Hey it's Arctic Monkeys. Can't see these guys catching on with their uneasy alliance of very obviously British lyrical obsessions and highly polished modern US rock sounds. Josh Homme had a big hand in the production and it's not hard to tell that they're massive fans since the singer dude spends half the album doing his best vocal impression and the guitarist dude is constantly wonking up his solos is a total QOTSA style.. It seems obvious they view Homme's stuff as some sort of model for what they'd like to become since there's a clear attempt here to mature into a Proper Grown Up band with more mysterious, seductively 'adult' themes but whether it actually works for them or not is pretty debatable. I always thought they were pretty good at what they did but after a decent start on Humbug it all gets a bit flat and forgettable to be quite honest.. Along with the opening track, 'Crying Lightning' is the standout so if you weren't into that you're shit out of luck.
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Sound clips for Humbug by Arctic Monkeys: on CD at Norman Records UK. CD, Domino, WIGCD220, £10.09.
Arctic Monkeys’ third album is ready to further consolidate them as one of the greatest young bands on the planet.
Arctic Monkeys new album ‘Humbug’, which was produced by Josh Homme in the Mojave desert and by James Ford in Brooklyn, showcases a brooding and majestic new sound for the band.
Early feedback has been amazing and the track ‘Crying Lightning’ went straight into the National Chart at number 12, on downloads alone.
The CD will be beautifully packaged in card gatefold and the LP will also be in a gatefold sleeve.
