Arctic Monkeys “Humbug” Review
Sheffield’s Arctic Monkeys have had a somewhat predictable career arc so far, one that has plagued many other bands that have achieved success straight out of the box. They released their remarkable debut to much fanfare and hype (becoming the fastest-selling debut album in UK chart history, and later winning the prestigious Mercury Prize), followed that up with a harder edged, more-demanding second album that struck out a bit at their new found fame, and subsequently wasn’t quite as well-received (but loved by fans perhaps a bit more than their first), and now they are releasing their challenging third record, Humbug, which finds the band distancing themselves from the short bursts of post-punk and aggressive attitudes of the first two albums for the sake of a more experimental, darker sound and even bleaker subject matter. The band also traveled to the desert of California to record with Queens of the Stone Age’s Josh Homme, as well as the gritty streets of New York to finish recording with James Ford (Simian Mobile Disco), and those disparate surroundings permeate the work, as does the musical styles of the men manning the dials.
The record kicks off with the menacing “My Propeller,” guided along by hypnotic guitar and bass riffs, as well as ghostly backing vocals. But the song really doesn’t reach any meaningful destination, instead it seems to serve as an extended introduction to the album’s first single, “Crying Lightning.” The first couple of listens I gave to “Crying Lightning,” left me a bit unimpressed, but this song is a grower, with the building tempo and tension of the track eventually finding release during the driving and catchy chorus, and ultimately winning me over (as did the nautical-themed video). It’s an obvious selection for a lead single, and despite that often uneasy responsibility, the song still thrives and holds up well after repeat listens. Homme’s haunting vocals kick off “Dangerous Animals,” which is a solid song musically, but unfortunately is ruined by front man Alex Turner’s inane lyrics and the repetitious and distracting spelling out of the song’s title.
Where Homme’s influence is felt on Humbug‘s more ominous numbers, Ford brings a bit of the Last Shadow Puppets style (which he formed with Turner) into the record’s understated moments, like on the dulcet sounds of “Secret Door.” But this song suffers from the absence of the lush orchestration found on the Puppets’ album, and meanders a bit before ending with a rather listless chorus. “Potion Approaching” is the closest approximation to the old Arctic Monkeys sound found on the record, and features the propulsive rhythms of drummer Matt Helders and bassist Nick O’Malley, who are locked in and tight throughout the song. But I again found the song lacking a bit lyrically, and eventually it drifts too far into a Doors-ish jam at the end which causes the track to lose all of its momentum.
“Fire And The Thud” is set up for obvious criticism through its title, and I’ll play along by saying this track has much more thud than fire, and meanders about aimlessly. Simply put, it is just a boring song, even with backing vocals from the sultry Alison Mosshart (The Kills, The Dead Weather). Out of the slower, Puppets’ influenced tracks on the record, “Cornerstone,” is the album’s most effective, with Turner’s cheeky lyrics blending well with the evocative keyboards and soaring arrangements. The potent rhythm section again teams up well on “Dance Little Liar,” a taut, foreboding track that builds nicely to its ominous conclusion, complete with machine gun like guitar riffs from Turner and Jamie Cook. “Pretty Visitors” is another throwback to the band’s old sound, but the fiery song is ruined a bit by the ridiculous verse of “What came first, the chicken or the dick head?” And the band tries, quite unsuccessfully in my opinion, to do their best Black Sabbath impersonation in the chorus (apparently Sabbath were a big influence on the band during the recording of Humbug). It is just a real uneven song that tries to fit too many styles and time changes into three and a half minutes, and ends up sounding like an odd mishmash.
The 39 minute album ends with “The Jeweller’s Hands,” which keeps up the band’s tradition of closing their records with a long, slower number. It’s a confident, mature track that again is influenced by Turner’s more orchestral work with the Last Shadow Puppets, closing the record out with a soaring two minute flourish that easily could have found its way onto The Age Of The Understatement. Humbug is a record that finds the Arctic Monkeys being pulled in quite a few directions musically, both from the various impulses of the musicians themselves, and the varying styles and sounds favored by the producers. The album strays into darker territory on the tracks produced by Homme, while the Scott Walker sound of the Last Shadow Puppets imbues the songs produced by Ford. It makes for a tremendously uneven listen, with the band struggling to deliver something new and challenging, while also sounding careful not to repeat themselves in any way. And while some of the new tracks are indeed solid additions to the band’s growing catalog, most of the songs represented here are missing that spark and energy that made Arctic Monkeys such a sensation in the first place.
agree almost entirely
I’ve only listened to the whole record a few times, but I really dig “My Propeller”, “Crying Laughing” , “Secret Door” and “Pretty Visitors”, and your right they sound like different bands at times.
