Customer Reviews

Humbug

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

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

The Arctic Monkeys aren't kids anymore. The mere need for speed no longer thrills the way it used to, and their third album is a darker, more complex batch of songs than anything they've ever attempted. Stone Age Queen Josh Homme may have pushed the band in this direction, but since some of the songs on Favourite Worst Nightmare seemed to me to already be moving towards the dark, I suspect a natural progression.

In many ways, "Humbug" reminds me of The Undertones' as they progressed to their Positive Touch album. The bands both started out as hyper-adolescent punkier outfits, with their lyrical sights set on teen girls and gear (Mars Bars to Nikes), and both sounded like a group that could have only formed in a British DiY environment. While their fans might have wanted the Monkeys to do songs like "I Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor" forever, band leader Alex Turner appears to be tired of the form. So he minor-keys it, slows the pace down (allowing drummer Matt Helders room to show off) and allows his voice to flow like an instrument.

That makes songs like "Propeller" sound almost menacing. Or let the hook in the first single, "Crying Lightning," evolve out from the song instead of sledgehammering you. Or to experiment with textures, like the backwards guitar on "Cornerstone." With "Humbug," the Arctic Monkeys prove once and for all that they're a three dimensional act, and will outlast the hype that swept them to their original stardom.

The clever thoughtful lyrics remain, but musically HUMBUG seems trapped. The title "The Fire and The Thud" sums up my feelings about the first 6 cuts. The sound in the first half of the CD repeats itself ad nauseum, bass and drums in a depressing combo that drags down everything else into the same muddled and unpleasant sound. When you finally get a break on songs like "Cornerstone" it`s a welcome respite from a very dismal sound. Finally the lighter and more musical touch of their previous work makes an appearance. While I think it's important for a band to continue to evolve, I much preferred the balanced approach of the first CD to this one. The last few cuts make this much more palatable, but I still find myself less than inclined to give HUMBUG the multiple plays that WHATEVER PEOPLE SAY got.

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.

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???

I liked the first two albums by Arctic Monkeys, but I don't agree at all with the people who like those two better than this one. Those are fast and energetic, while this is intricate, melodic, and much more mature. I like this and Turner's work with Last Shadow Puppets more than the previous AM albums. Go new Arctic Monkeys!

And I like Queens of the Stone Age, so that's good for me. Except it's a wee bit fuzzier, and more varying drums, which must have been a signal of the monkeys rebelling back on the east coast in production. But it's not really a Monkeys sound. It doesn't pump me up, I don't go gaga over their down-home Sheffield-boy touch and I am no longer charmed by their adolescent erratic energy.

I will probably no longer listen to them while driving to get friends to do stupid teen things with. With this album, I will listen to them when writing long English essays or while ruminating and attempting to intellectualize a Bergman film. It doesn't feel like rebellion, see, it feels like understanding and reluctantly getting along with pretty significant efficiency but tinged melancholy. Everyone's right, they grew up.

And what the hell is up with the Amazon album bio thing? The only reason I'm even writing a review is to complain about that.

And the chorus of that Secret door song sounds very similar to something else I've heard. Something brit-popish, and I will find it and get back to you all on that.