Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am That's What I'm Not [Digipak] (CD 2006)

Do you like Oasis, The Kaiser Chiefs, Hard-Fi or The Foo Fighters?

If the answer is "yes", there's a good chance you'll like the Arctic Monkeys and this album. That's not to say these guys sound the same as any of those groups. In fact, they have their own unique style!

The album is mixed with guitar rock, interesting lyrics and the now unmistakable northern voice of group frontman Alex Turner. The tempo of their music is often adjusted with a sudden break in their songs.

As well as containing the now well-known number ones, 'I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor' and 'When The Sun Goes Down', there are other top tracks like 'Fake Tales Of San Fransisco', 'Dancing Shoes' and 'A Certain Romance' that'll keep you amused as you listen over and over again.

The album is well worth listening to and will make you smile as you listen to the lyrics. Hopefully this is just the tip of the iceberg and a sign of great things to come. Enjoy!!

Wayne
24 Hour Shopaholics (eBay shop)

Considering these guys were still playing down their local pub 2 years ago this is a great achievement, give a big middle finger to the recording industry by buying this album and show them that sharing on the internet is a good thing as this is what got the Arctic Monkeys where they are today.

The songs are great, nothing groundbreaking granted but if you are looking for something as upbeat and great to listen to as Oasis. Get This!

album of the year also just toped the ablum and single charts 11/01/06 and broke all UK records doing it with most sales for a debut album! well done !

I cant understand all the hype ! Fastest selling album ever? The new gods of rock n roll.. am i dreaming ? "pinch" "pinch" nope not dreaming . but once i listened to this album i wish i had been. Its quite simply extreemly poor. They have little talent.. No song writing abilities, infact most of the lyrics are laughable and not in the good sense.

If you like Oasis. Kaiser chiefs and others . i suggest u stick them on instead .Cause these arent a touch on any of them.
If you really have to listen to it.. id borrow a friends and save your money . cause u can atleast give it back once you realise how dreadful they are :) And save your pennies for a btter one..

have fun folks ! :o)

Caught a sample on their website and wasn't sure what the fuss was about. Got hold of the album and found a fresh and amusing peice of work.

Lots of the references in the songs are to places in and around the bands hometown of Sheffield. If you can remember the subtle mix of fear and anticipation of a Saturday night, then you will prabably be able to 'experience' this album as well as listen to it.

Works for me.

What a Brilliant album! These boys really don't belive the hype!
What a Brilliant album! These boys really don't belive the hype!

With the hype machine in full swing, its probably going to be somewhat difficult to find an objective review, but to be fair, this album is the business! So what of the comparissons that you've probably come across - The Kinks, The Specials, The Stone Roses or The Libertines? All could apply, but only really in terms of the Arctic Monkeys being a great British band. Most comparissons are simply cases of lazy referencing because besides the obvious, the album has a depth of style and sounds which takes in influences such as Nirvana and the Pixies, so don't worry about an American audience having to 'get' another quirky Limey band - this record is musically accessable to anyone whether they be in LA, New York or Kuala Lumpur. While its not the most original thing you've ever heard, somehow it comes across that way, and that's what makes the band so special.

What also makes the band so distinct is that the massive things they've achieved in a few short months has been done on thier own terms, no huge record company marketing strategy, just pure word of mouth, which in this day and age seems almost impossible. No way are you going to see this band on Saturday Night Live or Leno - they are just interested in letting the music do the talking. Everything you've read about this record is true and then some! Instead of waiting for massive MTV rotation, just go out and buy the album and make you're own mind up - you will not be disappointed.

Whilst the sounds of the album are hardly groundbreaking for me it is the maturity of the lyrics and the musical production that makes this such a compelling debut. For a bunch of 19 year olds to have layered together so many facets of humdrum life is a joy, but the ways in which this is shared with the listener is wondorus. Some songs kick start with a bang, whilst others tip toe up on you and then rob your whilst you're looking the other way. Close your eyes and scrunch up your fists - I am confident that you won't be able to avoid falling head first into the urban culture that the Monkey's are so obviously steeped in. It is quite a day trip.

I often wonder how Arctic monkeys managed to slip through the Indie net and into mainstream pop music. This album doesn't really offer any clues, either. The album as a whole is relatively good, but it doesn't always deserve the media hype that still seems to surround it. As many Indie fans will know the album isn't any better than that of many other bands in the same genre at the moment. Bloc Party's 'Silent Alarm', or Maximo Park's 'A Certain Trigger' are both as a whole as good as the 'Whatever people say i am, that's what i'm not', yet somehow Arctic monkeys have all the attention.
As a whole, the album has some good tracks (Fake tales of san francisco, when the sun goes down, for example), but other tracks seem to be lacking in a quality that you would expect such a hyped band to have. If you forget everything that people say about the arctic monkeys, and listen to it as an individual record, it is good enough, but i think people have been largely conned into thinking that they are much better than they are.
Listen to The Rakes instead.

