... The debut album really was a hit but how could they follow that up? Well this week has seen the release of the follow up, Favourite Worst Nightmare. The obvious doubts have been there about whether they would be a one record wonder or whether they had a little more substance to their musical ... Read review
What to do if your first record becomes the fastest-selling album in UK chart history? If ... more
you're the Arctic Monkeys, you don't sweat it you just swagger back with a follow-up,Favourite Worst Nightmare, that pulls the same old tricks with a few new twi...
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What to do if your first record becomes the fastest-selling album in UK chart history? If ... more
you're the Arctic Monkeys, you don't sweat it you just swagger back with a follow-up,Favourite Worst Nightmare, that pulls the same old tricks with a few new twi...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
What to do if your first record becomes the fastest-selling album in UK chart history? If ... more
you're the Arctic Monkeys, you don't sweat it you just swagger back with a follow-up, Favourite Worst Nightmare, that pulls the same old tricks with a few new tw...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
What to do if your first record becomes the fastest-selling album in UK chart history? If ... more
you're the Arctic Monkeys, you don't sweat it you just swagger back with a follow-up, Favourite Worst Nightmare, that pulls the same old tricks with a few new tw...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
What to do if your first record becomes the fastest-selling album in UK chart history? If ... more
you're the Arctic Monkeys, you don't sweat it you just swagger back with a follow-up, Favourite Worst Nightmare, that pulls the same old tricks with a few new twists. But even as "Balaclava" and "Do Me A Favour" bandy along with that familiar mix of provincial Everyman lingo, spat rap cadence, and scuzzy guitars, Favourite Worst Nightmare is shot through with the prevailing feeling this is the sound of consolidation, not retread. So, what's new? Well, there's evidence of a heavier edge here lead-off single "Brianstorm" veritably tears along, all galloping drums, strafing guitar lines and blistering bons mots: "Can't take my eyes off yer T-shirt and tie combination," spits Alex Turner, "Well see ya later, innovator". Like the White Stripes, though, Arctic Monkeys invest their cranked garage with splashes of melodic invention see how "If You Were There" veers between jerky riffs and Hall Of Mirrors weirdness. And it doesn't let up from beginning 'til end or at least 'til the closing "505", a departure lounge lament that's downbeat and tired, like conquering the world finally took its toll. --Louis Pattison
Postage & Packaging:Free! Availability:Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
What to do if your first record becomes the fastest-selling album in UK chart history? If ... more
you're the Arctic Monkeys, you don't sweat it you just swagger back with a follow-up,Favourite Worst Nightmare, that pulls the same old tricks with a few new twists. But even as "Balaclava" and "Do Me A Favour" bandy along with that familiar mix of provincial Everyman lingo, spat rap cadence, and scuzzy guitars,Favourite Worst Nightmareis shot through with the prevailing feeling this is the sound of consolidation, not retread. So, what's new? Well, there's evidence of a heavier edge here lead-off single "Brianstorm" veritably tears along, all galloping drums, strafing guitar lines and blistering bons mots: "Can't take my eyes off yer T-shirt and tie combination," spits Alex Turner, "Well see ya later, innovator". Like the White Stripes, though, Arctic Monkeys invest their cranked garage with splashes of melodic invention see how "If You Were There" veers between jerky riffs and Hall Of Mirrors weirdness. And it doesn't let up from beginning 'til end or at least 'til the closing "505", a departure lounge lament that's downbeat and tired, like conquering the world finally took its toll.--Louis Pattison
Postage & Packaging:£1.21 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: An excellent follow up to an amazing debut, a more mayture sound Disadvantages: None at all
...release of the follow up, Favourite Worst Nightmare. The obvious doubts have been there about whether they would be a one record wonder or whether they had a little more substance to their musical ability. So having pre ordered this album weeks ago it finally arrived on Monday giving me a chance to answer the questions I had.
Obviously the band have moved on from the place they were at whilst writing the debut. The last year has really ... ...to kick it off. My favourite track has changed quite a bit since I got the album but at the moment I would have to say that “This House Is a Circus” tops the list.
It’s quite a fast paced track that really pulls no punches. It starts off at a gentler pace but very quickly the pace picks up with a good combination of guitars, bass and drums. It’s a subtle start that really turns into a roaring track that really sums up the album as ... more
They arrived on the music scene with a huge groundswell that seen them record one of the fastest selling debut albums of all time. The internet buzz about the Arctic Monkeys for the year before that release was huge. The debut album really was a hit but how could they follow that up? Well this week has seen the release of the follow up, Favourite Worst Nightmare. The obvious doubts have been there about whether they would be a one record wonder or whether they had a little more substance to their musical ability. So having pre ordered this album weeks ago it finally arrived on Monday giving me a chance to answer the questions I had.
