Wünderkinds the Arctic Monkeys have been the international representative of the Brit punk-pop scene since their “Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not” album became the fastest selling debut in British music history in 2005. They followed up with “Favorite Worst Nightmare” in 2007 and will be releasing “Humbug” later this year.
While I dislike using $7 words like “wünderkind,” I feel it’s appropriate in this case, as the band members were all of 18 when their debut album was released. “WPSIA,TWIN” (isn’t brevity beautiful?) is raw, powerful and purely adolescent. Also, it fucking rules. Each track has a plot straight out of a high schooler’s summer vacation and they are appropriately short. From top to toes the Arctic Monkeys shred their guitars, wail their drums and narrate mischief with a thick Yorkshire accent. This album will rock your socks off and make you laugh while doing it. “Favorite Worst Nightmare” was a full-on follow-up. It has the same cleverness, but with a heap-load of production. While trying to avoid redundancy, the album is far more polished, which felt less authentic to me. But fear not, it’ll still get your accelerator to the floor. The first single off of “Humbug” is available online and goes by the organized letters “Crying Lightning.” It’s far slower than most of “WPSIA,TWIN” and has a bit of an Oasis feel to it. Expect to hear at least a coupla tracks from “Humbug” during their Lolla set.
The Arctic Monkeys play at 4:30 on Saturday opposite only Coheed and Cambria. PLUS they are playing a show the night before at the Metro, which you (yes, you) should probably go check out. If you like Brit rock, fast guitars, and tremendousness, give the Arctic Monkeys a whirl.
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