Wasn't sure who they were at first being a little ignorant to this kind of indie (is that what it is?) music but bought the album as soon as it came out for my boyfriend as he rambles on about them. Had a listen last night and was hooked after the first track!
Brilliant lyrics and the guys voice sounds great, his accent really suits the music and the rest of the band! There will be at least one song on here that you can relate to, apparently 'Mardy bum' reminds my boyfriend of me, charming! (That is another great song though!) I listened to the whole album without skipping one track last night and again this morning, in fact I have it on repeat, and there are very few albums I can say that about!
Buy it, it's brilliant! Happy listening!

Fantastic album, really great tracks including I bet that you look good on the dancefloor and when the sun goes down which both took the number one spot in the charts!

If you like brit pop/mod rock (that kinda stuff) then this is a must have. I like blur, oasis, gorillaz, the subways, franz ferdinand and kaiser chiefs. This one cannot be missed out! Totally 100% recommended. Hope this review helps out a bit!

absolutely bloody fantastic,,, smirked all way through it ... everyone buy it... best cd i have bought in a long time... GOOD ON YER LADS... 10/10. CANT WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE XXX

I first heard about these boys when they shot from nowhereness to number 1. I thought if they can achieve something like that, they must be good. So I took a listen to I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor, and I thought it was alright. Nothing more than that. But then I started listening more and more, and whenever I heard that song on the radio or TV, I got chills. I realised it was an excellent song. I started downloading more of their songs off the internet, and every song was getting better and better, until it got to the point where I realised that this band could just overtake Oasis' title for my favourite band ever, and that they have. The lyrics are magic, the tunes are amazing, and the album should be HAILED! If you have bought the album definitely skip to From The Ritz To The Rubble, in my opinion that is the best song in the world, ever, ever ever. These boys are going to be so big, hold onto your hats!

This album is like nothing I have heard for a very long time bit only for one reason, the singer’s voice.
As with most of the new over hyped "talent" a distinctive lead vocal seems to be a sure fire hit these days even with a serious lack of creativity.
But doesn't he sound like George Formby?
The tracks kick in and all sounds fair but come the voice all I can think of is a banjo and a cheery "when I'm cleaning windows" blaring out at me.
I’ve heard people talk about the good lyrics on this album but surely it is the music that is the most important part? I primarily listen to the song writing and melody way before I consider how good the poet is.

Conclusion, widely appreciated but in 6 months time I bet the album will be covered in dust never to see the CD played again. A timeless classic it is not but a bit of fun for today? Its ok but nothing to get excited about.

Really not struck by this album, cant see what all the fuss is about prefer many others, like Hard-Fi...

This album is fantastic, this is one of the best albums ive heard for ages. its worth buying you wont be able to stop playing it!!

This band can go places, and in my opinion "I Bet that you look good..." Is already the biggest Rock hit of 2006. The Arctic's are one of these bands i fail to see how people can not like them, or at least admire their raw sound. You dont get too many bands quite as good as the arctic's any more, caring more for music then fame, and it's good to see them doing so well!

Well done for a fabulous album!

Artic Monkeys are a indie band and is an amazing album. There are 13 tracks in total on the disc with the big hits "I bet that you look good on the dance floor" and " when the sun goes down" plus " A cirtain romance.

I would recomend it to anyone.

Bought the album on its release day. Long awaited it was too. It's been played non-stop in my car since! Personally I think their music is fresh and exciting. However I’ve heard people comparing and predicting them to The Beatles, not necessarily with the music genre but more where they're from and their sudden burst of fame. I don't know how true that is but I do hope their music lasts a little longer than other artists these days. It's spectacular music in a superb album.

Titles on Disc 1
1.: View From The Afternoon
2.: I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor
3.: Fake Tales Of San Francisco
4.: Dancing Shoes
5.: You Probably Couldn't See For The Lights But You Were Starin
6.: Still Take You Home
7.: Riot Van
8.: Red Light Indicates Doors Are Secured
9.: Mardy Bum
10.: Perhaps Vampires Is A Bit Strong But...
11.: When The Sun Goes Down
12.: From The Ritz To The Rubble
13.: Certain Romance

Brought it on the release day. Is one of the best albums ive brought in a long time. Went to see them at Nottinghams Rock City on 13th of April and certainly wasn't dissapointed! Includes all the great singles and theres a real personal feel to the whole album.

The arctic monkeys are a good band but they are too over hyped and are becoming a pop act created by the media. Threr are some good tunes. riot van stands out for me.

The debut album from the Arctic Monkeys is a fresh new addition to the british charts.

If one thing is wrong with it, it's quite samey.
But still recommended.