Obviously the band have moved on from the place they were at whilst writing the debut. The last year has really matured the band and that is evident in the Sheffield 4 piece’s music. A small line up change also seems to have had a slight impact on the bands sound. The album was put together in an East London studio under the watchful eye of new “rave” producer James Ford. From the moment the track starts it is obvious that the Arctic’s have matured a bit and changed direction. The album appears to have a heavier edge to it than the previous number.
The album still seems to be in a way the same as the previous album but on the whole there are a couple of songs on the last album that seem to be from the same vein as the majority of this. If you enjoyed “From Ritz to the Rubble” or “View from the Afternoon” from the debut album then this album is on the surface more of that type of track. Under the surface thought the album is a lot deeper and seems to hold a lot of hidden meaning and passion that really reflects through within the music and vocals.
Of course for Turner and Co this is probably just another days work. They seem to make songs like these sound so easy and laid back. It’s clear though that the experiences of the last year have really made a good impression on the band. This album is far louder and faster than the previous one, with the guitars really leading the way, to the point where a number of the tracks are quite in your face. The bass backs them up well and the drum beat in the background gives the guitars a sense of direction and purpose.
Likewise Turner has moved on in his ability to write songs. Ok from the first few listens I didn’t find as many of the tracks to be as catchy as those on the debut, but I think given time they will become just as memorable. Turner seems to but a lot of feeling into his lyrics and that reflects through his vocals as well. Again like everything on this album he seems to have matured in ever aspect and I think it’s that factor that has meant I actually like this album more than the debut.
Having now listened to the album countless times there are a few tracks that really stood out. The first single from the album “Brainstorm” had made an impact on me from the first time I heard it on the radio. It contributes to quite a frantic and awkward start to the album, but as it turns out it’s an excellent way to kick it off. My favourite track has changed quite a bit since I got the album but at the moment I would have to say that “This House Is a Circus” tops the list.
It’s quite a fast paced track that really pulls no punches. It starts off at a gentler pace but very quickly the pace picks up with a good combination of guitars, bass and drums. It’s a subtle start that really turns into a roaring track that really sums up the album as a whole. There are a couple of slower tracks and it’s clear that “Only Ones Who Know” will take a lot of listening to grow on you but it is a track that will through time be just as easy to listen to as the rest of the album.
Overall I have to admit to being pleasantly surprised by the Arctic Monkeys second album. I was a little worried it wouldn’t live up to the first album but this more mature effort from the Monkeys has really caught my attention. It goes to prove that the band have some sustenance and will be around for a long time to come. If you’ve been enjoying the debut album for the last year or so then you will love this follow up. Likewise if you aren’t one of the people who made their debut the fastest selling debut album in UK chart history this may have something a little different for you. Either way just buy this record!!
Advantages: An awesome follow-up album Disadvantages: Disadvantages?!
...that it regular says “Your favourite worst nightmare”) and again shows a dark side to the band that ultimately wasn’t there eighteen months ago…oh and they’ve thrown in a couple more swear words into the lyrics just to prove that point!
Along with “Balaclava”, the opening four tracks show without question that the band have come along louder, harder and faster than before, yet still been able to perfect what they were good at during “Whatever People ... ...put everyday speech into a cracking rhythm, and generally good rock music.
Then comes along “Fluorescent Adolescent” – a song seemingly along the lines of “Mardy Bum” from the debut album; quieter and along an acoustic line yet the kind of song that’ll get 70,000 people chanting away at festivals during the summer.
“Only Ones Who Know” then shows a mellower, matured side to the Arctic Monkeys and everything they’ve shown before. Emotional music ...
carl.mcqueen 08.07.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Favourite Worst Nightmare - Arctic Monkeys
Advantages: The last 3 songs Disadvantages: Everything else is average
On the back of "Whatever People Say I Am, I'm Not" which included the monster smash of last years "I bet you look good (on the dance floor)" the Arctic monkeys gained a mass following in the UK. This following lead to them smashing records for fast selling debut album and most songs in the top 200 (a pretty artificial record for now I feel) and on the back of this hype I went out and bought this album.
