Review: Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare

April 29, 2007 – 3:07 pm by malik

Alex Turner hates phony baloneys. The lead singer of Arctic Monkeys can’t stand your fake tales from San Francisco and your tee shirt and ties combination. He’s a defender against poseurs and professional pretenders. This seemingly obsession with “keeping it real” may eventually lead to the downfall of his excellent band and lowering of the spotlight. Or lead to a departure of a band member, which has happened with bassist Andy Nicholson. Your Favourite Worst Nightmare is a mix of their brilliant debut (“Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not”) and mediocre EP (“Who The Fuck Are Arctic Monkeys”).

Your Favourite Worst Nightmare plays a little faster and louder, but that doesn’t equate better. It seems to be in a rush to go somewhere, but not sure of the direction. Gone are the vivid songs of British bar/club culture, unforgiving cab drivers and ignorant truancy officers. It’s also less cohesive than its predecessor and lacks the memorable hooks. They simply don’t sound like they’re having fun or wisecracking about having a laugh. Alex speaks-sings a lot on the majority of the record, showcasing a bit of Hip Hop influences. The rhythm section sounded a bit sedated in a few songs.

Now given the above, one would safety assume that the lads have made a sub-par awful record. Not True. It’s not superb, but it’s far from disappointing. A bunch of reviews have mentioned the obvious single worthy and lady friendly “Fluorescent Adolescent,” which is about a party girl who has changed her fishnets for a nightdress. “Do Me a Favour, ” a song about a breakup thru the perspective of the female has the excellent couplet, “How to tear apart the ties that bind/perhaps fuck off, might be too kind.” “505” is probably the Arctic Monkeys first genuine love song: “In my imagination you’re waiting lying on your side/With your hands between your thighs.”

Give the lads some credit. They are going thru some expected growing pains and this good album hints at better things to come. But dealing with the spotlight of fame, Alex I recommend you put on The Smiths’ “Frankly, Mr. Shankly”: “Fame, fame, fatal fame/It can play hideous tricks on the brain/But still I rather be famous than righteous or holy/any day, any day, any day.” Trust me, Morrissey knows what it’s all about.

Tags: arctic monkeys, music, review
 

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