Loving four 4 tracks is “Kinda A Big Deal” these days. I don’t think they’ll save or rule Brit-Pop, but I ain’t mad at them.
glook Erik
i’ll have to check this out…
i found the debut MASSIVELY overrated (with 2-3 banging tracks) but really dug the follow up, especially the slower songs.
Well written but wrong.
I disagree. I think they’re doing something new and innovative every time.
I agree at some points throughout the album they lose their way and try to differ to much from their first 2 albums at the cost of forgetting to write good pop songs. However this does show they arnt just a generic indy band and they do try to progress and show their fans something different which is refreshing.
Ford didn’t produce Secret Dorr, though, Josh Homme did, they recorded it in some sort of desert dome or whatever, they’ve said it in the MOJO article.
To be perfectly honest, i think this album is a great addition to the catalogue. It would be unresonable to expect the A.M to bring out another F.W.N or Whatever People Say…. To do this would bring much criticism, a one dimensional band is the words that come to mind. This album is different but a very good listen. Crying Lightning and Pretty Visitors are certainly standouts for me but they are all fantastic tracks. Persist through the first 1 or 2 listens, you will then be blown away.
I think this is their best album so far. Maybe not as charming as their two first albums but it is an album to be listened to many times.
theyve tried too hard to make sure they dont cover old ground, but in doing so theyve lost the energy that made them the band they are. i liked some of the songs, but as an album it doesnt stand up, with the xception of the quality of the drumming. maybe the plaudits about AT’s lyrics have gone to his head, and he’s taken them in many cases to a rediculous that undoes the darker tone of the album.
Actually, I think this is more accurate…
There’s a saying in music journalism about third albums. If a band puts out a fantastic third album that makes the journalist feel in any way uneasy or disconnected from their pre-determined vocabulary, the album will need to be given a mediocre rating and a bit of slagging-off based on the lack of punk roots (yet over-hyped-ness) that existed on the first release. Okay, maybe that isn’t verbatim, but it’s close.
Northern England’s scrappiest quartet has sidestepped the punk anecdotes and has gifted us a third record with less bite but much more snarl. Arctic Monkeys spent time in the Mojave Desert with Queens Of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme and the darker output provides promising progression. This is a record for fans who were a bit more “This House is a Circus†and a little less “Mardy Bum.â€
Opening track “My Propeller†is ghostly with a scathing charm. Turner spends more time singing and baits the listener with a sleazier palette. Second track, “Crying Lighting†is the album’s first single and obviously inspired by a more Shadow Puppets-esque buzz. Lyrics such as “Your past-times, consisted of the strange/ and twisted and deranged / and I hate that little game you had called / crying lightning / and how you like to aggravate the ice-cream man on rainy afternoons,†serve to make this album an edgier rant. “Dangerous Animals†is seductive and anxious with such cavernous reverb. Though, we could do without the spelling of the track’s title. “Secret Door†is an understated example of all the musical directions the band is being pulled in. “Fire And The Thud†has vintage surf-rocky guitar and lures us into Turner’s mature croon. Track seven, “Cornerstone†is reminiscent of the Beatles and the Stones in the psychedelic years, colliding tremolo guitar with the strangely sweet lyrics “And I elongated my lift home/ Yeah I let him go the long way round/ I smelt your scent on the seat belt/ And kept my shortcuts to myself,†that somehow make it sound like a song the cool kids could slow-dance to. “Pretty Visitors†starts with a church or pipe organ then snaps into anxious sinister vocals, heavily compressed drums, and guitars so dirty they sound R-Rated – only to switch into a chorus reminiscent of a gritty-metal sea shanty. Closing track, “The Jeweler’s Hands†is eerily controlled and sounds like a continuation of where the Shadow Puppets left off.
Perfectly titled “Humbug†is a darkly hypnotic third record with murky layers and an uneven twang. As a whole, it sounds like a haunted carnival funhouse …a kaleidoscope of sneers, horror-movie-moments, sleazy acid guitar, and references to candy. And it makes the listener wonder, “What came first? The chicken or the dickhead?â€
‘humbug’ is unique and will live forever
you must be on another planet to criticize turner lyrics, he is a sensational song writer and in my opinion one of the best lyricists of the generation.
I love that everyone can spell and doesn’t talk rubbish on these comments pages! Wowzers. Still figuring out the album, My Propeller and Crying Lightening have completely won me over now, didn’t like all the darkenss on first listens but woke up with the riff running round my mind this morning. Quite addicted now.
I miss the caustic relatable lyrics but that was never going to last once they made it to Rock Elite I guess. Most of the new lyrics are pretty disappointing actually, Turner just doesn’t seem likeable and letting us in on the joke any more. The drumming is Boss though and I bet it’ll all be great live.