Sadly I feel they mistitled the albu, and it ... ...Hypemare", but hey it'll make a good birthday present for someone I presume. Now if you look in the media as a whole they seem to be rating the Arctic Monkeys as the best thing in music since the guitar was invented, this generations beatles or Oasis if you would.
I'll start the review the casing, a "3-part-card-fold-out-thingy" a random inlay booklet with pointless and irrelavant pictures and the only details are on the back of the book. A song ...
iamasadlittleboy 30.04.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Favourite Worst Nightmare - Arctic Monkeys
Advantages: A couple of pretty decent tracks, stylistically not a bad album. Disadvantages: The tracks are often incredibly lacklustre, the music lacks passion.
When your debut album sells as well as the Arctic Monkeys did; you're always going to have problems when it comes to album number two, particularly when your first studio album is incredibly over-hyped and over-praised. 'Favourite Worst Nightmare' is the second studio album from the Arctic Monkeys and was released through Domino Records in April 2007. The Arctic Monkeys debut album is pretty good; I'll give the band that, it's still not great though, ... ...as good as the first. It's an okay album, nothing greater than average however and listening to 'Favourite Worst Nightmare' provides for a really rather bland overall listening experience. There are twelve tracks present here and I'd say that the Arctic Monkeys is here slightly greater than average at best, and horribly boring at worst.
There are some decent enough tracks present here, 'Brianstorm' kicks the album off well for instance, 'Teddy Picker' ...
RazzaLazza 04.09.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Favourite Worst Nightmare - Arctic Monkeys
Advantages: Monster guitars and involving lyrics Disadvantages: Not enough tracks!
Arctic Monkeys are definitely not the average indie guitar band, for a number of reasons. Firstly, they were so sought after before they had even released an album that their live shows sold out in minutes, with tickets being touted on eBay for hundreds of pounds each. Secondly, upon its arrival, debut album “Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not” became the fastest selling debut album in U.K chart history. And now we have a third point to ... ...to its massive anticipation, it completely obliterates it.
There had been a lot of speculation over whether Sheffield based Arctic Monkeys could come up with the goods for their second album. There doubters left, right and centre slipping in comments like “they’re just an internet band”, or “they are over-hyped teenagers”. Even more doubts arose when original bassist Andy Nicholson was kicked out of the band because he couldn’t cope with extensive ...
armitage_cake 23.06.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Favourite Worst Nightmare - Arctic Monkeys
Advantages: Brilliant Follow up Disadvantages: 1 weak link
The Arctic Monkeys exploded onto the UK music scene in 2006 with the fastest selling debut album in history, and they seemed to have The Midas Touch, so this 2nd album was either the proof of their talent or it would prove the doubters right that they had a lucky break but did not have staying power. For me, the single that they chose as the first release from this album was all important as it had to be something that would meet the standards set ... ...most likely a weight around their necks. They chose "Brianstorm", which if the stories are to be believed is about a guy they met on tour, whose style and attitude was so individual it inspired pen being put to paper. The intro is fast paced and heavy on the guitars, very much the signature sound of the band, and once Alex Turner's sarcastic vocals kick in the song really takes off.
It is followed by the Duran Duran sampling "Teddypicker", and here ...
eandemam 14.01.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Favourite Worst Nightmare - Arctic Monkeys
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Product Information for "Favourite Worst Nightmare - Arctic Monkeys" »
Product details
Title
Favourite Worst Nightmare
Performer
Arctic Monkeys
Genre
Rock & Pop
Sub Genre
Alternative
Release Date
23/04/2007
Original Release Year
2007
Label / Distributor
Domino / PIAS UK/Sony DADC
Pieces in Set
1
Studio / Live
Studio
Format
Performer
EAN
5034202018827
Catalogue Number
WIGCD 188
Additional notes
Album Notes
Sophomore album from the success story of 2006, whose debut album 'Whatever People Say I Am That's What I'm Not' won the Mercury Music Prize as well as Brit, Q and NME Awards and is the fastest-selling debut album in UK chart history. It's a tall order to follow up, but here the Monkeys do it in fine style, unleashing a brute of a rock album built around clattering drums, raw, pounding guitar riffs and more of the band's trademark Northern cynicism. Includes the single 'Brianstorm'.
Titles on disc 1
1.
Brianstorm
2.
Teddy Picker
3.
D Is For Dangerous
4.
Balaclava
5.
Fluorescent Adolescent
6.
Only Ones Who Know
7.
Do Me A Favour
8.
This House Is A Circus
9.
If You Were There Beware
10.
Bad Thing
11.
Old Yellow Bricks
12.
505
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