Comments on: The Last Word: Arctic Monkeys’ “Nightmare” Is Upon Us

By: Chris Molanphy

Chris Molanphy — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 09:52:31 +0000

@Xenu: I agree entirely, on both Monkeys and especially Franz F. - there were a couple of okay singles on there (and "Do You Want To" wasn't one of them), but wow, what a dropoff from album 1 to 2.

By: Xenu

Xenu — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 09:23:16 +0000

Agreeing on this one: Favourite Worst Nightmare is good. It's too early to determine how I feel about it compared to the first one, which I also liked, but Arctic Monkeys clearly didn't take an embarrasing tumble like (ducking the inevitable bullets) Franz Ferdinand, who turned in a sophomore album far, far below the level of their high-profile debut.

By: Chris Molanphy

Chris Molanphy — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 08:39:14 +0000

It's the classic Respectable Sophomore Album, a la Give 'em Enough Rope or October. It will continue to be respected but fade from memory if the next record is their London Calling.

By: nonce

nonce — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 05:04:46 +0000

But I haven’t even had time to bother listening to the first album yet. Rapid-cycling hype machine British rock, slow down! I’m still working through Elastica and Gay Dad.

By: revmatty

revmatty — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 03:12:57 +0000

I concur, spinachdip. I enjoyed several tracks on the first album, but the whole got a little dull after the first half. Same with Snow Patrol. Both of their current albums are overall more listenable.

By: spinachdip

spinachdip — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 02:34:35 +0000

I write this with my flame retardant suit on, but the new album isn’t terrible at all. I’m not sick of it after a couple of spins, which is more than can be said for their first album.

By: Audif Jackson Winters III

Audif Jackson Winters III — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 02:08:15 +0000

“The fact that it’s less catchy than the first album must be an indicator of artistic maturity. Also, the kids seem to like it, so there must be something to it.”

By: JudgeFudge

JudgeFudge — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 02:00:27 +0000

I wish this band wrote better songs, had a more distinctive sound, and had a more interesting aesthetic. Then, we might have an actual british rock phenomenon.