't like it as much as i could've.