I personally, after 3 or 4 listens, believe this is their best written album. I can understand why people may criticise it, there aren’t many tracks where you can just pick it up and listen to them, but a solid listen definitely allows their ‘darker’ side to shine.
Favourites have to be ‘Secret Door’, ‘Potions Approaching’ and ‘Cornerstone’
I can totally understand why people dont like this album as much as the others but i love it!!! Im one of the ones who thought the second album was just as good if not better than the first, and real fans of the monkeys will know they have had plenty of their past B-sides that would not have been out of place on this record (The Bakery, No Buses, Plastic Tramp) Overall this is a great album and anyone with a broad taste in music will love it.
Favorite Tracks
Crying Lightning
Secret Door
Cornerstone
Potion Approaching
Pretty Visitors
Reviewer got it all wrong – the songs are much more interesting this time around, they’re just slow burners. They have a unique sound for the first time (the first album was basically just another British Strokes style band, while the second was basically halfway between that and this, although contained too much filler).
This is their best record, tbh.
At first I was disappointed but it grew onto me. Good guitar and drums.
Best album so far! Pretty Visitors is by far the best song on the album. I do not understand the criticism.
A let down IMO.
There is nothing here to dance to. Nothing to rock out to. It is all low BMP, dark and rather boring. I hope the slow smoulder catches flame in me but after a couple listenings I find little here to be excited about.
Both past albums shone bright and I was proud to recommend them saying that there was not one song on either I did not like. I can’t do the same here.
A fan forever but rather disappointed in this release.
I really really really want to like this album. So far though, I just don’t. The riffs are kind of boring; I do like the lyrics. It’s just that I’m patiently waiting for it to speed up a bit and it just never gets off the ground.
I will keep trying. I do want to like it because these guys are just too much fun.
I Think this album is too much its like theyv tried to hard to try something different i also think fame and the high life may have gone to alex turners head although they couldnt sing about shefield forever they havent given us anything like the old AM i mean whers tracks like mardy bum,when the sun goes down,fluoresent adolescent?
it seems more like a follow up of the last shadow puppets than the AM..this album has a few cracking tunes but after a two year wait im sorry but it just dont cut it in my opinion..
also alex turners song book was stolen a few months back this may of had an effect?
I am a HUGE fan of the “Last Shadow Puppets” and I am pleased to hear that sound weaving within Humbug. I LOVE it. I hear influences of the Doors and Morrissey –>(especially on My Propeller). No one is giving credit to the song “The Jeweler’s Hands. This song drips with brilliance, from the chord progressions, the eclectic instruments, to the solo. Great way to end the CD. 5 stars.
This Album Is As Good As Their First In A Way But Not Near As Good As Favorite Worst Nightmare!! I Prefer The More Aggressive Guitar Riffs And This Album Is Just Way To Much Influenced By Other Past Bands And LSP !! This Is A Let Down After 2 Years Waiting Really!!! Steve Above Me Is Completely Right
Good review, ive tried to get into it but i dont like the American “Queens of the stone age” feel to it. Wasnt a huge fan of the last shadow puppets either. It’s like they are a differant band. Not a total flop but its bit of a dissapointment after the first two brilliant albums. Just a bit boring, meh.
Hmm… I agree
This one is growing on me fast. I was bored by it the first few times I listened to it, but that’s changing now. Like another poster said, it’s a slow burner: you’ve got to listen to this several times before it sinks in. Once it you get it though, it will be in your head for awhile, burrowing even deeper in. I think it’s a good idea to wait a week or so before reviewing an album to let it digest a bit, rather than rush to premature judgment. Had I commented on this album even a week ago, I would’ve said something much different than now. All told, it’s another great effort from the Sheffield boys!
Mike’s right, it’s a slow burner.
slow burner my cock – the album is a piece of shit
This album is definitely in a completely different direction to the debut. I feel like they moved towards this darker sound on FWN with tracks like ‘If you were there beware’, ’505′ and Brianstorm. The guitar getting less jangly and just deeper and heavier in sound. This heaviness has been fastracked by Josh Homme producing with the QOTSA influence over the moodier tracks like ‘Potion Approaching’. I happen to love this album because you can see maturity in them as songwriting. Matt Helders is an absolute beast especially on ‘Pretty Visitors’, one thing that no one can argue is his talent with the sticks. If you want to hear old AM listen to the itunes bonus track ‘sketchead’, awesome punky track. This album isn’t a step back as this article seems to say it is a step forward because they can take their music in different directions. This album will be ringing in my ears for a long time to come. Keep up the good work AM
What came first the chicken or the dickheads is an excellent verse!
love cornerstone and if anyone got the bonus song sketchehead, it really is a bonus ! cheeky lyrics and energetic guitar and drums.
