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Arctic Monkeys: From Sheer Brilliance To Total Mediocrity
When Arctic Monkeys released their latest album they reached a new low in their career, just how did they go from the heights of 'Favourite Worst Nightmare' to the slapdash 'Suck it and See'?
Have the likeable ruffians lost their edge?
‘Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not’ was and is a brilliant album. A fantastic foray into the musical consciousness of the nation. ‘Favourite Worst Nightmare’ was very much hit and miss but listenable none the less. ‘Humbug’ took some listening to but it is a ‘nice’ album, though there is nothing stellar about it. ‘Suck It and See’ is a terrible, terrible abomination to popular music and a massive slap in the face to fans who have bought the album and paid a fair amount of money to go and see the likeable ruffians. There is something about them that kept me coming back for more. I now fear that my patience has worn thin. I severely doubt I will ever look forward to an Arctic Monkeys’ release again. It was more mislaid trust than frenzied expectation; I want them to do well more than anything. Well that’s not strictly true what I want is for them to entertain me and give me something I can listen to over and over again without feeling the red mist descend or slip into a boredom induced coma. But they appear to have lost the magic touch (eluding them since their barnstorming debut). The fire has now died to a spark that is threatening to fizzle out.
In my opinion an album should be judged on its own merits initially. Comparing it to others within the artists back catalogue or with its contemporaries is not the best way of evaluating the merits of a piece of music. However it is almost impossible not to judge it in such a way. It’s just easier to do so. A very male thing to do comparing and contrasting requires as little use of expressive language as can be desired. So I will try my best to judge each album on its own merits but I’ll probably end up falling into the trap in order to make my point.
My point is that since their first taste of success the Arctic Monkeys have slowly but surely made a mockery of themselves. This has culminated with the shocking lack of quality found within the last album ‘Suck It and See’. The lyrics are ridiculously bad and the melody is banal. It isn’t laughably bad, I just can’t listen to it without wanting to cause harm to everyone around me. As has been said, ad nauseam, the lyrics found on the first album are clever, fast paced and catchy. It doesn’t take many listens before you are able to shout every word of each track back at your hi-fi or back at Alex Turner himself. It is this quality that is lacking in their more recent releases. There doesn’t seem to be anything that grabs me the way WYSIATWIN (Whatever You Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not) did.
There are issues that arise now. Just like beauty is in the eye of the beholder we each have our own personal opinion on music and that shapes how we listen to it and judge it. A big factor which shapes how you receive music is who you are as a person. This is why WYSIATWIN was/is such a massive album for me. I could relate to almost everything in the record, it spoke to me; it summed up a period of my life pretty succinctly. This is something we all do, we force a piece of ourselves onto the music and allow it to speak for us when we are not able to vocalise something about ourselves.
So this may be why every other Arctic Monkeys’ album pales in comparison to the debut. It feels like there is more to it than just that though. There seems to be a lack of care and feeling in the lyrics on ‘Suck It and See’. Everything feels contrived and hurriedly put together in a slapdash manner. This means that it is not easy to listen to. Not even slightly. It is more of a cringe worthy chore than an aural treat.
The lyrics are ridiculously bad and the melody is banal. It isn’t laughably bad, I just can’t listen to it without wanting to cause harm to everyone around me.
Recently whilst channel hopping I came across The Graham Norton Show who featured as its special music guests…well you can guess who. I shivered and turned the channel over. New depths are being plumbed in order to appeal to the unwashed masses who don’t like music but instead listen to the TOP 40 countdown and other such pop catastrophes. Almost proving my point that there is nothing good about ‘Suck It and See’, there are no redeeming qualities.
It is definitely true that artists and bands need to evolve musically in order to remain both original and relevant however this does not need to come at the cost of quality of output. I feel this has been the case of Alex Turner and Arctic Monkeys. Perhaps with the exception of Turner’s soundtrack for Richard Ayaode’s directorial debut Submarine which was, in my opinion, brilliant if a bit ‘samey’. The version of Piledriver Waltz on the soundtrack is superior to the version on ‘Suck It and See’. It’s less busy as a song, and there is no bombarding of the ears. I do not expect the lyrics and music to be written in the same way, in the same spirit, as the first album was. This would be an aberration. Maturation must take place. Unlike wine or cheese they have aged like cheap milk your mum bought from Kwik Save before it bit the dust.
