arctic monkeys' HUMBUG

i finally took a listen to the new arctic monkeys album, humbug. i heard about it in rolling stone a couple of months ago and was really intrigued to hear that they recorded it in the states, and that alex turner (the lovely, the talented) is still sneering away. i loved rob sheffield's comment, "their ace third album is full of turner's snide observations on human behavior — when he looks you in the eye and sneers, "what came first, the chicken or the dickhead?" it's not a compliment."

i've been revamping an apartment above my sister's coffee shop for a few days now and have had everything in the cd player from cat power to just jack to the garden state official soundtrack. this was a change of pace -- and a welcome one!

i first got into arctic monkeys when i gave a listen to 2007's favourite worst nightmare. their debut album, 2005's whatever people say i am, that's what i'm not was making huuuge waves in the u.k. when i was there studying abroad in the spring of '06. i didn't really care for them then, though, and i'm not sure why. it wasn't until i heard fwn that i was like, WTF what have i been missing!??? -- so i snatched up their first one immediately and have loved them both, though they are both very different records, and the first is still better -- in my mind -- than their sophomore album.

i like alex turner so much that his side project, the last shadow puppets, are a favorite in my car stereo also. the only negative thing i have to say is that when i went to see them in chicago a while ago, they put on the most impersonal, rushed show i've seen. the music was fine, though faster than the albums, and they gave off a general don't-give-a-fuck-about-chicago sort of vibe. it's too bad, it left a bad taste in my mouth, but i'd be willing to give them another shot, i think.

humbug sounds like turner and the monkeys finding their footing. the lyrics are intense and the sound is appropriately eerie and ravaging and beautiful.. i'm a big fan of this album after only a couple of listens.