Sketchead, there’s poison in his spit
He’ll compliment your tits
And leave you to your wits
Sketchead, convincingly insisting
the tires were bore when you gave him the car.
Amazing album. the reviewer got it all wrong
as a qotsa fan i love the new sound, much better then the last 2 albums imho.
as someone mentioned here earlier, the last albums were just another strokes british crap
All three albums have been different from each other, but getting into each album I’ve loved them all… and I suppose what makes an AM fan is one who loves their work and not the 2 or 3 ongs b6y them that were played on the radio.
Probably an apt and reasonably objective assessment.
You’d be hard pressed to find a bigger arctic monkeys fan than me. I’ve had the album for four days now and given it four listens the whole way through. I have to say that I’m kind of disappointed. As you pointed out, their first album was fantastic and to fans like me their second was even better, but this one is lacking in several things:
a)content; its their shortest album so far. 39 mins for a psychadelic rock album? needed more tracks.
b)lyrical finesse; where are the lyrics we’ve come to love alex turner’s writing for?
c)riffs; both their first two albums were laden with great guitar riffs.
I’m still going to give Humbug a chance to un-disappoint me, but I hope they do better on their next full length endeavour.
PS. it was Miles Kane and not James Ford who formed The Last Shadow Puppets with Turner. James Ford produced their album and drummed on it.
well written, from what i’ve heard from the record this sounds quite true. still love them though and i’ll be seeing them in september @ the malkin bowl!
This album makes their entire career sound like shit.
Humbug is amazing.
This review is almost word for word a copy of Spin’s review. Maybe you should try writing your own stuff huh?
Well, considering that Spin’s review posted on August 24th, and mine posted on August 4th, perhaps Spin should take your advice, not me. Thanks for reading though.
hahaha–SPIN–c’mon Erik, put your time machine to better use next time.
Right, at least take your review from Entertainment Weekly next time. I want to see that big B+ rating at the bottom.
I agree with Jeff. I try to like it, but i just don’t. I miss the old riffs. The new songs are too much ‘Puppets’ like. I really hope their next record will be as good as FWN and WPSIATWIN.
Unfortunately, I have to agree thus far. Though I still have to give it a few more listens, this band is too talented to be pulled in all of these distracting directions, hopefully they can find a single party line for the next album. “Pretty Visitors” tries way to hard to be a Sabbath track.
“What came first? The chicken or the dickhead?”
That is one of the best lines in a song ever! It’s just mental!
The album is great, and the new sound works well.
Top 5 songs of the album
1. Pretty Visitors
2. Cornerstone
3. Crying Lightning
4. Dangerous Animals
5. My Propeller
what did come first? The chicken or the dickhead??
Anyone have any ideas?
Yes. I absolutely love those 5.
the only one i don’t like so much is probably potion approaching, and i heard it on the radio this morning. is that seriously a new single? why? when there are so many other more brilliant songs to chose from?
Has No one Noticed that there is barely a coherent tune on any artic monkeys album, this one is no different, i tried hard to like all of them as so many people whose taste i respect seem to, but this is no different to the rest, just a series of quite pleasing noises with nothing linking them, some great drumming, average guitar playing and some good phrasing vocally, but very samey (actually its just slowed down it hasn’t changed much, the same monotonous vocal lines) and lacking in songwriting artistry, and lyrically petulant and self centered. Even a Ringo song on a Beatles album genuinely had more lyrical meaning and progression in the tune than these boys manage!
Why do they all look like they’re smoking sigarettes, only without the sigarettes?
Whilst I could see the high energy appeal of the first two albums and a “bit of fun” in the lyrics, I have long felt myself alone in considering the Arctic Monkeys over-hyped.
As another poster has commented you are pressed to detect any real melody line or songs in any of their work.
Humbug is well…complete humbug. It is boring, tuneless and all those who queued up for the dancey stuff will abandon their heroes in their droves.
Problem is here so many jounos have been creaming themselves as the second coming (no pun intended) that they can’t now back down and say perhaps they were a bit hasty.
And can anyone just explain to me how “what came first the chicken or the dickhead” is smart, clever or groundbreaking? Give us a break. It’s just rubbish.
its a slow burner alright.
i would suggest all those with negative comments have only listened to album once or twice at the most.
these guys are big enough and talented enough to pull this off
good work fullas
The review itself and most of the comments ar quite interesting.
I’m a massive Monkeys fan and i think the Shadow P’s album was classy and sophisticated. I’m totaly in love with this new album and i consider their change in direction extremely pragmatic and intelligent.
Turner’s vocal has matured and Helder’s drumming is something else. I really like the production too and believe this will prove to be a classic album in time.
Many bands are criticised for not experimenting or changing their style slightly. The Arctics have done this and done it well. FWN was completely different from their debut and this record is once again different again.