Unfortunately Arctic Monkeys have fallen into a realm into which they are no longer relevant or credible only popular and profitable. Their bread and butter was creating songs from experience and being able to use wit to shape it. In the beginning there was a startling amount of output from the band most of which was stellar. You could drink it all in. From demos to EP’s to the debut LP. It was simple, understated, stylish and as catchy as the pox. Both chicken and small.
Alex Turner has it all. So now perhaps there is nothing for him to write about. There don’t appear to be any stories to tell. But there must be and we all know that he has the tools to tell them - So why not? Has he lost the drive and energy to create and be credible? It feels so. Churning out mindless trash is easy and profitable and what the unwashed masses want, apparently.
Perhaps I am just being über critical in wanting everything I hear to be brilliant. It is true that I have high standards and that I am highly judgemental. I do realise that everything I listen to cannot be brilliant and something that I will connect with and love. But this does not mean that I cannot be disappointed. It would be naive to think that every album would be of the same high quality as their exceptional debut. So surely I should look for different ways in which these records excel? The truth is I have tried but with the exception of a couple of ‘good’ tracks I have found that they are garbage. A touch harsh, that I will concede, but I don’t like sitting on the fence. Love or death and all that.
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COMMENTS
Welcome to music. very few bands or artists (I can count 3) release more than 4 good albums. You have your whole life to write your first one and a half albums. Then, as you said, you get everything you think you want and boom you are no longer in a position to write the lyrics that made you what you are. Maybe in a few years they will try to 'recreate the old magic'by bringing some pot noodles and a copy of heat magazine into the studio. decent bands churning out shit for the masses is where 'pop music' is at. arctic monkeys, coldplay, JLS they are all the fucking same. It's sad but when profit is king everything else means fuck all. Until one of them is found dead in the back seat of a bentley they'll keep churning this shit out, ala the red hot chilly peppers, U2, coldplay, metalllica and all the other shit for the unwashed masses. etc
Are you joking, man? This is a terrible and completely biased review of their newest album. Alex Turner is a lyrical genius, and has wrote his best lyrics to date. It's a matter of opinion I suppose; I guess you're just into mindless dribble than proper guitar music. Also, to the stupid faggot who commented. Comparing Arctic Monkeys to JLS? Haha, you're slipping, man. Fucking ridiculous this is, and this article is a mockery of this shit website too. Good day, gentlemen.
Disagree completely. They've changed their style. You cant just keep releasing albums that are identical. Humbug was a little iffy in parts, but Suck it and See is a brilliant album. Not as good as their first, but still great.
I would have stood shoulder to shoulder with you on this....a year ago. I went to see them last year and after playing the depressing drivle from humbug and only a couple of half hearted efforts from the 1st album i was close to walking out, but nevertheless decided my days of being an arctic monkeys fan were over. But Suck it and See has reignited my love for the band. Catchy choruses and heavy guitar riffs are back, with genius lyrics that have been away for quite some time. They definitely suffered with the infamous 3rd album syndrome but while the latest effort hasn't quite resurrected their status they once had, they have another chance.
They have lost that certain uniqueness they had, but its all relative. I know lads that love Humbug, which for me was soporific. Favorite Worst Nitemare was amazing for me i love it as much as the first album. But they do seem....diluted. However as the first comment said, this is the way it is, with fame you get disconnected from your scene and can lead to some artist losing their way. This has just reminder me of the B-side "Despair in the Departure Lounge"!!! Some artists re-find themselves, come back as different people and therefore artists. Look at Radioheads development. Bob Dylan completely lost his way, ended up attempting to find a way "to do consciously what he used to do unconsciously", culminating in writers block around the late 80's early 90's. Think your being a bit harsh on the new album. Turner does have talent to burn, sometimes its just gotta change and develop, as, primarily, has the individual. Life is up and down, for everyone. We all have golden, mediocre, mundane or plain shite periods in our life no matter what we do. Stick with him brother.
