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

Arctic Monkeys

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 21, 2006)
• Original Release Date: February 21, 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Domino
• ASIN: B000E1155E
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (209 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,699 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  #69 in	Music > Indie Music > Rock
  #99 in	Music > Alternative Rock > Indie & Lo-Fi > Indie Rock

Editorial Reviews

From Amazon.co.uk

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

68 of 79 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Overhyped by the UK press but still pretty good, March 3, 2006

By	Paul Allaer (Cincinnati) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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.

32 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best new band in ages, Believe The Hype!, February 21, 2006

By	Willie Oliver (New York) - See all my reviews

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.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars When you were 19, what were you doing?, December 10, 2006

By	L. Huskey "LHHGBH" (J-ville, FL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The title says it all.. When I was 19 I was doing things up, not caring about much and doing what I could to get laid.. Now look at these lads at 19 and you can see that for their age, this album rocks!!! They show vast maturity and song writing excellence that sometimes is lacking from some of our most eldest of pop stars.. They are no nonsense, lyrical, tempo driven, musicians who have a knack for making good songs that are well crafted and easy to listen to and like within one listen.. There is so much crap out there today that is so overdone (can someone please stick a fork in grunge wannabes please?) that its really refreshing to see a band come along that is unique with a unique sound and most important, voice.. Alex Turners voice is a welcome change from the Puddle of Mud and Kurt Cobain wanna-bes out there.. Even some of the would-be children of the 80's are sounding repetitive.. Give this album a whirl, and recognize it for what it is.. Its NEW Sounding Music that you can dig from the start.. Its not more of the same.. Dont Stay the Course like we did with the elections of 2004.. Take your taste to a new direction and it just might change your life... At least it will enhance it...