Arctic Monkeys
Favourite Worst Nightmare

THE REVIEW

2006 was their year, and their album "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not" was the fastest-selling debut in history, as well as a great success. How much of it was genuinely good (given the easy excitement of the British "specialized" press)? Well, let's see; a handful of objectively stunning tracks ("The View From The Afternoon" -above all-, "Fake Tales Of San Francisco", "I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor", "Dancing Shoes", "Mardy Bum"), some just about sufficient ("Riot Van"), and a bit of meaningless stuff ("Red Lights Indicate Doors Are Secured", "Perhaps Vampires...", "A Certain Romance").

Now, the English lads try again after just over a year with an album baptized (with a good deal of courage, considering the easy jokes that could arise) "Favourite Worst Nightmare". But will it really be your worst nightmare? Yes, if you want to see brit rock only hanging from the Union Jack. For others, here inside there's a handful of catchy rock 'n’ roll tunes that can, depending, entertain, but also bore.

Belonging to the first category are definitely "This House Is A Circus", the best track of the new work, based on a frantic and effective melodic line, very, very energetic. Even "The Bad Thing" can get the less picky tapping, but it winks more at the Arctic Monkeys’ production that looks more at indie-rock. "Brianstorm", the first carefree single, is the ideal bridge with the previous album, while the subsequent "Teddy Picker" (a good track too) looks to the '80s planting a blatant quote of "Save A Prayer" by Duran Duran ("save it 'til the morning after..."). "D Is For Dangerous" tries to reprise the trademark but doesn't convince, not like "Balaclava" which, with its seeming like twelve songs in one, ends up drawing a smile of approval. "Fluorescent Adolescent", the new single, represents the pop interlude of the album together with "Only Ones Who Know"; the latter convinces more (based only on guitar and voice, a new "Riot Van" if you will), also because the former is yes more supported but the melodic line seems too little spontaneous. "Do Me A Favour" is impalpable (why not include the collaboration with Dizzee Rascal in the album?), "If You Were There, Beware" with its relaxed rhythm shuffles the deck a little. Closing are "Old Yellow Bricks" (excellent, very danceable but very pleasant and not at all tacky) and "505", very close to the very early Stereophonics.

No miracles, mind you, but a handful of fresh and fun songs that neither add nor take away from the current rock panorama. If they are a real phenomenon, we will see. This is what, for now, the little monkeys offer us.