To quote a wise man: "Josh Homme ruins everything."
you are a complete knobhead who needs to rot in hell, you don't understand suck it and see, shortsighted people like you don't deserve to listen to this great album. Monkeys have managed to bring a psychadelic but quirky feel to the album which for a song writer must be extremely hard. Anyway you're a wanker who deserves to listen too One Direction or some shit mainstreamer like Ed Sheeran
The fact that you think Favourite Worst Nightmare is hit and miss says it all. Whilst the first album had the huge cultural impact and the 'pop songs', FWN is clearly their strongest, most cohesive piece of work. Whilst Humbug was admittedly a bit iffy, Suck It And See is a real return to form. I predict they will make one more album then Turner will go solo and cement his status as one of the best songwriters of his generation.
You say the lyrics in Suck It And See lack "feeling and care". Please explain how you came to that conclusion when there's songs on the album such as "Love Is A Lazerquest". You claim Turner has lost his touch and criticise him for not writing the same way he did in the first album - When if he'd have written in the same style for the following 3 albums you'd have only criticised him for not evolving his style.
I agree with your points about WPSIATWIN, that summed up the same period of my life in the same way, as it did for a generation almost. But sometimes, you just can't emulate that as we've seen countless times from debut albums. And with a brilliant first album comes the fame and a completely different lifestyle. The songs on that first album were a collection of events from the bands (and every other lad that age)formative years. And had they continued to sing songs about encounters with bouncers and sweaty nightclubs, they would have been quickly accused of standing still. Suck it and See contrary to what you think, is a brilliant album. It goes without saying that we are all entitled to our opinions, and no one can change yours, but I can't help but think you've been a little harsh on SIAS. I know it has its dull moments, notably Brick by Brick and Library Pictures, but there are some absolutely brilliant pop songs on there. To me it spoke volumes about the quality of Humbug when they only played x 2 songs from the album at the Sheffield gigs last year, and I can almost guarantee there will be more SIAS tracks on the set list of the next albums tour. That lack of Humbug songs on the 2011 tour surely suggests a poor album (a view echoed in my particular circle of Monkey loving friends). One thing you can't deny is Turner's ability to weave everyday observations into pop songs that are adored and recited along with him at gigs by millions. I hope you'd give the band (or him as a solo artist in future?) another chance based on that talent alone.
They love QOTSA, and they've let their love of one particular band dominate their sound. But haveing said that, they are still head and shoulders above most of the middle-class, privately-educated, indie drivel that passes for 'hip' music these days. Oh, and JLS are the worst 'act' I've ever seen. If they appear on someone's show on TV, I take it as a barometer for the entertainment factor of said show. Absolute drivel.
This reviewer sounds about 13 years old. Go away and listen to Kasabian, Alex Turner is moving on without you.
I don't need to say anything more than all 4 albums are brilliant.
I thought their first album was shit. I thought the last was boss. But I'm not going to write an article about it. I can't be arsed. I never even read this one.
Not sure how anyone thinks the Arctic Monkeys have become more commercial, if anything their music has steered away from the limelight. Personally I thought humbug was a quality album, must admit Suck it and See is hardly my favourite album but it's still better than anything most other bands are putting out. Have to say it's just plain lazy to write an article on a band and not even get the name of the album you apparently love so much correct (Whatever People Say I am That's What I'm Not). I realise music is all about opinions and I can see that the album doesn't stand up to previous offerings but to describe the album as an abomination is ridiculous.
what are you even on about. what a terribly written article. you clearly lack good music taste and your views on the subject should not be put forward on a site as good as ST.
There first album is class there 2nd and 3rd are ok and suck it and see is class.You obviously dont like arctic monkeys so why buy there albums stick to Xfactor or Justin Bieber whatever you like.Liam Fay your a joke.
