Arctic Monkeys - Favourite Worst Nightmare
(2007)

Review by Chris Wood

With all the perks of releasing the fastest selling album of all time in British Chart history - and winning prestigious awards and critical acclaim - with their everyday Mike Skinner-esqe lyrical aptitudes, the Arctic Monkeys would not have been looking forward to the inevitable second album duties looming on the horizon.

Much to their credit, the follow up effort in "Favourite Worst Nightmare" does not appear to suffer from the dreaded (and highly contagious) second album syndrome. In fact, they seem to have suitably silenced all the critics who were dubbing them as the latest-blown-way-out-proportion-by-NME-band, who often cited that they had the shelf life of a bottle of milk that had been left out in the sun. 

Although not able to match up to the sheer brilliance of their unfathomably near perfect debut, "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not", the current effort stands as a reminder of why we fell in love with these four scruffy Sheffeild-ians in the first place, while giving us some new ideas to ponder at the same time.

Opening track and first single, Brianstorm, is a dark and seemingly heavier endeavour than our attentive ears would have us remember. Upon hearing it for the first time, I could not help but be reminded of Muse' Stockholm Syndrome, particularly during the thunderous tom rolls of the introduction. However, while we're sitting there thinking to ourselves that these guys have lost the true 'Arctic' sound that made them famous in the beginning, we are hit with the familiar distorted-twang of the Stratcaster. Something that has become so paramount to the Arctic Monkeys sound.

To those fellow guitar aficionado’s dismay, project two from the Arctic Monkeys brings with it once again the over-use of hyper-annoyingly simplified guitar riffs, played with a hyper-annoying simplified technique. At times this can be quite frustrating on the ear, as it resembles the rudimentary production levels of an angst-ridden teenager on his shitty four-track. I acknowledge that this is quite possibly the foundation of the Arctic Monkeys sound - but seriously guys - quit stuffing around and learn how to play those things! It can't hurt.

The release of "Favourite Worst Nightmare" also marks the Arctic Monkeys' monumental discovery of guitar effects. Regardless of the fact that these sonic transformations pale in comparison to the technological wizardry of bands like Pink Floyed and Sonic Youth, the important thing to focus on here is that they are willing to progress their sound and concept. It is as though these lads have discovered an untapped bastion of mixing-pavement-like guitar murmurs with strongly appointed Sheffield accents. Strange that no one picked up on it sooner.

Teddy Pickers and Do Me A Favour take a while to find their place, but soon develop into not only catchy pop-ditties, but songs that showcase development also - brooding honesty with lyrics like:

'Who'd want to be king of the people/When there's people like you in Teddy Pickers'.

Only Ones Who Know taps into the poignant reflective aesthetic we heard in Riot Van on "Whatever People Say I Am". It also is brilliant in showcasing front man Alex Turners' pop-ballad sensibilities once again, his depth of emotive song writing is enough to prompt any moderate fan of the AM's to lick their lips in eager anticipation; the whole time not worrying about whether or not they ever set venture back into the world of spasmodic dance-rock tunes.

The most likely to be next single award (if it isn't already) has to go to the dazzling pop-charmer Fluorescent Adolescent. If anything on this album is going to get people worldwide humming a tune in their head while they're out putting the washing on the line, you would suspect this would be the one to do it.

One of the more captivating songs on the album (If You Were There, Beware) promises a much darker and most neglected side of the Arctic Monkeys thus far. Yet, it doesn't quite deliver. With eerie background screeches and a Beatles-inspired solo voice waver over the raucous bridge wig-out, a feeling that these guys are onto something big is not unfounded. Closing two-chord epic 505 is a beautiful depiction of the fame-loneliness dichotomy, and the inevitable sense of despondency.

Fully aware that I'll probably piss off a few other hard-core Libertines fans, my initial assertions that Alex Turner is broaching Pete Dougherty territory only seem to be supported by the Arctic Monkeys sophomore release. Not to say that they are there yet. But they are well on their way. What they lack in technical proficiency they more than make up for with Alex Turner's lyrical ability. 

Despite not being the overnight phenomenon like it's predecessor, "Favourite Worst Nightmare" is definitely a considerable leap forward musically. Just wait until Alex Turner begins shouting 'Up The Bracket' and has a relationship with an exotic super-model of yester-year. Then I'll be proven right. And all the nay-sayers will be proven wrong. Just you wait!!!

RATING: 4 out of 5