♫ Arctic Monkeys - AM

First off, our sincerest apologies for not posting for so long. School is all up on our back :-( *sigh*

The Arctic Monkey's somewhat recent (released last September?) album "AM' is as slick as Alex Turner's hair and cool as his leather jacket with its popped collar. Their video for "Why'd You only Call Me when You're High" (below) pretty much embodies the tone of the whole album. 

All the tracks, like the video, set an image of an environment in a grimy but rat-free bar. The leather-clad skinny young thugs are playing pool at an ungodly hour on a thursday evening. These characters are completely drunk yet quiet and somber, glaring at everyone and discreetly rambling slurred, intoxicated monologues. Or they are in a loud, raucous bar fight. Either way, everyone in the bar is wearing a leather jacket and has way too much gel in their hair. 

"Mad Sounds" sets a sentimental lullaby tone, tambourines, heavy-bass playing and all. "R U Mine" gets you head banging and is a good bar fight anthem. "No. 1 Party Anthem" has funny satirical lyrics and a slow pace. I think the song was trying to make a statement or connection to LMFAO's own Party Rock Anthem. Each song has its own little personality that adds up to the whole album.

While listening to the music, the lead singer Alex Turner, has eyes wide with cool I can hardly bear. His voice is as smug and gentle as ever. The poetic lyrics have stayed quintessentially Arctic Monkeys, and are combined with the gentler, slithering, sly music the band manages to project a perfect, clear and consistent image.

Everyone knows this one, methinks.

♥ Lala