If you listen to the Beatles, they changed their style throughout their career and we all know how great they were. Please let’s enjoy the Arctics for what they are: A great British band that are capable of legendary status in years to come. I cannot think of another British band in the last twenty years or so who have shown as much promise and passion as these guys. I can remember seeing the Smiths play live in the 80′s and receiving cult status but it wasn’t really until years and years later that they seem to get the recognition they deserved. Let us not make the same mistake with these boys as i really believe they are a special talent.
Obviously we all have different opinions which, let’s be honest, is good and healthy. It is my (humble) opinion though that ‘Humbug’ is a great record of the highest quality. Dark and moody with wit and periodic injections of energy.
Essential.
I think the album is wonderful, after a first listen Crying Lightning was the only song I actually enjoyed. Two more listens and I pretty much dug the whole album. Except for the Jeweller’s hands, for some reason I can’t wrap my brain around that one. I just don’t…like it? Dance Little Liar is def one of the best tracks along with Pretty Visitors, potion approaching, crying lightning, my propeller, and cornerstone. Dangerous Animals would be a lot nicer to listen to if they got rid of the spelling. Rappers are the only musicians who should be aloud to do that. And for everyone who are true arctic monkey fans, we all know the one thing these guys always do is get you to dance. Well most of these tracks get me dancing, just in a slower manner. They are always wonderful at creating a great rhythm, thats fun to move to. I do have one question though. I feel like maybe the rest of the band besides Alex Turner didn’t really have a say in how this album was supposed to sound? The music does come off as more, “Alex Turner, I’m with two bands now, I make the decisions.” Just a thought. But overall I think the album is great, and I also think the album has received a lot of false reviews. It seems like most of the people reviewing already have set things they are looking for in the songs, instead of accepting a transition for a different style. Why do you think the Hives have died? RIFF RIFF RIFF lots of words, RIFF RIFF RIFF lots of words.
Fire and Thus is one of the strongest songs on the album, it is hardly boring and in my view easily album of the year so far. Does take a few listens beofre the quieter songs make their impact, but boring no.
Great article but i dont agree with 90% of it.
“what came first, The Chicken or the dickhead” is a great line and i don’t see why it ruins the song, it helps make it as good as it is.
A brilliant 3rd album to follow up 2 albums and various ep’s of pure genious.
A new sound, and i love it
This review pretty much sums up what I had in mind when I first heard the album. Personally I dislike this album and hopefully the Arctic monkeys will return to their original sound in their future albums
totally disagree with the review. i had only heard a few of their songs on the radio and before ‘humbug’ i could take ‘em or leave ‘em. the only reason i bought this album was because of the fact that josh homme and alain johannes produced and engineered it (i’m a huge QOTSA fan). i figured their influence on what i thought was an okay band would be interesting. i do agree this album is a grower. it grows on you. i was addicted to it after 2-3 listens all the way through. if i had to sum it up in a few words, i would say: dark, edgy, layered, textured, playful, original, crisp. i love it and regard it as an exceptional piece of rock music. i listened to the other albums afterward, and i like them, but humbug, in my opinion, sounds more mature and refined than the others. i also agree that those hoping for an extension of the last two albums may be pretty disappointed. definitely not quite as fast as the first two, and i was actually looking forward to it being fairly fast, but the energy and sound made up for that as far as i’m concerned. this album has made me a very large fan.
I have been a big fan of the Arctic Monkeys for a while now, and I loved to listen to songs like Brianstorm, Still Take You Home, and I Bet You Look Good on the Dance Floor while I worked out. So naturally I was excited to hear they came up with a new album, but after listening to it I think that all the people who like their new direction are high and don’t like the Arctic Monkeys but some new tainted version of the band that is not true to what they were.
To be honest i’m not impressed with this third album. I missed the catchy rock sound on my first listening session. But since most people are positive about this album i’ll listen to this album several times and maybe it will win me over in time. Anyone feels this way too?
Love AT, but I have to agree, not the best Album.
This album has disappointed me, really.
It’s so melodic, it’s annoying…
This is not evolving, it’s deep a crave and lay on it.
AT have slow song’s, no problem, but a whole Album..
For real.. Common.. It’s depressing.
AT, What a hell?!
why are you refering only to alex turner?
He doesnt make the band, you should notice how great Matt Helders and Nick O’Mailey are
This isn’t arctic monkeys. I don’t like this new band. So depressive and not even quality depressive music at that.
Agreed for the most part well, actually
all of it I just get offended with anything
bad said about Alex turner, love him a Lot.
i think alot of people are talking about it
because like the last sentence said its missing
that spark that energy that made us all love
the Arctic Monkeys in the first place. still lOVE the
album cornerstone is quite wonderful and Crying lighting
is a ‘grower’ totally agree to that. I saw them in concert
and it was AMAZING and live, right then and there, Crying
lightning was AWESOME..looking forward to actually
purchasing the album.
