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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Hot on the heels of their shock UK No. 1 single "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor", Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not confirms Sheffield's Arctic Monkeys as the UK underground's most proselytizing young preachers of the DIY gospel. Marrying nervy, caffeine-and-cigarettes indie clatter to conversational, pretense-free lyrics and the occasional burst of off-the-cuff eloquence ("No time for Montagues or Capulets/Just banging tunes and DJ sets," proffers "Dancefloor"), it's an instant, pulse-racing hit.No question, the Monkeys are more sinners than saints. The opening "The View from the Afternoon" predicts a ruckus with a whole lot more grit than the Kaisers can muster, while on the mellow "Riot Van," a tale of underage drinking and cop-baiting culminates in a messy beating in the back of a station wagon. Look beyond the Arctics' bristly, laddish exterior, however, because it's actually affairs of the heart that comprise this album's secret core: see the sweaty-palmed "Dancing Shoes," bearing testament to the trial of nerves that is pulling in a suburban indie nightclub, or "Mardy Bum"--a tribute to a moody girlfriend that, for all its witty barbs ("I've seen your frown and it's like looking down the barrel of a gun"), is tinted with sweet affection. --Louis Pattison
Product Description
Musically, there are bits of The Stone Roses, "What's The Story Morning Glory", and "Nevermind". As catchy as those reference points are, it's the songwriting that has won the band a fiercely dedicated following; a mix of the observational storytelling of Davies and Weller crossed with the harsher documentary eye of Mike Skinner of The Streets and "Ghost Town" era Specials. Two #1 UK singles. Press already lined up with Rolling Stone, Spin, Entertainment Weekly, and Interview, to name a few. Three more US/Canadian tours planned for this year, including headlining Domino's label showcase at SXSW.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
73 of 87 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The Arctic Monkeys have rocketed to the top of the UK music scene on the basis on a couple of great singles, and when their debut album was released a few weeks ago, it broke the record of the one-week sales. NME declared "Artic Monkeys have delivered a Definitely Maybe" (referring to Oasis' debut album). Not so fast...
"Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not" (13 tracks, 41 min.) brings basically a great bar band delivering mostly up-tempo songs about the life of 19 and 20 yr. olds (which is what the band members are). Track 2 "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor" is the break-out single and an irresitable 3 min. blast of great music. While the first half of the album staggers a bit, the second half truly takes off with the pensive "Riot Van", followed by the best track of all, "Red Light Indicates Doors Are Secured", a slightly reggae-flavored track that delights and delivers. Other stand-outs follow: "Mardy Hum" is a mellow singalong, and "Perhaps Vampires Is A Bit Strong But..." is the meatiest track of all. "When The Sun Goes Down" is the other attention-grabbing single, quite good.
In all, this is quite a good album. But to say that this equals the towering "Definitely Maybe" does disservice to Arctic Monkeys. Let these guys (kids, really) develop and let's see where they go from here.
"Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not" (13 tracks, 41 min.) brings basically a great bar band delivering mostly up-tempo songs about the life of 19 and 20 yr. olds (which is what the band members are). Track 2 "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor" is the break-out single and an irresitable 3 min. blast of great music. While the first half of the album staggers a bit, the second half truly takes off with the pensive "Riot Van", followed by the best track of all, "Red Light Indicates Doors Are Secured", a slightly reggae-flavored track that delights and delivers. Other stand-outs follow: "Mardy Hum" is a mellow singalong, and "Perhaps Vampires Is A Bit Strong But..." is the meatiest track of all. "When The Sun Goes Down" is the other attention-grabbing single, quite good.
In all, this is quite a good album. But to say that this equals the towering "Definitely Maybe" does disservice to Arctic Monkeys. Let these guys (kids, really) develop and let's see where they go from here.
38 of 44 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
By now you have heard about the Sheffield, Britain Arctic Monkeys unless you have been living under a rock. They had the quickest selling debut CD in the U.K. They are storming the world right now and are the next big thing. How did this all start? They played amazing live shows and the crowd felt a strong presence and they created a small fan base. Quietly the band spread throughout the U.K. through word of mouth. Next they handed out demo's and hosted songs on myspace. Next thing you know, they are being hyped as the next Beatles!!! (Fame wise, not musically!)
First they started out with a catchy single "I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor" to get they're name out and just show that they can plain rock out. Next they release "When The Sun Comes Down" to show they can play a different type of song. That quickly hit #1 in the U.K. charts and soon enough everyone in the world practically heard about Alex Turner's Arctic Monkeys. 2 band members are only 19 years old (Matt Helders, Andy Nicholson) only lead singer and guitars Alex Turner (band leader and writer), and guitarist Jamie Cook is 20.
This CD is one of the greatest albums that I have heard in a long time. Now, may in be something totally unique and experimental like the Flaming Lips? No, but it does what it wants to. Just plain rock out and create songs that people can just enjoy and dance to. There are tons and tons of potential hits in the US such as I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor, Fake Tales Of San Fransico, Still Take You Home, Mardy Bum, Perhaps Vampires Is A Bit Strong, When The Sun Goes Down....etc.
