Posts Tagged: Arctic Monkeys


18
Nov 09

Arctic Monkeys – Fright Lined Dining Room

Arctic Monkeys   Fright Lined Dining Room listenPhoto by Kirstie Shanley
“Fright Lined Dining Room” is one of the three unreleased tracks to back the Arctics’ second single “Cornerstone” off Humbug, which we were crazy about .

Alex Turner told Uncut Magazine that he wrote the song “one morning, quite quickly” adding that, “there’s something to be said for writing in the morning. At other points in the day you’re a bit more defensive. I saw it as a challenge to write something in a major key, but that wasn’t cheesy.” Truly profound mister Turner. You all will be glad to discover that “Fright” is not cheesy in the slightest. In fact, I think fans who purchase the single are going to be quite pleased to hear this little bonus. Continue reading →


14
Nov 09

Best Albums of the 2000s: 2006

Best Albums of the 2000s: 2006 feature
Continue reading →


29
Oct 09

Best Album of 2006 Poll

Best Albums of 00 | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09

Alright guys, we’ve made it to 2006. You know the drill by now. Because we’re approaching the not too distant past, it’s becoming harder and harder to make these top 10 lists. I feel like most of these albums are fresh in my mind (in fact, I still listen to most of them today). As always, there will be some omissions you will probably not like at all, like Bloc Party’s absence in 2005 — pretty good album, but hardly came close to Top 10-dom. This year’s omissions feel extra painful because I love the albums left out almost as much as I love the Top 10 itself. Albums left out include works by Sunset Rubdown, Band of Horses, Neko Case, Liars, Beirut, Bob Dylan, The Thermals, among others. But let’s focus on the albums that “made the cut”.

A. The Knife – Silent Shout
B. TV on the Radio – Return To Cookie Mountain
C. The Hold Steady – Boys and Girls in America
D. Clipse – Hell Hath No Fury
E. Ghostface Killah – Fishscale
F. Gnarls Barkley – St. Elsewhere
G. Joanna Newsom – Ys
H. Arctic Monkeys – Whatever People Say I Am That’s What I’m Not
I. The Decemberists – The Crane Wife
J. Grizzly Bear – Yellow House

Good luck finding your favorite, because we’re having the toughest time.


23
Oct 09

This Week’s Touring News

This Weeks Touring News musicI don’t usually post tour dates on the blog, but I figured a lot of you might be interested in what cool shows have been announced in your area for the near future. I know I usually rummage the internet for such information.

Here is this the touring news for the week ending 10/23, including dates for JUSTICE, Arctic Monkeys, Wilco, Julian Casablancas, Weezer, The Antlers, Neko Case, Andrew Bird, Free Energy, The Drums and These United States. Continue reading →


25
Aug 09

Arctic Monkeys – Dangerous Animals (The Raged Remix)

Arctic Monkeys   Dangerous Animals (The Raged Remix) listen
We thought the new Arctic Monkeys album could have been a bit better, but I can’t think of anything The Raged could have done to make this remix of “Dangerous Animals” better.

According to the message he left, The Raged is looking for a label to release their original stuff. If this remix is any indication of what The Raged is capable of, I say someone better sign him fast.

Arctic Monkeys – [download id="160"]

Also give The Raged’s original track, “Home Experiement” for a spin, it’s highly recommended.

The Raged – [download id="161"]


21
Aug 09

Best Songs of the Decade (2000-2009)

I wasn’t going to do this. Working on the Best Albums of the 2000s was going to be enough work. But after reading through some pretty great lists by Pitchfork, I Guess I’m Floating and Gorilla vs Bear, I was reminded of something very important — although the album is the most vital instrument a musician has at his disposal to get an idea or feeling across to listeners, we can’t undermine the importance of a song. A song gives you small doses of relief, comfort, or what have you, minutes at a time.

I gave a fair amount of thought into this list, but for the most part, I knew how it would turn out. This list is mine and mine alone; I am inviting you to my world where I don’t need to explain myself or answer to anyone. But as always, I encourage you all to leave your thoughts and your personal picks in the comment section.

I would like to end with… well, I can’t really say it better than Connor from IGIF. The last 10 years have been the biggest of my life, especially my life as a music lover, so these next 120 songs are the songs that have shaped and molded me into whoever I am today. That’s as personal as it gets.