I’m a biggg Arctic Monkeys fan but I didn’t find this new album to be so great. This is why I came across this page; I couldn’t believe that I didn’t like the album and I wanted to see if others thought the same. I’m glad I’m not the only one and I agree with what others have said, it’s a bit slow-ish/ monotone/depressing – it’s just so unlike the Arctic Monkeys. I just saw them in concert last night and they are such good performers! But I must admit, I was kind of disappointed but at the same time, VERY thankful that I finally got to see them live. I wish they played more of their old, upbeat songs. When they preformed their new songs, the atmoshphere in the crowd was ehh.. but when they played a couple of their old songs, the crowd started dancing around and singing with smiles everywhere. ….Man, what happened?
out the 3 albums this 1 has showed how good the music is not just the lyrics but both are genius
To be honest anyone who listened to fwn deeply and enjoyed it should really like this album and when i saw deeply i meen listen carefuly to the riffs in ‘brianstorm’ listen to ‘if you were there beware’ listen to the daunting gutair that is throughout ’505′ listen to ‘this house is a circus’ further than ‘bezerk as fuck and not just listen to teddy picker like it then love the album i think ‘brianstorm’,’505′ and ‘if you were there beware’ sound as if they would fit in fine with humbug.
Also i dont agree that my propeller is an opening to the album i just think it sets a standard of what to expect of the album dangerous animals can get a bit repetitive but it is different and some lyrics in it are top noch crying lightning is a grower pretty visitors i dont think there are many faults in it and secret door in my opinion is also a massive grower and fire and the thud is boring its just slow maybe just listen to every part of the song instead of treating it like a latest chart song
I was so thrown off when I bought this album, then I found this thread, and felt better when loads of people agreed with me. I wasn’t the only one who went ‘wtf is this?’ But, like others on this thread, I found the slow burn thing completely true. I love this album now, Secret Door is my new favorite.. so addictive. Only con are the lyrics.. maybe a few more listen and I’ll be able to decipher the meanings…
I dont understand how nobody has notice how “Vampire” the sound of Humbug is, with influences going back to the “Killing Moom” by Eco & the Bunnyman and “Bloodletting” by Concrete Blonde, That sound it’s all over the album. If you dont hear it, you’re deaf….
sorry eric, hr8 to hear another opinion and all that BUT I dont think you “get” the album at all. Its not supposed to be “even” or an easy listen. This album challenges, I think your missing subtle lines words and nuances. Missing style changes as mistakes but rather purely intentional. For example Pretty Visitors refers to the poxy indie fan boys, they secretly didnt like the fan fare of NME and others (they actually gave nme false info about the album pre release haha). They see these fan boys jump on the band wagoners as pretty visitors who wave their arms and whatever. but once they hear compelling music void of in your face punk they piss off and listen to razorlight. the changing of styles mid song reflects the thought process of the band. Do they want to stay with the guitar band image be indie heroes or do they want to develop into something more something they want to be.
cheers
Rob
Definately a departure from earlier material , and the darker deeper sound may alienate some fans who jumped on the bandwagon with their 2006 debut. However credit is due for taking the chance with something new and not making the same album for the 3rd time , a la Oasis with 1997s Be here now.
Some might say that “you just simply cant get into it”, i know exactly what you mean.I absolultely loved AM first and second albums and when Humbug came out I was disappionted.Don’t get me worng; I listened to the main tunes that caught me immeadiatly including:pretty visitors,crying lgihtning and cornerstone, but however I was genrally disappointed.
The album lay in my ipod for weeks (unattended) as i quickly reverted back, listening to the good ol’days of WPSIAM and FWN…..About a month later in the back of the car, I decided to give Humbug another go,all of a sudden the spell was cast. Songs like the Jewlllers hands,Fire and the thud,dance little lier ect, they just clicked, it’s hard to explain HOW, but it does. From then on ive been listenig to the album constantly and can’t get enough of it.
With WPSIAM being easilly my favourite album (at that time) it was definately going to take some beating, but it did. I love how they sang about ‘mordern day britain’ and how you can relate to the songs like “mardy Bum”, especially being a 15 year old, liveing in a busy city, who mainly live for the weekend.
Humbug is like it hypmosises you into a ghost as you travel through these stories and characters…it might be a “hard to understand conclusion” of the alubm but thats truely what it does to you. The album is genuinly so amazingly detailed in a way you can never describe it. ive simply evolved into listening to this new style of thier music and cannot wait where they direct me in it fourth. Humbug is now my favourite album.
Well I have to disagree with some of the criticism said above. True the previous albums by Arctic Monkeys are very different from their newer album, Humbug, but it can be easily said that all three albums are very good.
