In 2009 came the third Arctic Monkeys’ album “Humbug”. The album features the Sheffield-based Alternative Rock band (who use elements of Psychedelic Rock, Post-Punk, and Indie) coming up with more fresh material to show progression from past material as they try out even more things in their ... Read review
Its clear from Humbugs moody, languid opening track, "My Propeller", that the Arctic ... more
Monkeys have changed musical tack for album number three. Following the frenetic nature ofWhatever People Say I AmandFavourite Worst Nightmare, this change of directio...
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Its clear from Humbugs moody, languid opening track, "My Propeller", that the Arctic ... more
Monkeys have changed musical tack for album number three. Following the frenetic nature of Whatever People Say I Am and Favourite Worst Nightmare, this change of direc...
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Advantages: One big tune Disadvantages: Progression seems too quick
In 2009 came the third Arctic Monkeys’ album “Humbug”. The album features the Sheffield-based Alternative Rock band (who use elements of Psychedelic Rock, Post-Punk, and Indie) coming up with more fresh material to show progression from past material as they try out even more things in their music to assist and aid them in getting to where they are aiming for.
1. “My Propeller”
I can’t say that I felt that the album got ... ...lay down a tune that doesn’t particularly do a lots and although you can see, through the way things are played and the like that they are keeping to a format that fans will recognise form them but Turner’s properly-sung vocals mean that it doesn’t have the same effect and I felt that as a result they started it inm a weak manner.
**Two Stars**
2. “Crying Lightning”
This one came as the first single from the ... more
In 2009 came the third Arctic Monkeys’ album “Humbug”. The album features the Sheffield-based Alternative Rock band (who use elements of Psychedelic Rock, Post-Punk, and Indie) coming up with more fresh material to show progression from past material as they try out even more things in their music to assist and aid them in getting to where they are aiming for.
1. “My Propeller”
I can’t say that I felt that the album got off to the best start as you find that they lay down a tune that doesn’t particularly do a lots and although you can see, through the way things are played and the like that they are keeping to a format that fans will recognise form them but Turner’s properly-sung vocals mean that it doesn’t have the same effect and I felt that as a result they started it inm a weak manner.
**Two Stars**
2. “Crying Lightning”
This one came as the first single from the band on this album and it must be said that, in comparison to “I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor” and “Brianstorm”, this has nowhere near the same sort of impact and it pretty much flops through their choose to go further into the sixities style with yet more Psychedelic influence to disconnect it to current trends tot he point where their alternative material goes a step too far.
**Two Stars**
3. “Dangerous Animals”
You find that this one takes on the darker feel that people were expecting to get from them here, but I really wasn’t feeling it again as you see that they come out with another mid-tempo track that doesn’t really get taken anywhere too significant and sees that although you gets hints of their past through the riff, it isn’t consistent with the rest of the music and so forces you down into their dinger material.
**Two Stars**
4. “Secret Door”
You see that with this one there are much more lively breaks to keep you interested, but the way that Alex Turner sings the thing pulls you down so much that you can’t really feel anything else that happens in the music. This one has more depth to it that the others up to this point, with a variety of massive changes in pace and such, but it doesn’t translate into a particularly impressive display at all.
**One Star**
5. “Potion Approaching”
This one sounded like the first improvement in the music, but it really wasn’t getting too much closer to the kind of quality that you expect from the band as although you are able to accept that they are making changes to their music, it doesn’t seem to be a very good transition. This one is one that sounds quite a bit like previous material, but is still feel that it wouldn’t sound welcome when placed within one of their two first records.
**Two Stars**
6. “Fire And The Thud”
Going from a soft acoustic riff, this is a song created to calm the listener, but I still wasn’t feeling too comfortable with the new direction in the music and so it wasn’t really happening for me. You see that Turner comes out with more of his ominous lyrics to bring a dulling undercurrent behind the music (as if this was needed too) for another that just sits as a song that does very little, although an acoustic-based offering was expected at some point.
**One Star**
7. “Cornerstone”
They move into another song that did nothing but bore me. This one is , by far, is the most progressive offering form the band and so also a track that has them yet further away from the kind of engaging material that came with all of their early material. I believe that it is one that needs to be slept on to get the full quality out of, but it wasn’t my thing anyway so this would do no good in my case.
**One Star**
8. “Dance Little Liar” You get thick drumming in this one to push it through as you get yet more disappointing material from them that does nothing other that show you how unwilling they appear to be to do anything other than explore this completely revamped style to their maximum potential and so it just feels quite off-putting by this point where you think that there’s little time to save it (although it does occur).
**One Star**
9. “Pretty Visitors”
Here you finally get something impressive from the m as the burst out with a lively joint that appears to come out of nowhere and gives you a chance to experience the funkiness that has come with earlier material. You see that the odd composition, with a raw percussion set that relentlessly overpowers the son, shows how they have been able to advance this kind of thing too and do so to a very high standard as Turner returns to his sharp lyrical delivery (rather than the dragged-out singing).
**Five Stars**
10. “The Jeweller’s Hands”
The album ends with them pulling out a tune that seems to stand out quite a bit as you find that with it they appear to try out a few more experimental things musically and so it adds to the variety of the material, but after the massive breakout on the last one, it doesn’t do well in potentially rescuing the album in its closing moments and so seems to show that they won’t be pressured into reverting to old ways and will take this style al the way through to the end.
**One Star**
Clearly I wasn’t impressed by this Arctic Monkeys album really and although there is one killer track in here (where they finally get the chance to increase the tempo) the rest of it just appeared lifeless and the darker direction just wasn’t very appealing at all. For me it was the funkiness that they brought with their first album (and to a lesser extent on their second) that made them stand out and so by ridding this from their third release it was obviously going to push me out and I can’t say that I felt the thing overall as a result.
