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Arctic Monkeys

Favourite Worst Nightmare  Hear it Now

RS: 3.5of 5 Stars Average User Rating: 4.5of 5 Stars

2007

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The 2006 debut from these punky, huge-at-home English boys rocked and popped with straightforward brilliance while doubling as a primer on working-class Sheffield nightlife. A bit heavier and not as immediate, Favourite Worst Nightmare is a slightly lesser record, though by no means a Difficult Second Album. The basic stuff is the same as the debut's: momentum, alternately fluid and hard-riffing guitars, and Alex Turner's lithe singalong tunes. Bangers like "Brianstorm" and "505" sound at once ass-kicking and matter-of-fact, and among more tender cuts, the easy winner is the lovely "Fluorescent Adolescent," a snapshot of a wild girl tamed: "You used to get it in your fishnets/Now you only get it in your nightdress." Though unromantic takes on various club-going lads and lasses and their friends are back again, Turner's lyrics are shorter this time around on details that stick, and some cuts are less than memorable. But most of Nightmare sounds confident, unlabored and just plain good -- English cool without English bullshit. The Arctic Monkeys are the new Arctic Monkeys.

CHRISTIAN HOARD
(RS 1025/1026 - May 3, 2007)

(Posted: Apr 17, 2007)

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Review 1 of 9

Ilovememusic writes:

5of 5 Stars


Unfortunatly, the thing about The Arctic Monkeys' Sophomore Album, Favourite Worst Nightmare, is that it is a grower, and on first listen, you could easily dimiss it as not being much. However, take a couple of more listens, as I didn, and It ccould very easily become on of your more cherished albums. Although it is rather different from WPSIATWIN, It's just as good.The Opening Track, Brianstorm, is a raging track that has a hint of Metal in it, and it has probably the best drumming and bass part out of the album. Then Teddy picker comes in, a classic styled AM song that will probably stay in your head for days.D is for Dangerous, the next song on the album, is a grower, possibly because of the fact that Matt Helders also sings on the song, rallying back and forth, between other bandmate, Alex Turner. Florescent Adolescent, the next track, is rather poppy, but in an almost evilly sweet way, which is rather interesting, as Turner cleverly depicts the tale of an aging woman who's lost her spark. Only Ones Who know, which follows, is a guitar ballad, and probably the weakest track. Do Me a Favour, is another grower, with its rather tribal drumming, and the occasional guitar chords. This House is a Circus, is another great track, with it's sinister feeling to it. The Bad thing, which follows, is Classic AM, and fun to listen to. Old Yellow Bricks then follows, with that oh so catchy guitar part that will stay with you for days, and the slightly different, yet still suiting style. 505, the closer, is yet another ballad, however, it takes a drmatic turn and becomes fast at the last minute or so of the song.

Feb 27, 2008 13:58:22

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Review 2 of 9

afireinside24 writes:

4of 5 Stars


Wow is all i have to say about the editors review for this album. Did the idiot even listen to the album ??? Cleary not because he states that "bangers" like brianstorm and 505 kick ass....uh hello, 505 is the least "banger" song on the album, its the damn ballad of the album for crying out loud. There's no way you can give this album any less than their debut bc it is indeed better or at the very least just as good. When i go back to the first album actually, i would give it about a 3 1/2 star rating and this one 4 stars. In the debut album, you can cleary hear the bandns influennces in many of the songs like the very last track, i thought i was listening to the strokes when i first heard it. Now havinng influences on your music ist a bad thing, everyone does it obviously, but in Favourite worst nightmare you actually hear the monkey boys finding their own sound. Old yellow bricks has to be one of the best songs ive ever heard and Rolling Stone is retarded for not having this album on their top 10 of the year. They didnt even put it anywhere on their top 50 of the year !! INSANITY IS WHAT THAT IS !!! But of course they still persist to swing off the nuts of kanye west still, even though most of his songs are covers...sigh. Favourite worst nightmare is by far onne of the best albums of not only this year, but this decade.

Dec 27, 2007 03:30:00

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Review 3 of 9

PlayCrackTheSky writes:

5of 5 Stars


For Arctic Monkey fans, "Favourite Worst Nightmare" is no disappointment. This time the Arctic Monkeys vamp up their lyrics while keeping their trademark tales of late nights and narrow escapes from trouble. From the more mellow tracks to the poppy classics, you can't miss with this album. In short, "Favourite Worst Nightmare" could be summed up: "D is for Delightful".

Jul 19, 2007 10:47:02

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Review 4 of 9

maozedong writes:

5of 5 Stars


What are you looking for roliing stone. Not even four stars for this album. I actually like this album a little bit better than the first, and I think this could be the record of the year so far even with releases from Kings of Leon, Arcade Fire, Bright Eyes, etc. It's too early to tell which will be my favorite, but I am a huge fan of all of the aforementioned bands and the Monkeys really blew me away with Favourite Worst Nightmare.

May 16, 2007 09:21:54

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Review 5 of 9

superpansy writes:

5of 5 Stars


Catchy lyrics and huge hooks make this instantly likeable. It isnt as up-tempo as the debut and has a few slower dark songs, showing off some master songwriting. The boys have defiently matured over their so far short career, and its for the best.
Favourite Worst Nightmare is a favourite!

May 12, 2007 02:44:08

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Review 6 of 9

CrackedLCD writes:

5of 5 Stars


an equal to the debut but for different reasons. ok there aren't as many obvious singles in here, but it's a more grown up offering. it's darker and edgier and will gain them a more mature following who may have been alienated by the tails in "whatever people say i am...". alex turner is proving to be quite some songwriter and there's no signs that he's going to be disappearing into the background anytime soon. to make a record this good and so different considering the level of hype around them, and so soon after the debut, is quite remarkable

May 8, 2007 06:06:34

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Review 7 of 9

StearnsieBoy writes:

5of 5 Stars


sure its not as "classic" as their first but this cd is a great new side to the arctic monkeys!! they keep that crazy upbeat tempo in a lot of the tracks and still come through with some sweet lyrics!!

May 4, 2007 19:45:58

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Review 8 of 9

capkutay writes:

3of 5 Stars


This album wasn't nearly as good as their debut. There wasn't too much effort for an eclectic or artistic lyrical touch on the music. In it's place was an effort to be extremely fast and loud. Yet you can't exactly complain. It's been less than 2 years since their last album came out and they are still younger than The Beatles by the time they released their first album. You can only hope they will regain their style and find their voice in time for the next album. To sum it up: this album is not exactly worth listening to in full.

Apr 26, 2007 16:12:54

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