Arctic Monkeys : Humbug

[Nicktarist]

I like the direction they're going. They just don't understand exactly what they're doing. For instance, in Secret Door, whenever you change the groove of the song, you have to build it back up again, and humbug fails to do that correctly. So, they're jerking you around several sections and expecting you to cry at the end. I don't think so.

They need some polishing for sure, but it's good to see the band expanding a bit.

peace,
-nick

[RonaldSays]

I think this album needs to grow on you and gets better on every listen. I liked their first two albums as well but have to agree FWN wasn't so different as the first. In this one you hear they're exploring new things and don't want to repeat themselves. If they continue like this I'm sure they will release an album some day that we all can rate as "excellent".

[jayfin3]

Originally Posted by jackhammer

Maybe they don't want to have hit singles anymore and are exploring their sound a little more? It's not all about hit singles and quite frankly if that's what they were only about then people would become tired of them a la Oasis. It's no secet that turner has had his moments with fame and his dislike of certain aspects.

I agree with you on this point. I went to an Arctic Monkeys concert a couple months ago, and they wouldn't play When the Sun Goes Down or Mardy Bum. I didn't realize til later it was because they were trying to work away from those kind of songs. But can you explain your last sentence? Do you know more about why Turner is so disillusioned with fame? I'd like to learn more about that.

And I agree with everyone who said Humbug was a grower. I hated it when I first listen to it, and now I absolutely love it, partially because I had to force feed it to myself in prep for their concert.
My favorite track by far is Dance Little Liar. Fire and Thud is great too, Cornerstone, Secret Door, all great.

[TheCunningStunt]

I love Humbug. I loved WPSI(TWIN) a lot, but when I first heard this I couldn't decide what was my favourite Arctic Monkeys album and I still can't. Really good album, I do feel it's a transitional period into a new sound, I hope they can build their sound on their next album. I really can't wait for a new Arctic Monkeys album.

I voted Excellent by the way.

[Eleanor B.]

This album is a clear example of how the Arctic Monkey's have matured in sound and dare to be different. Humbug is a dark and emotional album. Dance Little Liar is my fav song. I voted excellent.

[loveissucide]

It's very good(generally hard to go wrong with Alex Turner),and an appealing change of direction, but I'd imagine that the next album will be trumpeted as a return to form by the music press.

[TheChosenOne]

A large disappointment when compared to the two previous albums imo, But it is tolerable and there are a few decent tracks on the album.

[juliancasablankas]

I agree with RonaldSays. I really did not like this album until after about ten listens. Really solid addition.

[glastonelle]

Loved it, but prefered Whatever People Say I Am, Thats What I'm Not tbh. It was a bit darker than the debut, and while theres nothing wrong with that, I simply liked the first more. Decent tracks though, and it certainly did not disappoint. Impossible to really, with a voice like Alex Turners its hard to make a crap record.

Dance Little Liar was my favourite on the record, but I must admit I missed hearing a song that I loved as much as Mardy Bum and A Certain Romance.

[allgoodseats]

I also say good. It seems that they're trying something new and maybe when they find that sound they're really trying to get the next songs will fill in better.