Reportedly the fastest-selling debut in British history at the time of its early-2006 release, the Arctic Monkeys' WHATEVER PEOPLE SAY I AM, THAT'S WHAT I'M NOT is a brash, hook-filled album that immediately warrants music fans' attention, if perhaps not all of the pre-release hype. Clearly taking notes on the evolution of U.K. punk, the Sheffield-based band reveal the influence of revered predecessors such as the Jam and the Clash, while most notably evoking the Libertines in their youthful, hood-rat persona. On this hyperactive 13-track set, singer/guitarist Alex Turner is armed with an arsenal of sharply observed middle-class narratives (a la the Streets), which are propelled by wiry guitar lines and formidable rhythms that, at times, verge on funk (see Bloc Party). Highlights of this much-lauded disc include the raucous "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor," the woozy "Riot Van" (one of the record's few quieter moments), and the lurching "When the Sun Goes Down." Like Franz Ferdinand's scruffier (and considerably less effete) kid brothers, the Arctic Monkeys prove that the hyperbole of the U.K. music press occasionally has roots in an impressive reality.
Arctic Monkeys: Alex Turner (vocals, guitar); Jamie Cook (guitar); Andy Nicholson (bass guitar); Matt Helders (drums).
- Format: Vinyl
- Genre: Rock, Alternative
- Remember, for our lowest prices, always order directly from our official JocoRecords website!
Track Listing:
A1 The View From The Afternoon
A2 I Bet You Look Good On The Dance floor
A3 Fake Tales Of San Francisco
A4 Dancing Shoes
A5 You Probably Couldn't See For The Lights But You Were Staring Straight At Me
A6 Still Take You Home
B1 Riot Van
B2 Red Light Indicates Doors Are Secured
B3 Mardy Bum
B4 Perhaps Vampires Is A Bit Strong But..
B5 When The Sun Goes Down
B6 From The Ritz To The Rubble
B7 A Certain Romance
