Whatever You Think This Is, That's What It Is

Like the title? Well, if you do, you're sure to like the title of the album being reviewed here- Arctic Monkey's debut album "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not."

I have to say, I do love the Arctic Monkeys. They've got that energy you can also find in artists like Panic At The Disco, The Fratellis (before they broke up) and The Strokes. This music makes me want to dance in my chair and slaps a smile on my face.

This album, which I will label from now on as "Whatever People Say...", is one so close to to be an album I love to love. Right now that spot is reserved by both Vampire Weekend albums, the first two All-American Rejects albums, Coldplay's last two albums, too many Beatles albums to name, The Fratellis debut album, too many John Mayer albums to name, and Mika's "Life In Cartoon Motion". Basically, I love all the songs on all of these albums, and that's no easy thing for me to do. But I got really, really close with this album.

My favourite on this album was "Mardy Bum", which never became a single but I wish it had. It's leaking with all the good stuff we music people love. The guitar riffs catch you right in the beginning of the song and as soon as you hear lead vocalist Alex Turner's beautiful British voice come through your speakers you melt where you stand. The song is poetry, a tale of misfortune and the not so nice side of people. Another favourite of mine is "You Probably Couldn't See for the Lights but You Were Staring Straight at Me". Whoo, that is a mouthful! Truthfully, I couldn't understand half of what Turner was saying over guitarist Jamie Cook and drummer Matt Helders, but I looked up the lyrics later so all was well.

My other favourite on "Whatever People Say..." happened to be the last song- "A Certain Romance". This song grabbed my attention from a very good book and was so good I had to listen again.

I am not exactly sure of which songs Raivynn was digging, but I know she liked "Mardy Bum" and I think she liked their hit off that album, "I Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor".

I wasn't really into the song "Fake Tales of San Franciso." It didn't reach that level of good the other songs on this album reached. But even this song wasn't that bad.

I'm always split with bands like this. Bands that are so good you want them to be popular so everyone can hear their music, but you also want them to stay slightly unknown because you see their goodness when no one else does and that makes you feel special.

This album is great and I recommend it to all and everyone. It's definitely one for the books and I can't imagine a greater album to get a band off the ground and onto the charts.

Whitni

PS- This extra little part is just for the chickas reading this blog. I don't know about you girls, but it never hurts when a band is not only good, but the members aren't so bad-looking either. If you don't know what I mean, take one good look at Alex Turner.



PPS- Before hearing and reviewing this album I had only heard one notable song from the Arctic Monkeys. It's called "Fluorescent Adolescent" and it's off the album "Favourite Worst Nightmare". This is one amazing song and happens to be in my latest top ten, along with "Yellow" by Coldplay, "Hey Ma" by Cam'ron and "Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)" by Shakira. Check it out!