I thought Humbug other than Cornerstone was poor but I really think they redeemed themselves with Suck It And See. The best thing they've released since Whatever People Say I Am. A real return to lyrical form for Alex Turner.
Everyone is entitled to their opinions but music is subjective. Arctic Monkeys not flicking your bean anymore? Thank them for the memories and move on.
I love all of Arctic Monkeys albums, to varying degrees, but since Humbug came out I've honestly never understood people making such a fuss about their first two albums supposedly being much better. It just seems like people are ignoring or glossing over the flaws of Favourite Worst Nightmare and 'Whatever PEOPLE say I am, that's what I'm not'- FWN is a bit bland, the songs sound kind of droney,the first album is great for what it is (a great first album for a young rock band) but on record the songs make them sound like poor musicians compared to what they've done since. I know it's a cliche, but their sound has matured and developed. If its not to your taste cool, but acting like their newer music is some kind of awful abomination is ridiculous. Almost as ridiculous as my bothering to comment on this lazy article.
It's a brilliant album, certainly in the top three for this year. Very strong song writing and although I like all four albums, this is probably the best so far, Alex Turner is one of the best song writers out there.
Well, this touched a nerve. I partly agree with the article. The last two albums have flown straight over my head. I think the problem with them is that the music is focused on Alex Turners voice, which isn't that good. Don't get me wrong, he is a good singer, just not the best voice. As for the lyrics, I understand that they can't carry on writing about jumping taxi's and prostitutes but then I don't want to hear dribble. Oasis managed to sing about nothing throughout and you found your own meaning to their songs, maybe Arctics should try this. I'm still a massive Arctics fan as I was from the start, I just choose not to listen to their last two albums.
They've let their love of QOTSA dominate their sound? Suck It And See sounds nothing like QOTSA. I think it's their best album yet actually. It's rare these days that a band actually develops their sound in the way AM's have. It's a beautiful, layered album. Try putting some time into really listening to it, instead of thinking "doesn't sound like their first album, must suck". Oh, and a wise man wouldn't put "Josh Homme" and "ruins" in the same sentence.
I personally love Suck it and see and was horrified to read this article, I was even more horrified to see you say Humbug is a better album than SIAS, as theirs only one good song on Humbug, that song being Cornerstone. The first 2 albums were awesome in my opinion and thankfully SIAS has reignited my love for the Monkeys. I will admit there is the odd weak song on the album, but overall it's a lyrical masterpiece.
Whatever you think of the album, you can't write a review this bad. I can accept a subjective review, because ultimately that's what music is. But this is barely descriptive, let alone analytic or contextual, telling us nothing about the album. AND it's WPSIATWIN. I spell it out quite alot.
Clueless cunt
i think we all agree arctic monkeys are the band of our generation, and the author of this review doesn't understand maturing and re-inventing who you are cos yes monkeys are a band but they are also a brand and they need to sell. Four albums all with a WPSIATWIN or FWN lilt to them would have been not true to them, because they are not the four lads wondering the cold lonely streets of yorkshire learning the wise to their street. As a yorkshireman myself if they made all four albums to date about 'Scummy Men' and the 'Roxanne's' it would of somewhat got my goat but they have been and still are the band that are keeping rock'n'roll alive whatever way they decide to do so and depict themselves we should respect it and enjoy it not complain. These are the band of today and make the fucking most of it and not fucking complain - if you want to complain go and listen to someone shit.
Really wish I could be constructive here but it's hard. Would like to say I respect your opinion, but I don't one bit. You sound like like the half arsed music fans who when told that i'm into arctic monkeys reply, "liked their first album but not really into their recent stuff" most of these cretins haven't event listened to humbug and SIAS. The latter is a brilliant album. Different, yes, but completely brilliant To describe Favourite worst nightmare as "hit and miss" is fucking laughable.
