"Get off the bandwagon! Put down the handbook!" Arctic Monkeys singer Alex Turner chants in "Fake Tales of San Francisco," unveiling the British sensation's success secrets in a handy, easy-to-remember sing-along.
See, it's not that the Arctic Monkeys are doing anything revolutionary on their debut, "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not" (Domino). We've heard roaring guitars and snarling singers before.
What makes everyone go bananas for the Arctic Monkeys is how they take stock pieces - Smiths jangling, Oasis disdain, Clash-like protest - and assemble them in a way that sounds completely different. For example, their first single, "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor," a raucous rocker that hooks you immediately, opens with a guitar solo - a no-no that most record company and radio execs would have removed straight off, no matter how well it works.
Lucky for them (and us), the Arctic Monkeys had already built a massive fan base for the songs on the Internet before they signed their record deal - holding enough sway to keep the unorthodox alt-rock intact. The fuzzed-out "Perhaps Vampires Is a Bit Strong But ..." bounds between ZZ Top Texas boogie and scratch-guitar funk. The current single "When the Sun Goes Down," the band's second British No. 1, starts out with jazz-lounge guitar before doing an about-face into mysterious dance rock.
Turner's tales of fake-tan girls and bored boys looking for trouble manage to surprise with their intricate details and plot twists, made all the more effective by the band's musical zig-zags. But it's Jamie King's unpredictable guitar work that makes the Arctic Monkeys the stuff of indie-rock dreams, that rare British Next Big Thing that actually lives up to its hype. (Grade: A)
Comments (13)
I have to say, I just saw the Arctic Monkeys last night. They're incredible live- even better than recorded.
Like me- Major fan of Arctic Monkeys. Hopefully i'll get a chance to hear them live! Heard they're outstanding. Got a t-shirt and everything! Love em' they're officially the best band ever!
i think the arctic monkeys are great i wud love to see them live.
what a great band! Arctic Monkeys has no bigger fan than me!
off to see the monkeys in cardiff on wednesday cant wait bring on the arctic monkeys yeah
I LOVE THEM! there so good at glastonbury! i wanna see u live! woooh
Went to see them on wednesday in cardiff, they were GREAT!! that great in fact that i'm off to see them in manchester in july!!! :)
They are the best band in the world.There music is awsome and different to everyone elses music.
i couldnt see them live GUTTED i want to see them so bad though they are awsome!!
lead singer Alex Turner awsome =] x
Nice music they make, pretty sensational.
Hello I am French.I love Arctic Monkeys !!!! I speek little English ^^.
I am 12. Continuer comme ca.
Goodbye
I've seen they live and they are really great!!
I know this is an old article, but still.. Jamie King? It's Cook! Horrible mistake.
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