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Third albums are usually the albums where if you've made it big as a band, you tend to experiment to create a new, break away from the old, kind of sound. Most bands tend to fail and end up having to return to their old sound which made them millions of dollars and fans. Arguably, Oasis failed with 'Be Here Now', The Strokes failed with 'First Impressions' and some might say Interpol failed with 'Our Love To Admire'.
However some bands succeed. For example, The Clash succeeded with 'London Calling', The White Stripes succeeded with 'White Blood Cells', Nirvana were successful with 'In Utero' and Radiohead made 'OK Computer'. Enough said.
Well another musically genius like band, Arctic Monkeys, led by young mastermind Alex Turner, have released their third album 'Humbug'. Facing the third album blues, Alex and co. invited Josh Homme of Queens of The Stone Age (another genius) to help produce the album. On first listen, it seems like Josh is playing big brother to Alex. However, Homme doesn't actually assert any authority, instead he allows the band to be as weird, dark and inventive as humanly possible. It's not an easy first listen, but if you understand that Alex Turner is a gifted, talented musician, then you will give it a few listens in a row and will truly appreciate it.
Forget any thoughts of Arctic Monkeys' two previous albums, for this is different. Starting with 'My Propeller', this first track sets the mood early with its murky tone. 'Crying Lightning', the lead single off the album, sounds like a typical Arctic Monkeys tune but in a more gloomy sense. After a few listens to the song, it actually becomes quite addictive. It's fitting that on the next song Alex yells out "D-A-N-G-E-R-O-U-S", knowing that this album could be dangerous to their career because more than likely it won't be attracting any news fans. On 'Secret Door', Alex's swooning, dazzling voice pops up when he sings "fools on parade" over and over again.
Bypassing a couple of stoner type tracks, including one which features the vocals of Allison Mossheart from The Kills ('Fire and The Thud'), we get to 'Cornerstone'. It's not as darkly dense as the rest of the gnarled 'Humbug', making it among one the better songs on the album. Adding to the better songs on the album is 'Pretty Visitors' which is by far one of the band's most noticeable songs. That's because it sounds like it could've been off one of their previous albums thanks mainly to the hard, fast-paced firm melodies you can hear. This one will surely make any of their previous fans happy again.
We thought we'd end this review with an excerpt from The Guardian because it is exactly how we feel. "'Humbug' the work of a band with enough nous to realise they will never again be what they once were: a phenomenal success that temporarily unites everyone from people who buy LPs in Tesco to rock hacks. Once you understand that, the choice is simple. You can either keep chasing an elusive past, relying on your fans' nostalgia, or you can press on, keeping your gaze fixed forward. The first option is easier, but 'Humbug' admirably takes the second, with a confidence that suggests that if their days at the eye of the storm are behind them, Arctic Monkeys' best might be yet to come."
Rating: 8/10
--- Contributed by Jase S.
However some bands succeed. For example, The Clash succeeded with 'London Calling', The White Stripes succeeded with 'White Blood Cells', Nirvana were successful with 'In Utero' and Radiohead made 'OK Computer'. Enough said.
Well another musically genius like band, Arctic Monkeys, led by young mastermind Alex Turner, have released their third album 'Humbug'. Facing the third album blues, Alex and co. invited Josh Homme of Queens of The Stone Age (another genius) to help produce the album. On first listen, it seems like Josh is playing big brother to Alex. However, Homme doesn't actually assert any authority, instead he allows the band to be as weird, dark and inventive as humanly possible. It's not an easy first listen, but if you understand that Alex Turner is a gifted, talented musician, then you will give it a few listens in a row and will truly appreciate it.
Forget any thoughts of Arctic Monkeys' two previous albums, for this is different. Starting with 'My Propeller', this first track sets the mood early with its murky tone. 'Crying Lightning', the lead single off the album, sounds like a typical Arctic Monkeys tune but in a more gloomy sense. After a few listens to the song, it actually becomes quite addictive. It's fitting that on the next song Alex yells out "D-A-N-G-E-R-O-U-S", knowing that this album could be dangerous to their career because more than likely it won't be attracting any news fans. On 'Secret Door', Alex's swooning, dazzling voice pops up when he sings "fools on parade" over and over again.
Bypassing a couple of stoner type tracks, including one which features the vocals of Allison Mossheart from The Kills ('Fire and The Thud'), we get to 'Cornerstone'. It's not as darkly dense as the rest of the gnarled 'Humbug', making it among one the better songs on the album. Adding to the better songs on the album is 'Pretty Visitors' which is by far one of the band's most noticeable songs. That's because it sounds like it could've been off one of their previous albums thanks mainly to the hard, fast-paced firm melodies you can hear. This one will surely make any of their previous fans happy again.
We thought we'd end this review with an excerpt from The Guardian because it is exactly how we feel. "'Humbug' the work of a band with enough nous to realise they will never again be what they once were: a phenomenal success that temporarily unites everyone from people who buy LPs in Tesco to rock hacks. Once you understand that, the choice is simple. You can either keep chasing an elusive past, relying on your fans' nostalgia, or you can press on, keeping your gaze fixed forward. The first option is easier, but 'Humbug' admirably takes the second, with a confidence that suggests that if their days at the eye of the storm are behind them, Arctic Monkeys' best might be yet to come."
Rating: 8/10
--- Contributed by Jase S.
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