How can you say they have become more commercial recently? In case you didn't notice, their first two albums are the ones that spawned chart-topping singles. If anything they have managed to lose the majority of that 'unwashed masses' fanbase. Anyway, I don't really care for your view, since it's obvious from the comments that everyone loved the album. I just wanted to say Humbug was amazing too!
I've always thought they were shite. Just saying, like.
Is this an album review? You never actually talk about the album specifically. Why do you think it's so bad? Use examples. Be a writer.
I'm in my early teens and I have all 4 albums.I know there new album(suck it and see)is different than the last 3 but people complained that the fist 2 were very similar.Also Alex Turner was working separately on other things like "Submarine" sound track.And over the years peoples tastes change.So to sum up what I'm trying to say is it's not a bad album it's different.I do admit you need to listen to it a few times to get into it.
Rock and Roll is full of Bad Wools.
There is clear positive correlation between the drummer's weight gain and how shit their albums have become. I believe a diet is required.
Are you joking? They've changed their style and done whatever they've wanted to do. Not a lot of bands can say that. Humbug was genius. Maybe you need to branch out a bit. Open your ears and turn off your Kasabian CD
liam fay whoever you are, you talk absolute bollocks
As others have said, the Arctics basically wiped out half their fan base with Humbug to create the sound they wanted. Why would they do that then try to appeal to the masses with their latest release. Moron. If you’re going to slate a band at least get the acronym of the album names right W-P-SIATWIN. Interesting how the reviewier doesn’t even make the list of ‘Top 20 Saboteurs’. Not pleasing the ‘unwashed masses’ or the people you work for. Ouch!
Liam Fay, I absolutely dispise you. You don't have a clue at all with what you are saying here. All four albums are amazing plus Alex Turner is a musical genuis. I really think you should be sacked. Idiot
It was so funny to read this review and the comments. You can clearly see that people have their most and least favourite AM albums (WPSIATWIN absolutely blew my mind off and I love the singles from Suck It and See, although I haven't heard the entire thing yet, I wasn't thrilled with FWN though). It's very clear that most people still love them, despite you saying that people feel cheated. Which brings me to my second point - how can you possibly generalise like that? I a big fan of AM and I feel far from slapped in the face. Maybe, but only with good music. And finally, how is their music commercial? Because they appeared on Graham Norton? They appeared on Jools Holand right after WPSIATWIN came out and then did some French shows after FWN. Does that automatically make them sell-outs? OR perhaps they're just trying to make more people aware of their music? All bands want more publicity. And did you really expect them to go back to Sheffield and play bars just in order to be considered indie? With the amount of money they're making, they seem very down-to-earth and they never put their private lives in the spotlight to get exposure instead they do that with their music. Not saying that everything they've done is brilliant but I just couldn't watch you slagging them off like that. They're just moving on to better and bigger things. P.S. Cheers to Bradmeister for pointing it out. Please DO get the name of the album right if you want to write a serious review.
This is quite literally, the worst article I've ever read. Perhaps you should find another profession.
Firstly, humbug is exceptional and filters out all the commercial fans down to the die hard fans. Humbug is amazing, as is suck it and see. The arctic monkeys could have easily reaped two more album likes WPSIATIWIN and FWN but theyve showed variation at the highest quality. Suck it and see it fanstastic. A grower, yes. But listen and you will soon eat your words.
Totally agree, the new music is horrid. I see all the people jump on the popularity bandwagon here. The steady decline is clear, open your eyes and ears. Alex Turner is far better than the recent tripe he's putting out.
I started to get really angry about this article then thought that to be pointless, wasted on a moronic point of view. As others have said, if you didn't like Suck It and See then that is your choice and right, but back it up with reasons why, and don't pretend everyone else should agree. Suck it and See is, in my opinion, the only Arctics album which will be ageless. If you seriously thing lyrics such as those on Love is a Laserquest are "ridiculously bad" I pity for society. In some ways all that Alex Turner was mocking about society on the first two albums comes true if people don't listen to Suck it and See properly. It proves his point.
