Humbug

It didn't take long for the multi-award winning Arctic Monkeys to become fan favourites on the indie party scene. Over the past few years, the four lads from Sheffield have taken over the world's stages, hit after hit.

Their 2006 debut album, 'Whatever People Say I am, That's What I'm Not' was the fastest-selling album in UK history. Their second album, 'Favourite Worst Nightmare' sold over 225,000 copies in its first week. When fans found out there was something new on the way, the anticipation was feverous. 'Humbug' has to be one of the most highly anticipated releases of 2009, barring this year's rather disappointing Muse offering.

Well, you'll be happy to know that it's all still there. Alex Turner's thick accent, the fast beats and catchy tunes, the typical Arctic Monkeys riffs. If this is how you know and love the band, then go on and skip straight to number three, 'Dangerous Animals'. However, if you want to hear something a little different, start at number one and work your way through what is to be a softer, more melodic and lyrically profound Arctic Monkeys journey.

With a great mixture of beats and breaks, 'My Propeller' sets the listener up for the rest of the album perfectly. Moving on to the first single, the dirty bass-oriented 'Crying Lightning', it becomes clear that the band were looking to evolve with the release of this album. From the head-banging 'Pretty Visitors' to the raw 'Potion Approaching', the magical lyrics heard in 'The Jeweller's Hands' to the upcoming single, 'Cornerstone', Arctic Monkeys have taken their familiar party-party sound and transformed it into a surprisingly innovative and sound musical package.

Yes, there may be fewer let's-hit-the-dance floor hits. They've taken it down a notch, and mixed it up a bit, but they've still managed to keep 'Humbug' inherently Arctic Monkeys. Whoever said this was yet another over-hyped British band should be feeling a bit sheepish right about now. Put plainly: 'Humbug' is musical brilliance.

Humbug Put simply, Arctic Monkeys' highly anticipated third studio album is musical brilliance.

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