Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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23 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Oh how it grows!, August 25, 2009
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.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic, August 27, 2009
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.
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17 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Turn For the Darker and More Subdued, August 25, 2009
Arctic Monkeys blew onto the scene, seemingly out of nowhere, in 2006 with their debut album "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not", becoming the fastest-selling debut in UK history (and ultimately also selling quite well in the US). It was a good album, for sure, but overrated in my opinion. The band quickly released a follow-up album, 2007's "Favourite Worst Nightmare", which I thought was absolutely fantastic (I had it in my Top 3 of the year), even though it was less commercially successful than the first album, both in the UK and here in the US. (The closing track "505" will give you an idea of the new album, incidentally.) The band toured relentlessly and then took its merry time to come back with new material. Now finally comes the hugely anticipated third album. I must admit that I was skeptical when I heard that Josh Homme, Queens of the Stone Age frontman, produced most of the album (I am not a Queens of the Stone Age fan).
It is immediately clear that "Humbug" (10 tracks; 39 min.) is quite the departure from the previous two albums. much darker and more subdued. The album stumbles out of the blocks with a tentative "My Propeller", the weakest track on here, and I generally skip it to be honest. But things perk up after that with "Crying Lightning" (1st UK single), possibly the best song on here, and most reminiscent of the earlier albums. "Dangerous Animals" is quite nice as well, which is followed by a nice ballad "Secret Parade". The middle section of the album brings mostly slower, subdued songs. The band really finds its groove on this album towards the latter part, starting with "Dance Little Liar", setting off a tense and great ending of the album. "Pretty Visitors" is one of the best tracks on here, and the 5+ min. closer "The Jeweller's Hands" caps off the album nicely.
If you are looking for a repeat of the first 2 albums, you will be sorely disappointed. This album is dense but it started to win me over after repeated listening. Arctic Monkeys have moved on, period. Deal with it. I find the comparison with Kings of Leon very telling. After KoL's first two "Southern Strokes" albums, that band came back with an equally darker 3rd album "Because of the Times", telling us the band was going different places (and we now know to what that has lead, with their "Only By the Night" mega-smash album). Having seen Arctic Monkeys in concert a number of times, I also imagine that a number of these seemingly subdued songs will rock hard in concert. The band is visiting Ohio next month, can't wait for that.
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