Difficult second album?! Please... (Favourite Worst Nightmare - Arctic Monkeys)

Member Name: jwallis55

Product:	Favourite Worst Nightmare - Arctic Monkeys
Date:	13/09/09 (17 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great lyrics

Disadvantages: ...

The Arctic Monkeys - celebrated as the 'saviours of rock', the 'influential artists of this decade' - smashed onto the scene with the No. 1 single 'I Bet That You Look Good On The Dancefloor' and their debut album became the best selling debut album of all time and won the Mercury Prize AND a Brit Award. To put it lightly, they had a lot to live up to with this, their second album.

Released in 2007, it reached No. 1 in the album charts and was once again nominated for a mercury prize. But what did I, as a punter and fan, think?!

Well from the first listen of the album it was obvious: they had grown up. Not too much, but enough: that bit heavier, more ambitious in their sound. The same cheeky chappy approach remained but it seemed quicker, louder almost.

Lyrically, the album is as sound as ever: Alex Turner's witty lyrics often biting but never patronising.

The opening track, Brianstorm, is raucous and guitar riff ridden, a very strong opener that was in fact their first single off this album. With a very strong chorus, you could guarantee mass sing/shout alongs to this at one of their gigs.

Teddy Picker, the second song, is one of my favourites: the lyrics clever, the tune quick paced, similar to D is for Dangerous.

The slower songs on the album are beautiful: a welcome rest. 505 is the best, Alex's voice wonderfully lulling and soft.

All in all, I really rate this album. Although not quite the masterpiece that is their first, this is a very strong album and doesn't flounder at any point. Lyrically and musically, very sound.

Summary: 5/5