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

THE REVIEW

The Arctic Monkeys are an English group that won a Brit Awards for best new group. They are a debut group but very talented, making a somewhat grown-up kid rock. The album "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not"  is a childlike rock album, a rock by kids who make rock for themselves and not for the media.
It starts at full speed with "View from the Afternoon", a track where the drums go all out followed by a guitar that goes wherever it pleases and a rather metal-ish bass. The album continues with "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor", a real anthem that topped the charts in England for a long time. It is an easily catchy song, very fast where the words flow like butter, and they build the instrumental base, made of a bass that runs and doesn't stop, quite established drums, and a guitar that allows itself a very beautiful solo at the beginning, and at certain points, picks up the pace.
The third song is "Fake Tales of San Francisco", very catchy, with a very recognizable instrumental base, always made of bass and drums with hints of electric guitar. The chorus "Kick me out! Kick me out!" is a wonderful example of youthful anger, then the song enters a very fast section with a mix of bass and guitar that intertwine and make a mess. It all concludes with a slow and sweet guitar. "Dancing Shoes" is a dance track with bass and drums in the first part, then comes the guitar at full speed with a recognizable melody. The guitar hits everyone at a minute and thirty-five and then the very recognizable melody starts again. Meanwhile, the singer goes wild, screaming like a madman.
"You Probably Couldn't See for the Lights but You Were Staring Straight at Me" is the fastest track on the album. The drums are crazy, the guitar plays small repeated chords, and the bass pushes everything to the extreme. The fast singing makes you jump up and scream nonsense for no reason. The next song is very similar but much slower. "Still Take You Home" draws its strength from the bass at the beginning and from the catchy chorus. Always remember the presence of a wild drum that never stops for a moment. The bass slows down the song for a moment to catch its breath and then it starts again.
The ballad of the album is "Riot Van", quite slow with an excellent guitar, a (miraculously) slowed-down drum and a bass that sets the pace. At a minute and thirty-five, a small very nice instrumental piece starts, but it lasts too short. "Red Light Indicates Doors Are Secured" is a run towards the exit. The bass sets the rules with a very catchy melody that continues for the entire time. The chorus is characterized by a guitar that goes off on its own and a very charming little choir. The bass stops for a moment, the drums take on a hammering rhythm and the guitar starts. "Mardy Bum" is a fast-paced ballad characterized by a guitar that sets the rules with a very catchy melody, a slow drum that increases and accompanies you sweetly. The bass goes with the drums until the chorus where the voice sets the rules followed by drums and bass. Just before the two minutes there's a very recognizable hammering piece. The album continues with the same speed, hammering bass-drums and guitar that follows at an exaggerated speed. The album ends with "A Certain Romance" with changes à la "Bohemian Rhapsody". There's a lot of drums, wild as usual, bass very driven by the drums, perhaps too much, and a guitar that sets the rules.

In conclusion, I would say that it's a homogeneous album that follows a certain order (drums leading, bass following the drums and independent guitar) but manages to always be innovative in mixing instrumental roles and sometimes reversing them. A great debut album that paves the way for a great career.