James Arden checks out the garage rockers latest album.
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The release of Suck It and See signifies the mid-point in the Arctic Monkeys career and reignites the hype that has encircled them since their teenage years. For most bands, this stage in their career is never achieved. With their innovative and fresh new album the band gain a certain respect for their maturity and success.
As the first track released from the album, ‘Brick by Brick’ slightly holds back on the muddy bass and rhythmic guitar intricacies that the Artic Monkeys are famous for. The energy within the chorus cannot be denied but it remains a shame that this particular track does not live up to expectation, however this is definitely made up for in the remainder of the album. ‘The Hellcat Spangled Shalalala’, despite the unusual title, holds the characteristics to claim that it could be a huge festival anthem. The heavy guitar riffs and the irresistible dirty bass, along with the effective placement of the ‘shalalala’’s create an incredibly captivating song.
‘Don’t Sit Down ‘Cause I’ve Moved Your Chair’ draws attention to Alex Turner’s lyrical genius with comical lines such as ‘go into business with a grizzly bear’. The Strokes reminiscent guitar lines reign throughout a striking chorus that immediately smacks you in the face. ‘Reckless Serenade’ uniquely combines rock and ballad to provide a distinction within the album. The mellow vocals create also add an effective component to the overall sound of this track.
‘Library Pictures’ may need some time dedicated to it before a definite conclusion can be made, but once the full picture is established there is no going back. The well-defined drum line immediately draws your attention to the detail that has built this song. The guitar line slips in with an effective chromatic passage, and with an effective variation in tempo, the song’s success looks very promising. The penultimate track, ‘Suck It and See’ immediately hits you with its prop vibes. The traditional pop harmonies and backing vocals offer a charming contrast to the Arctic Monkeys usual sound.
Inevitably, the Arctic Monkeys don’t particularly care what people think of their work, they create music that they want to make and that is that. This careless charm ultimately works in their favour as they do not hype up future work. They simply allow their fans to make their own judgement. This works perfectly for Suck It and See and poses questions about their future success.
Like This? Try: The Strokes, Jamie T and Kasabian.
I am a massive Arctic Monkeys fan, and have been since before they released their first album. I think that "Suck it and See" is almost the album that the band were trying to create when they wrote Humbug, and where perhaps with that album they went too far away from their older stuff, the new album creates a sort of happy medium between old and new. Also, one song you haven't mentioned is "She's Thunderstorms", which is my favourite off the new album, quality song!
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