The Cold Cut

It was pretty obvious at the end of 'Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not', that the Arctic Monkeys were going to have a really hard time topping the critical acclaim of their debut album. But needless to say, they went away for a year and a few months, and they have released a fantastically different album that defies the common mantra that 'second albums are always rubbish'. I can honestly say that this album is better than the first; Alex Turner's lyrics are as sharp as ever, and the skill of the band on their respective instruments have increased hugely. Matt Helders, the drummer, in particular has obviously been working hard; the drumming on this album is off the map. This is obvious on the excellent single and first track 'Brianstorm', which features the first real contribution from the new bassist, Nick O' Malley. This track is great, and seems to get better with every play: first impressions weren't great, but after a few plays, it matches 'I Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor' for a first single, if being a lot heavier, meaner and faster.

The sound of the new album is more varied than their debut; there are much heavier tracks such as 'D Is For Dangerous', which has a rampaging joint vocal and rhythm between Turner and Helders, who has a good voice in his own right. These songs are contrasted by the more low-key songs like 'Only One Who Knows' which has only Turner's Vocal and Jamie Cook's accompanying guitar. The best song of the album, though, is 'Fluorescent Adolescent', a song which may be the 'Mardy Bum' of this album, a quieter song which still steals the album from the more 'exciting' tracks which include 'Teddy Picker' a loud, in your face track which suitably follows 'Brianstorm'. 'Teddy Picker' is about the celebrity of Hollywood; it seems like that this album focusses on the experiences this band has had since they were thrust into stardom. Whereas the first album focussed on the experiences they had in the Sheffield borough of High Green, this album is really the band, and Turner in particular, coming to turns with their new celebrity.

I have to say, I was worried that once all the hype surrounding the first album had died down and the internet distribution fad had died out, that the Arctic Monkeys would struggle to retain their audience. I'm really glad to see that they have written an excellent new album, which whilst different, wont change people's opinion that this is one of the best contemporary guitar bands the UK has ever seen.

Here is one of the great song off this album, Teddy Picker. If you like it, head over to iTunes or Play.com to get the album.

Arctic Monkeys- Teddy Picker