“Whatever People Say I Am, Thats What I’m Not” was a beautifully delivered first album with frantic rythems and cheeky lyrics. The Arctic Monkeys came driving thru showing that they had what it takes to be a major band and left little room for criticism. Alex Turner’s brilliant lyrics flowed smoothly and told interesting stories about the observations and to some degree satarized the events if his hometown Sheffield and of the people that inhabit it. Of course Matt Helders, Jaime Cook and Nick O Malley do a superb job at playing their instruments with great accuracy. The melodies and lyrics combined made their first album a huge success and drew attention to them as an uprising band.
Favourite Worst Nightmare, their second album, showed progression within the bands sound. There were still tunes that were simiar to that of their first album, but in a whole “Favourite Worst Nightmare” was an album filled with loud and fast songs mixed in with slower more mature ones. “Brianstorm” and “This House Is A Circus” are two songs that show the balls to the wall, cheeky sound of Arctic Monkeys, while songs such as “505″ and “Only One Who Knows” display some of Turners ingenious lyrics and portray a more mature, meloncholy persona that captivate the listener in a trance of amazement.
Lastly, The Arctic Monkeys newest albun “Humbug” is noteably the more different of the three. The influence of Queens Of The Stone Age frontman, Josh Homme, can be heard in guitar solos like that in “Crying Lightning”. The tracklist is much slower than that of the first two albums and because of this, many critics have doomed the album as a failure. However, this conclusion has been unfairly and unaccuratly stated. The slower sound and haunting vocals of Turner take a hold on any listener willing to take the time to really pay attention to the lyrics. Rythmic ballads such as “Cornerstone” and “Secret Door” display the catchy lyrics Turner is known for, while also embellishing a lofty aura in the songs melodies. Of course there are songs that remind us of the previous albums. “Pretty Visitors” is a fast pace song that has a bit of the younger feeling grittiness first heard in the Arctic Monkeys;Alex Turner shouting “What Came First? The Chicken Or The Dickhead!” Songs such as “Dangerous Animal”, “Potion Approaching” and “My Propellor” add a new more sexual tone to the album, using brilliant inindo lines such as “My Propellor, Wont Spin, And I Cant Get It Started On My Own, When Are You Arriving?” This last album has shown a maturity in the sound and perspective of the young bandmate, and stays true to the Arctic Monkeys persona. Though the sound is quite different, its still delivered with the same professionalism as the previous two albums.
Well there you go. A breakdown of the Arctic Monkeys sound and a review on their latest albm. I must admit this is longer than I percieved it to be but I had to get my word in. Whether or not the fans agree with the Monkeys new sound, one can not deny that they are a force to be reckoned with. Their talent exudes in their live performances and can be heard in Turners superb vocals, and the bands amazingly clean performance. Thank you to all who take the time to read this…and to those who dont…well I’ll just be another 16 year old girl who’s voice is ignored….but oh well…
Humbug is on par with their previous albums in which is my favourite. All three are great for different reasons: the ‘everylad’ tales of late nights in Whatever…, the sheer power of Nightmare, and now the dark and sexy Humbug.
All songs have their merits, but my personal favourite is Dance Little Liar. On first listen it struck me as good, but not brilliant, but soon the dark riffs and unnerving lead guitar stabs at the end got under my skin, and I loved it. The icing on the cake was when the Monkeys played this as their opener at Wembley Arena the other night (amazing gig!).
Other favourites include the groovy Crying Lightning (epic chorus), Secret Door (loving that euphoric conclusion), Cornerstone (pop perfection to rival Fluorescent Adolescent) and The Jeweller’s Hands (the bass in this song is amazing, and I love the lyrics, seemingly documenting an LSD trip).
Some will bemoan it, but I love every second of this particular sweet. It’s good for a band to change their template once in a while, and it’s nice to see that the Monkeys have another side to them, no matter how good the first two records were.
You really are a stupid cunt.
Let the band evolve for fuck’s sake.
Humbug kicks arse over anything they’ve done so far, and I’m not even a fanboy.
Suck a dick and lrn2music.
Faggot.
This album is amazing. indeed you need to let it grow on you, from my point of view they made an album that tells me; “we’ve grown up”. since the two first (also wre good albums)made em’ sound like young musicians this one on the other hand has an realy nice deep, heavy tone to it. i do think this is their best one so far, by the music to judge the other two where more for the easy-listener not the ones (as my self, a musician) that realy think twice ’bout the sound of a band. so much in this one the be listening to, instead of an straight down thru song/album.
My mate gave me this album and gave it high praise. I gave it a listen and kept thinking.. If you took away the lead singers destinctive voice, there wouldn’t be much evidence of a trademark sound that would tie any of these songs together. I love an album that changes and has a lot of diversity but this album seems to lack a soul.
