ALBUM REVIEWS

Arctic Monkeys
WHATEVER PEOPLE SAY I AM…THAT’S WHAT I’M NOT
DOMINO 23.01.06
@www.vanguard-online.co.uk

 Don’t Believe Everything You Hear…Well, Maybe You Should, Actually.

Like so many fans of new music, I watched the rise, then explosion, of Arctic Monkeys with great interest, while keeping my opinion reserved, afraid of liking a band that become “too mainstream” (see: Hard-Fi). So when the band’s first two singles went straight in at number one, I found myself worrying about how I’d take to their upcoming album.

Admittedly, “I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor” was one of my tracks of 2005, and “When The Sun Goes Down” proved to be a powerful grower, but when I put “Whatever People Say I Am…That’s What I’m Not” into my CD Player, it was still with a strong feeling of concern…

…Which proved to be completely unfounded. I’m really sorry, but this album is breathtaking. On first listen, I picked up on some jazz and funk influences that make tracks like “Red Light Indicates Doors Are Secured” jump off the page, and registered that they weren’t just doing the same thing as everyone else. Further listens, and better knowledge of the lyrics, just adds to this enjoyment. For such a young and fresh band, they play with a tightness that is lacking in so many current chart acts.

Sure, most of their songs focus on getting drunk, pulling birds and generally being a bored teenager, but the message is delivered in a tongue-in-cheek way. “Mardy Bum” typifies this, telling a Jekyll-and-Hyde style story of a woman’s emotions, but with a sensitivity that really captures the imagination.

I could sit here and tell you, track-by-track why this is such a great album, but I don’t think I need to. Ask anyone that’s heard it and you’ll get a good response at worst. I’ve no doubt that it’ll go to number one for a long time and become one of THE classic debut albums. I’ll happily join the list of people who are comparing it to “Definitely Maybe”, but, to be honest, I don’t need to. Just buy it and see for yourself: I guarantee it’ll live in your Hi-Fi until Christmas 2007.



Simon Middleyard

www.arcticmonkeys.com