Just who do you think you are Fay! I am just speechless reading this, I am deeply offended. I dont think I will ever be able to listen to them again without thinking of this stupid review, or whatever it is!......."aged like cheap milk....I hope you age like a rotten corpse. Go and listen to Justin Bieber, Kelly Clarkson and The Wanted! And stay away from real music you big dumpty!
Wakey.wakey ! this is how it always works.You get a young band who make a good record,they make that first record unbound by any legal or contractual obligation,this will be the last piece of work that has any real integrity as,once they are signed on the back of this 'great,original' debut,the investor says "more of the same,please".Look at Joy Division,the first album was like little else before it,yet by the 2nd record,they were Genesis.It seems par for the course that the 'art' means nothing,and musicians fall down the same old road of supply and demand.In effect creating unchallenging product and ditching the essence of what got them noticed in the first place,originality. Tom Waites seems to be one of the few who have gotten round this and remains 'uncompromising'-not my cup of tea,but well done to him....er Van Morrison ?
Crazy article, first album was gold usually always is with bands. But you cannot keep reffereing back to that.... Their best album to date in the eyes (and ears) of the majority of fans ive spoken to is Favourite Worst Nightmare and is one of the only albums I can putin my cd player, hit play and not worry about having to get up to change a sh*tty song thats coming up next. Humbug was hit and miss purely cos they changed their sound. I found it their weakest effort of the 4 so fat but still personally enjoyed it. And as for Suck It and See, they seem to be back to their very best. What a tasty treat that album is
here is a real review http://music.newcity.com/2011/08/01/their-time-why-arctic-monkeys-may-be-the-world%E2%80%99s-best-band/
fuck y'all, they only get better, wpswiatwin was an amazing album, fwn was even better, it took me time to love humbug and then realise that it was better than the other two and suck it and see is just awesome.
To quote a wise man: 'Rock and Roll is full of Bad Wools.'
i totally agree.this is an important article.what it seems is this:the arctic monkeys are in fact lucky "artists" and i belive it is because in their first album (really good) they had the right motivation and the right inspiration (the strokes among others).then?maybe because of being too young, or cultural lacking, they just follow the flow.i mean look at their look!all that changing style means somthing, it means they are not solid.they don't know what they want...the point is that they are now just a commercial product.it's sad because they know it...the music is really shit.save the first album and live in peace.leave this crap for those who drink from their televisions and glossy magazines.anyone who embraces rock und roll, who have listen to the 50s to now sound must agree that there is nothing interesting in these cold monkeys.
Rubbish band, rubbish albums. Never understood the appeal of this over-hyped band. Even their song titles are embarrassing: 'Hellcat Spangled Shalalala', are you kidding me? If this was anyone else they would be mocked. Not too mention that Alex Turner is so far up his own arse he believes the hype.
just because he doesnt write songs for the masses now doesn't mean they are shit, you just need to listen to them more, its art, your not gunna love t the first time you hear it, take in the lyrics, the guitar drums. and the point is, not everyone is going to like it, if they just wrote songs to please people then they would be lying, then they become like mainstream pop acts. They are doing what they want, if you like it cool, if you dont, dont moan because humbug and suck it and see are probably the best albums i have ever heard in my life.
Spot on. Ganfalk is a fanboy teen. Alex is his Beiber.
I can't believe some of these comments! I personally would rather they had 'played it safe' and stayed the same. At least anything they released after FWN would of been bearable to listen to. It seems all these people who are strongly supporting their latest 'work' as apposed to their first two albums, are either not English or have about as much musical taste as the you tube generation. To describe anything they've done since FWN as musical/lyrical genius causes me to both laugh and feel confused about their 'opinion'. I genuinely worry about our future generations, if this low quality of music is being labelled as 'genius' It is painfully obvious to anyone with half a brain cell that they've let the fame go to their head and have taken their foot of the pedal in terms of creativity and passion.
... To williamwiliiam, if humbug and suck it and see are the best two albums you've ever heard in your life, then I assume you've never heard another album. Unbelievable! If you're still in school then fair enough, otherwise you should be embarrassed and ashamed of yourself.
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