Advantages: A new and exciting sound Disadvantages: May not suit fans of "Whatever people say I am, that's what I'm not"
In case you haven't heard of Arctic Monkeys by now, they consist of four young lads who go by the names of Alex Turner (lead vocals and songwriter), Jamie Cook (guitar), Nick O' Malley (bass guitar and backing vocals) and Matt Helders (drums and backing vocals). They were one of the first bands to shoot to fame through the internet and their debut album 'Whatever People Say I am, that's what I'm not" won the 2006 Mercury music prize and was the fastest ... ...second album 'Favourite worst nightmare" also went to number one in the charts and sold over 225,000 copies in it's first week after it's release in 2007. This album was also nominated for the Mercury Prize too. They have also won two Brit Awards! Us fans have had a long time to wait for the new album and believe me, it doesn't disappoint. What I would say is that it isn't an instant hit in your mind but if you give it a couple of listens it becomes ...
Holly86 21.09.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Humbug [Digipak] - Arctic Monkeys
Advantages: Adds variety to their back catalogue, Lyrics are as good as ever Disadvantages: Little to remember compared to first albums
Arctic Monkeys – Humbug I don't usually write about music but I thought I'd give it a try. I'm not a fan of most music reviews because they're dominated by impressive musical lingo that goes over most people’s heads so I'll keep it short and relatively simple. The Arctic Monkeys grew on me rather quickly with their debut album way back in 2006 after initial doubts that they were just another over-hyped guitar-fondling gang of girls. There first two ... ...beats and wonderful lyrics. So it's disappointing that apart from Crying Lightning, the new album doesn't have the same hooks. Crying Lightning has been on the airwaves for about a month now and for that to be the best song of the album is a massive shame. Not that there aren’t other highlights. Secret Door and Cornerstone are similarly great ballad-y songs with a familiar Arctic’s tone. Pretty Visitors is sure to be a fixture of their live shows ...
Bskipper27 09.09.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Humbug [Digipak] - Arctic Monkeys
Advantages: Good catchy songs that get better with every listen. Disadvantages: No Disadvantages
Humbug is the Arctic Monkey's 3rd full length studio album. Recorded with James Ford and produced by Joshua Homme (Queens of the Stone Age) It is easy to hear his influence on the musical direction of the band. This is a rather darker sounding album compared to 'Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not' and 'Favourite Worst Nightmare'. Tracklisting: 1. My Propeller 2. Crying Lightning 3. Dangerous Animals 4. Secret Door 5. Potion Approaching ... ...Liar 9. Pretty Visitors 10. The Jeweller's Hands The album opens up with 'My Propeller', a track full of moody sounding guitar riffs and haunting melodies. The record then progresses into 'Crying Lightning', their first single release off the album. This track contains more pop style catchy vocals whilst still holding up that moody, darker sound that continues throughout the album. 'Dangerous Animals' is the first track that clearly leaks influences ...
Lordseph 07.09.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Humbug [Digipak] - Arctic Monkeys
Advantages: superb guitar riffs and lyrics Disadvantages: not many up tempo songs and not enough songs
From start to finish humbug is a fantastic album and sees the Arctic Monkeys delve into the darker side of thier musical talents. Although some listeners may prefer thier more up tempo numbers, in my opinion thier new album sees them grow up into an all round rock band who deliver with every album. I think that the albums highlights come in the form of cornerstone, a song about a search for a lost love in which alex turners lyrics are perfect for ... ...ones to rest on thier laurels and always challenge themselves them to be different and not keep pumping out the crowd pleasing type of music from thier first album. I think that shows great courage as they have such a following but thier third album Humbug is an absouloute triumph. ...
pope534 01.09.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Humbug [Digipak] - Arctic Monkeys
Joy isn’t something I experience usually with music. But this album was stupendously uplifting; especially because I was going through a rocky time relationship wise (I won’t bore you with the domestics). The Smiths instantly come to mind when I think of the Arctic Monkeys and that was the case with this album. The tantalising, intertwining guitar work was a clear indication of this. But, unlike any Smiths album, the songs on this album have a kind ... ...if something terrible has already happened and you don’t want to know about it, but he is going to tell you anyway. Amazing! I thought I should give reviews on individual songs, so here it is: Crying Lightning This is their first single and unsurprisingly, it’s a typical, brooding, kitchen-refurbishment. But, this by any means, is a complete compliment. It gives a sense of hope and invention. ...
semiflex 01.09.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Humbug [Digipak] - Arctic Monkeys
Product Information for "Humbug [Digipak] - Arctic Monkeys" »
Product details
Title
Humbug [Digipak]
Performer
Arctic Monkeys
Genre
Rock & Pop
Sub Genre
Alternative
Release Date
24/08/2009
Original Release Year
2009
Label / Distributor
Domino / PIAS UK/Sony DADC
Producer
Josh Homme
Pieces in Set
1
Studio / Live
Studio
Format
Performer
EAN
5034202022022
Catalogue Number
WIGCD 220
Additional notes
Album Notes
One of the most important British bands of recent years, the Arctic Monkeys follow up their first two phenomenally successful albums with Humbug, their first record in over two years. Influenced by Cream and Jimi Hendrix, Humbug features some of frontman Alex Turner's most innovative and profound lyrics yet, whilst also maintaining the Arctic's core sound. Humbug was produced in part by Queens Of The Stone Age frontman Josh Homme.
Titles on disc 1
1.
My Propeller
2.
Crying Lightning
3.
Dangerous Animals
4.
Secret Door
5.
Potion Approaching
6.
Fire And The Thud
7.
Cornerstone
8.
Dance Little Liar
9.
Pretty Visitors
10.
Jeweller's Hands, The
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Listed on Ciao since
29/06/2009
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