This album seems to focus less on the sound and more on technique. I know they whant to show that they have grown as musicians but they seem to be trying to enter teritory they are not yet comfortable with. Just because you learnt how to construct a song differantly and make it more complex, does not mean it’s better.
Im not a huge fan of th AM but i start to hear humbug and Im inlove of this record its so deep like only at listen it transport you to dark pshycodehlic place but a really comfort and relaxing place I don,t care about losing the spark of the band or the lyrics are no that good The music is great its a big mix of alot of stlyes like cream or some desert rock but at the same time like really good druming and slow precisly guitar such a trip to be remarkable not to be criticize .- dont judge just get into it and let you go……
PD sorry about my english
I don’t know what else a band of actual musicians can do other than push themselves to experiment and remain fresh. I for one like the album and support the band’s efforts. Some may not like the it, but those people probably also have Justin f—in’ Timberlake or Kenny f—in’ Chesney in their ipod as well…
I would agree if I had only listened to the album 3,4 or even 5 times, I have listened to this while driving around Sydney for months and I can say that this is probably the best album of last year and certainly their best effort to date. Potion Approaching is fckin amazing..
this album is amazin, they broadin their sound but dont forget their core style. great progression and show there not just some generic indie band with only one dimension. a more brooding sound, love it. but it is definately a grower of an album, wasnt sure what to make of it on my first listen but you get more and more out of it the more times you listen. critics need to sit on it for a least a week before the make judgements. cant wait to see where thet go after this.
this album is incredible and turner is the greatest lyricist to ever live, just becase u can’t handle interesting and different u judge them, turner is a genious and helders as well, this album is incredibly interesting and new
I COMPLETELY DISAGREE, I LOVED ALL THE SONGS.
ALL OF THEM.
I THINK THE FIRST TWO ALBUMS WERE REALLY REALLY GREAT.
BUT IN MY OPINION THIS IS THEIR BEST ALBUM YET.
OR AT LEAST MY FAVORITE.
THE ONES WHO THINK THIS ALBUM SUCKS, WELL THINK AGAIN.
AND LISTEN MORE CAREFULLY.
and anyone who thinks like you needs a brain exam. Blackie’s Dead means I HATE NIGGERS don’t you get what Pete Yorn is singing?
I agree with a lot of what you’ve said, and Humbug is really not the Arctic Monkeys we’ve been loving for all this time, but it does have its moments.. And i think you took the ‘chicken or the dickhead’ line a bit out of context. It’s one of the only energetic songs on the album and in the atmosphere of the song it fits perfectly. I think the mixed reviews sound like people who live outside the British Isles want the old crazy and brilliant AM back with an album that is similar to the first two, and are therefore disappointed with the somewhat heavy American influences. Whereas the Americans will be very pleased with the album because the strong English lyrics in the first two aren’t present, and the band take on a classier rock persona. And to the guy comparing Arctic Monkeys to the Frames, get off the internet until you understand music.
sorry, meant people living inside the British Isles are disappointed
I disagree entirely with this review. This album is by far the best they have ever composed, it shows extreme musical maturity without loosing the original voice the monkeys always had. The only reason many people find it dissapointing is because they fell in love with the “retro-ish young indie rock band” concept that is falling behind. Now that their sound is widening its becoming harder for the musically limited and shallow minds of the masses to appreciate their masterpieces. The supposedly new darker sound has ALWAYS been there, in the basslines, in the lyrics, everywhere. Turner’s writing is now traced by surrealism but still loyal to the story-teller he always was. There’s not a song in the whole album i wouldnt say is fucking GENIUS. But dont worry, they’re only loosing the shity fans (probably gaining better ones too). anyway, Im still a huge fan of them and cant wait for the fourth album.
Such a good album… it is a grower but once you get into it it’s as ‘catchy’ as their previous records. People want them to repeat the first album, people want another I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor or A Certain Romance, but what makes their first album so special is that it’s unique and they’re not stupid enough to try and repeat that, even though they probably could try and would sell more records and make more money that way… but that’s not what Arctic Monkeys are about. For me Humbug is the most complete AM record to date and shows they’re going from strength to strength as a band… they’ve shed the bandwagon fans, and naturally that’s gonna bring the backlash, the media doesn’t like the fact that Arctic Monkeys are beating them. But this is a proper rock band now, and I for one can’t wait to see what the 4th album brings.
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And because of that sentence nobody should even care about this review, it’s a pure SHIT what you’ve written here.
“Potion Approaching” is the closest approximation to the old Arctic Monkeys sound found on the record.
And because of that sentence nobody should even care about this review, it’s a pure SHIT what you’ve written here.