The best songs on the album, or the strongest IMO are The View From The Afternoon, and A Certain Romance. They are just the strongest lyrically and strongest structured.
The Arctic Monkeys just won best British Breakthrough Act at the Brits Awards. There is no weak song on the album, you may even find that the songs that aren't getting much play may end up being a personal favorite to you. Ignore the hype for 40 minutes and just decide for yourself and enjoy the biggest new band in the world. Believe the hype, the Arctic Monkeys are fianlly here.
First they started out with a catchy single "I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor" to get they're name out and just show that they can plain rock out. Next they release "When The Sun Comes Down" to show they can play a different type of song. That quickly hit #1 in the U.K. charts and soon enough everyone in the world practically heard about Alex Turner's Arctic Monkeys. 2 band members are only 19 years old (Matt Helders, Andy Nicholson) only lead singer and guitars Alex Turner (band leader and writer), and guitarist Jamie Cook is 20.
This CD is one of the greatest albums that I have heard in a long time. Now, may in be something totally unique and experimental like the Flaming Lips? No, but it does what it wants to. Just plain rock out and create songs that people can just enjoy and dance to. There are tons and tons of potential hits in the US such as I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor, Fake Tales Of San Fransico, Still Take You Home, Mardy Bum, Perhaps Vampires Is A Bit Strong, When The Sun Goes Down....etc.
The best songs on the album, or the strongest IMO are The View From The Afternoon, and A Certain Romance. They are just the strongest lyrically and strongest structured.
The Arctic Monkeys just won best British Breakthrough Act at the Brits Awards. There is no weak song on the album, you may even find that the songs that aren't getting much play may end up being a personal favorite to you. Ignore the hype for 40 minutes and just decide for yourself and enjoy the biggest new band in the world. Believe the hype, the Arctic Monkeys are fianlly here.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not (Domino, 2006)
Review By Timothy Cunningham
Taken as a whole, the Arctic Monkeys' debut, Whatever People Say I am, That's What I'm Not, is really nothing new. Loud guitars, fast paced singing, and smacking drums adorn most of the album. What really makes this album so great? It has energy and lots of it.
The album starts off with The View From The Afternoon, easily one of the best songs on the album. Switching between fast punk rock and mid-tempo pop, the song conveys a vivid sense of emotion and craziness in search for love in pubs. The second song, I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor, further expands on this topic. You've had a few at the local tavern and that girl you've had your eyes on the whole night is eyeing you up. She notices you looking at her and she looks away. "I wish you'd stop ignoring me, because it's sending me to despair / without a sound yeah you're calling me, and I don't think it's very fair." Or maybe not? "And oh there ain't no love no, Montagues or Capulets / Just banging tunes `n' DJ set `n' / Dirty dancefloors and dreams of naughtiness." I mean c'mon. How can a song with lyrics like that not be great? Following that is Fakes Tales of San Francisco, a song about British bands trying to sound American. Then back to being infatuated in a pub or club - Dancing Shoes fits the bill. Insanely catchy, it puts to the forefront lead singer and guitarist Alex Turner's great voice. You can only guess what it's about. Building on the merits of the first song, You Probably Couldn't See For The Lights But You Were Looking Straight At Me shows the drumming and backup vocal skills of Matt Helders. The song whips by in a flash. Literally, it really does. Next, Still Take You Home. Yeah, it's about that chick that is oh-so-hot but as dumb as a board. And, why not? Well, that's what Alex says! A nice punk rock song with a nice instrumental bit near the end. The Monkeys slow it down, just for a moment, with Riot Van. Not my favorite, but a song that suggests that they're not just a punk rock band. It's about the days long ago and squabbles with the police. Red Light Indicates Doors Are Secured comes up next and boy it is secure. It has one of the catchiest riffs on the record. Like most of the songs on the album, it flies by at a frenetic pace.
The Arctic Monkeys once again switch tempo with Mardy Bum. Alex's voice really shines here, though early recorded demo versions are far superior. What the hell is Perhaps Vampires Is A Bit Strong But... about? I have no clue. But the song is pure punk rock. With lyrics like, "Cause all you people are vampires / And all your stories are stale / And though you pretend to stand by us / I know you're certain we'll fail," how can they fail? A jab at the older generation, always questioning what the younger generation is doing or will be doing? A jab at establishment or the music industry in general? When The Sun Goes Down begins with a nice melodic guitar, but soon explodes into a single note rock masterpiece. From The Ritz To The Rubble begins with a rap-rock tale of girlfriends, beer, and bouncers - once again a killer ending riff. The album concludes quite calmly (after a hard rock intro) with A Certain Romance, the longest track on the album. "And over there there's broken bones / There's only music, so that there's new ringtones / And it don't take no Sherlock Holmes / To see it's a little different around here."
What separates this band from many of their contemporaries is a lyrical wittiness and lightning fast vocal delivery from songwriter and guitarist Alex Turner. Filling out the line up is bassist Andy Nicholson and guitarist Jamie Cook. Whatever People Say I am, That's What I'm not is quite a debut from these 19 and 20 somethings from England. They sure are in love with long titles!
