Humbug

Arctic Monkeys | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 25, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Domino
• ASIN: B002EWD08Q
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (52 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,396 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

'Humbug,' the 3rd album from Sheffield's Arctic Monkeys finds the band brimming with vim, vigor and new ideas. They brought in a new production accomplice, Josh Homme, for some of the recording. He generously hosted and produced tracks with them at his Joshua Tree studio. Then they rejoined forces with James Ford, producer of the previous 2 Arctic Monkeys and Last Shadow Puppets albums, in Brooklyn, NY to complete the tracks that became 'Humbug.' The album is stunning set of songs both heavier and lush than previous albums but still full of the Monkeys usual punch and vitality.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic August 27, 2009

By Joseph

Format:Audio CD

Into a new studio in the desert after 2 years, the AMs team with Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age) in the producers chair to deliver another great album, possibly their best to date. The lyric style and subjects remain the same but the delivery and musical envelope have matured and expanded adding weight and a welcome breath of unpredictability. Judging by the quality of the song writing, the AMs could've easily tossed off another record like their debut or FWN, but instead they take more of a "been there done that" approach and explore other influences and moods to expand their sound. The result is unmistakably AMs, but indeed the Hommes' influence is heard and it works very well. The album is a fantastic grower that over time reveals judicious sonic layering, some of their strongest melodies, interesting and less typical beats, and overall more ambitious song execution. Simultaneously haunting and jubilant the AMs have hit their third album on the head; a challenge always more difficult after avoiding the sophomore slump, which of course they did with flying colors.

32 of 43 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Oh how it grows! August 25, 2009

By Lukasz Gilewski

Format:Audio CD

At first this album seems too slow and different to be appreciated as much as the previous two efforts. However, after 2 or 3 listens it really becomes a fantastic display of Arctic Monkeys' incredible musical talent. This album creeps up on you and eventually you start playing the songs over and over in your head just like all the other Arctic Monkeys songs to date. Though at first it may seem void of hooks or energy on second, third, fourth listen it is clearly there and as good as ever.

Track 1. My Propeller: Fantastic opener. Starts out slow and builds up to a fantastic climax, setting the tone for the rest of the album. The drums are catchy and the lyrics as good as ever. 4.5/5
Track 2. Crying Lightning: Everyone knows enough about this song already, it's good. 5/5
Track 3. Dangerous Animals: This song took me a couple listens to enjoy but the drums that kick in towards the final third of the song really seal the deal for me. It's a lot catchier than it seems at first and is one of the stand out tracks in my opinion. 5/5
Track 4. Secret Door: Seems to be an early favorite among the fans. Unlike most of the other songs on "Humbug", this one starts out with lots of energy and a great full sound and then builds down to a surprisingly catchy hook. 5/5
Track 5. Potion Approaching: Probably one of the least radio friendly songs on the album, still has a very full sound and grows on you after a few listens. 4/5
Track 6. Fire and the Thud: Amazing atmosphere in this song, and a very subtle build towards the end. This one is DEFINITELY a grower, you may disregard it at first but, trust me, that's a mistake. Beautiful work. 5/5
Track 7. Cornerstone: Another early fan favorite, easy to sing along too, somewhat reminiscent of Fluorescent Adolescent, Mardy Bum, etc.... 4.5/5
Track 8. Dance Little Liar: A lot like Fire and the Thud in that it may be discarded upon the first two listens or so but this song has a very subtle build up again and after a few listens is one of my favorite tracks. 5/5
Track 9. Pretty Visitors: Amazing drums, purely amazing. The lyrics are insane and somewhat incoherent but the song has all the kick of previous AM tracks and more. Great energy on this track. 5/5
Track 10. Jeweller's Hands: Good song to end on, grows on you just like the entire album. Not as good as 505 or A Certain Romance but still a great way to end it. 4.5/5

The music is still very rich and the lyrics are certainly daring. Great Album. Overall, I give it a 9.5/10. Read more ›

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Walking down a darker path... August 25, 2009

By Nse Ette TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Audio CD

Heavy and dark best describes the Arctic Monkeys new sound on their third CD. Despite their protestations to the contrary, they sound more mature and fans of their previously more frenetic fare ("I bet you look good on the dancefloor", "Brianstorm" to mention a few) may be sorely disappointed. It falls somewhere between the Arctic Monkeys sound of old and lead vocalist Alex Turner's more symphonic side project Last Shadow Puppets.

The CD comprises just 10 tracks, opening with "My propeller" which finds Alex Turner practically crooning to a gently rocking backdrop. "My propeller won't spin/and I can't get it started on my own/when are you arriving".

Lead-off single "Crying lightning" is filled with crunchy riffs and chiming guitars and should be a favourite of fans of their old sound. Lovely!

Other standouts are the stomping "Secret door" (with a nice acoustic intro), the sombre "The fire and the thud", the charming chiming ballad "Cornerstone" (about picking up girls in pubs), the beautiful ambient "Dance little liar", "Pretty visitors" (filled with angular guitars and irregular drum patterns, the closest to their old sound), and closing "The jeweller's hands" (sounding like some score to some suspense movie, with a swirling psychedelic-sounding coda, think "505" from "Favourite worst nightmare").

Their lyrics, as usual, tell fabulous stories; "The inevitables gather to push you around/Any old voice makes a punishing sound/He became laughter's assassin/Shortly after he showed you what it was" from "The jeweller's hands".

This album is edgy and experimental, and I'm glad to see Turner and the lads not content to remain in their comfort zone. A grower, but one that richly rewards at the end.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Mmmmmmm... so good April 25, 2011

By burgundeejones

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I can't help but think this is one of the best CD's ever... Mmmmmm magical music tasties for my ears... I can listen to it over and over and over. I love all of their other musical work too and I must say I don't which album I like better: Humbug or Whatever People Say???

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Lifts you up February 7, 2010

By Anthony Rupert

Format:Audio CD

Although Arctic Monkeys are superstars in their native England, here in the states it seems that they'll only be known for "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor", despite a Saturday Night Live appearance. At any rate, their first two albums are classics in my book, so I had no trouble picking up their latest album, Humbug.

Some people might not realize this is an Arctic Monkeys album right away, however. Not that the style sounds any different (a little of a surprise, considering it was mostly produced by Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme), but Alex's voice has obviously changed between the releases of Favourite Worst Nightmare and this album because he's singing in a lower register. But the songs still stand out. I wasn't as excited about "Crying Lightning" as everyone else simply because I don't think it makes much sense, but there are better songs like "Potion Approaching", "My Propeller" and the necessary end-of-album mellow song, "The Jeweller's Hands". And the spelling-out-the-title vibe of "Dangerous Animals" actually works quite well.

My only other real concern is that "now you're hiding in my soup" line in "Fire and the Thud". But that kind of thing is easily ignored. While not a classic album like their first two, Humbug should have you saying everything but.

Anthony Rupert