Arctic Monkeys
Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not

THE REVIEW

Debut album of the Sheffield band, England, from 2006, received recognition from both Rolling Stone (and I don't know if that's much of a compliment) and NME. The four English lads, who had already impressed enthusiasts with some singles released before the album, do not disappoint.

"The View From The Afternoon" opens the album and immediately introduces us to a fast rhythm, not very indie, almost more punk-rock, but Alex's voice takes us back to the indie world. Not bad as an opening track! I recommend searching for the video of this song on YouTube, live at the Apollo, with extraordinary multi-camera shots of Matt Helders, the Arctic drummer. Something that can seriously make you faint!

In second place, we find the beautiful "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor", with an incessant rhythm at the start, a nice drum part (Agile Beast = Matt Helders NEVER disappoints), and an initial guitar solo by Alex. Then the rhythm slows down in the verse but picks up speed in the chorus. Engaging. Definitely "dancefloor" material.

Third track: "Fake Tales of San Francisco" - perhaps one of the most well-known Arctic songs, even to those not in the know. Of simple execution (I think it's one of the most covered songs nowadays, a sort of modern "Blitzkrieg Pop"), sometimes a bit bland (see the second verse with that incessant guitar passage from the 5th to 7th fret that seems like a litany) but catchy and with a nice bass line.

"Dancing Shoes" holds back at first with good palm-muting and an almost tribal rhythm, then unleashes in the second verse and opens completely to the audience. I would like to point out the difference in execution of this and many other songs (even from other albums) from the official album to the demo. Interesting.

"You Probably Couldn't See For The Lights But You Were Staring Straight At Me" in fifth place, with its lengthy title, still offers a nice rhythm and a truly interesting voice from Alex, but certainly not the best track on the album.

However, "Still Take You Home" is wonderful, with another frenetic start but not faltering even in the verse. It wanes a bit after the brief solo (the woo ooh oooh part for clarification), but let's give Alex a breather! The album version is very nice, but the live version from the "Live at the Apollo - Manchester" concert deserves a mention: a sing-along moment. "Oh you don't know nothing no!"

"Riot Van" is a song I would definitely call indie. I don't know why, but it's the feeling I get when I hear it. A decidedly calm start, without drums, with this quite effected voice, a bit offbeat, then the bass drum and hi-hat timidly make their way in, but always in the background, as Turner's voice is the absolute master. Slow, an indie ballad.

Follows "Red Light Indicates Doors Are Secured", modest, with this bass line that repeats continuously, almost trance-like, until the chorus and then returns the same. Good on first listen, a bit boring after 4 years of listening!

Credit to "Mardy Bum", a song I particularly love, it starts with a brief solo by Alex. Who knows how many girls have identified with Mardy...!

"Perhaps Vampires Is A Bit Strong But.." isn't bad, a bit of effects for both guitar and voice, it has an almost syncopated rhythm (Helders is divine, but there's no need to keep saying it!) XD

Then comes "When the Sun Goes Down". It surprises us as it starts quietly, with this "scummy man", without drums, and nice chord transitions and climbing up the neck at the end, then it breaks into an extraordinary rhythm we never would have expected at the start (but we're talking Arctic Monkeys here, we can't start with preconceptions!). Scream the chorus! Then it closes as it began, quiet again.

"From the Ritz to the Rubble", second to last track, starts out almost unfriendly, again just guitar and voice, then the group's rhythm part comes in, and the song begins to take shape. At first it seemed almost senseless, but at the chorus you understand that it all makes sense! "Too deep but how deep is too deep" is particularly beautiful. And I particularly like the second verse (note that the backing vocals are often Matt's, this awesome drummer).

The album closes (and what a closure!) with the 5.31 minutes of "A Certain Romance", introduced by a fantastic drum rhythm to which the guitar then joins, only after the first minute does the bass and finally at minute 1.19 does the voice make its appearance. We are immersed in a calm rhythm (almost reggae if you will) where Alex's voice and the guitar part blend perfectly. The solo part is great, where some previously suppressed power explodes. A song I personally adore.

So we've finished listening to and analyzing the first album of the 4 English indie artists, to be listened to again, savored and, why not, played!