Review By Timothy Cunningham
Taken as a whole, the Arctic Monkeys' debut, Whatever People Say I am, That's What I'm Not, is really nothing new. Loud guitars, fast paced singing, and smacking drums adorn most of the album. What really makes this album so great? It has energy and lots of it.
The album starts off with The View From The Afternoon, easily one of the best songs on the album. Switching between fast punk rock and mid-tempo pop, the song conveys a vivid sense of emotion and craziness in search for love in pubs. The second song, I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor, further expands on this topic. You've had a few at the local tavern and that girl you've had your eyes on the whole night is eyeing you up. She notices you looking at her and she looks away. "I wish you'd stop ignoring me, because it's sending me to despair / without a sound yeah you're calling me, and I don't think it's very fair." Or maybe not? "And oh there ain't no love no, Montagues or Capulets / Just banging tunes `n' DJ set `n' / Dirty dancefloors and dreams of naughtiness." I mean c'mon. How can a song with lyrics like that not be great? Following that is Fakes Tales of San Francisco, a song about British bands trying to sound American. Then back to being infatuated in a pub or club - Dancing Shoes fits the bill. Insanely catchy, it puts to the forefront lead singer and guitarist Alex Turner's great voice. You can only guess what it's about. Building on the merits of the first song, You Probably Couldn't See For The Lights But You Were Looking Straight At Me shows the drumming and backup vocal skills of Matt Helders. The song whips by in a flash. Literally, it really does. Next, Still Take You Home. Yeah, it's about that chick that is oh-so-hot but as dumb as a board. And, why not? Well, that's what Alex says! A nice punk rock song with a nice instrumental bit near the end. The Monkeys slow it down, just for a moment, with Riot Van. Not my favorite, but a song that suggests that they're not just a punk rock band. It's about the days long ago and squabbles with the police. Red Light Indicates Doors Are Secured comes up next and boy it is secure. It has one of the catchiest riffs on the record. Like most of the songs on the album, it flies by at a frenetic pace.
The Arctic Monkeys once again switch tempo with Mardy Bum. Alex's voice really shines here, though early recorded demo versions are far superior. What the hell is Perhaps Vampires Is A Bit Strong But... about? I have no clue. But the song is pure punk rock. With lyrics like, "Cause all you people are vampires / And all your stories are stale / And though you pretend to stand by us / I know you're certain we'll fail," how can they fail? A jab at the older generation, always questioning what the younger generation is doing or will be doing? A jab at establishment or the music industry in general? When The Sun Goes Down begins with a nice melodic guitar, but soon explodes into a single note rock masterpiece. From The Ritz To The Rubble begins with a rap-rock tale of girlfriends, beer, and bouncers - once again a killer ending riff. The album concludes quite calmly (after a hard rock intro) with A Certain Romance, the longest track on the album. "And over there there's broken bones / There's only music, so that there's new ringtones / And it don't take no Sherlock Holmes / To see it's a little different around here."
What separates this band from many of their contemporaries is a lyrical wittiness and lightning fast vocal delivery from songwriter and guitarist Alex Turner. Filling out the line up is bassist Andy Nicholson and guitarist Jamie Cook. Whatever People Say I am, That's What I'm not is quite a debut from these 19 and 20 somethings from England. They sure are in love with long titles!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love it
I love this CD and listen to it all the time, came quicly and have no complaints at all here.
Published 4 days ago by Kelly A Kolp
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the greatest debut albums in history!!!!!!
Arctic Monkeys are British rascals that like to play loud and fast and that's why I love them!!!! For this being their first album is mind blowing. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Nick
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good through and through
One of my favorite cds to play over and over. I never get tired of it, A. Turner has such a good voice, great album.
Published 2 months ago by detainee
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Album
It was shipped to me from overseas which took a long time, but it was worth the wait. Great album at a reasonable price.
Published 2 months ago by Laker Fan #1,004,948,362,274,380
5.0 out of 5 stars
This album has my favorite track of all time.
My favorite song, is Mardy Bum. I love to listen to the Arctic Monkeys all the time. They have a great beat, and Alex has a nice voice. Read more
Published 3 months ago by alex
5.0 out of 5 stars
LOVE the arctic monkeys!!
I have been listening to the Arctic Monkeys for a few years now and love almost everyone of their songs, and buying this album made me find even more songs that i was not aware... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Michael
5.0 out of 5 stars
Insane guitar work
Best Arctic Monkeys album ever. Buy it! Later albums don't live up to standard set here and got more experimental.
Published 3 months ago by Leadfoot
5.0 out of 5 stars
Arrived on Time
It was packaged super nicely, arrived on time, sounds amazing, was a perfect birthday gift for my love. Very good gift.
Published 5 months ago by hotshotdebater
5.0 out of 5 stars
I can't say enough good things about this album
I have one and only one complaint about this album: it has one song on it that I don't like all that much. That's it. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Yusei
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic Album
Vinyl was in incredible condition. The sleeve was a bit bent but nothing major. Sound is fantastic and I enjoy every second of it!!
Published 7 months ago by Jillian
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