1. LCD Soundsystem – All My Friends
from Sound of Silver (2007)

2. Radiohead – Idioteque
from Kid A (2000)

3. Outkast – B.O.B.
from Stankonia (2000)

4. The Killers – All These Things That I’ve Done
from Hot Fuss (2004)

5. The Arcade Fire – Neighborhood #2 (Laika)
from Funeral (2004)

6. TV On The Radio – Wolf Like Me
from Return To Cookie Mountain (2006)

7. Panda Bear – Comfy In Nautica
from Person Pitch (2007)

8. Roisin Murphy – Ramalama (Bang Bang)
from Ruby Blue (2005)

9. Britney Spears – Toxic
from In The Zone (2003)

10. Arctic Monkeys – Leave Before The Lights Come On
from Leave Before The Lights Come On EP (2006)

11. Spoon – The Way We Get By
from Kill The Moonlight (2002)

12. Sia – Breathe Me
from Colour the Small One (2004)

13. Kanye West – Jesus Walks
from College Dropout (2004)

14. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Maps
from Fever To Tell (2003)

15. Animal Collective – Peacebone
from Strawberry Jam (2007)

16. The Knife – Heartbeats
from Deep Cuts (2003)

17. The Strokes – Barely Legal
from Is This It? (2001)

18. Daft Punk – One More Time
from Discovery (2001)

19. Beyonce – Crazy In Love
from Dangerously In Love (2003)

20. The Arcade Fire – Intervention
from Neon Bible (2007)

21. Animal Collective – My Girls
from Merriweather Post Pavilion (2009)

22. Radiohead – Jigsaw Falling Into Place
from In Rainbows (2007)

23. M.I.A. – Paper Planes
from Kala (2007)

24. Hercules and Love Affair – Blind
from Hercules and Love Affair (2008)

25. Sufjan Stevens – Chicago
from Illinoise (2005)

#26 – 50:


15
Aug 09

The Rise and Stumble of the Arctic Monkeys

Humbug review and CD + LP giveaway.

Remember when the Arctic Monkeys were supposed to be the next big thing? It was back when a bunch of new bands were hitting the scene and everyone was drinking the We Are Scientists Kool-Aid. It was late 2005, and the Arctic Monkeys were the talk of the town, the saviors of indie rock, the heir apparent to the newly built Franz Ferdinand throne. “I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor” had people dancing across a number of continents, and their cheekily titled album, Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not, was the fastest selling debut album in UK history.

It was a fantastic debut album, and the Monkeys had a good mix of musical chops and cocky confidence. They seemed disinterested in label games, willing to alienate radio and label heads in favor of a grassroots fan-base.

But despite not seeking press (or perhaps because of it) there was a fair amount of media involved in the construction and rise of the Arctic Monkeys. Sure, the band had built a committed following online, they had brought the noise on their debut, and they had crafted a bunch of really danceable rock tunes. But a debut album is by no means a body of work, and when NME named Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not the 5th best British record of all time, people started to scratch their heads. The follow-up LP from the group, Favourite Worst Nightmare, saw all 12 tracks crack the top 200 on the UK singles chart. And then we started to get nervous.

Well, the nerves probably started earlier than that, but suffice it to say that not everyone bought that initial buzz hook, line, and sinker. It seemed a bit like we were pinning big hopes to a young brash band that might not follow through. Were we just swallowing whatever they songs they gave us and proclaiming excellence out of fear of it being anything less than incredible? Were the Arctic Monkeys just The Killers on a one year delay? Only time will tell, as the saying goes, and that time has come. Now, shortly before the release of the band’s third full length, Humbug, we find ourselves in the modern dilemma of pinning great expectations on a band that didn’t ask for them. The Arctic Monkeys have to prove that they are grown up before they have actually grown up. Continue reading →


6
Aug 09

The Rifles – The Great Escape EP

The Rifles   The Great Escape EP listen
Say hello to the newest cheeky Brit pop band to cross the pond.

Perhaps best described as a hybrid of The Kooks and The Arctic Monkeys (with a touch of The Cold War Kids), The Rifles are looking to break through to North American audiences.

Presenting The Great Escape EP — an energetic, light-hearted sample of what The Rifles have to offer.

I thoroughly enjoyed all four featured tracks. The Rifles exude a jangly, playful vibe that is conveyed in each of their sample tracks. Short guitar licks and light, upbeat percussion give the EP an all-over energetic, slightly retro grunge-band feel.

The band was formed in 2004, and their debut album, No Love Lost, peaked the UK charts at #26. The Rifles recently signed with Nettwerk in North America and will be touring our side of the Atlantic come autumn.

Pleasant, and feel-good, if this EP is any indication to what the LP will sound like, I think there’s room for The Rifles to make a name for themselves and capture the hearts of North American Indie fans everywhere. Keep an eye out for this fantastic four; they’ll be doing big things in the next year.

Read on for the tracklist and mp3s Continue reading →


3
Aug 09

Arctic Monkeys – Cornerstone

Arctic Monkeys   Cornerstone listen
I haven’t been given the chance to give the new Arctic Monkeys album a real listen. So far, it has been one track here and there (I know, terrible thing to do when listening to an album for the first time). So far it seems as though Humbug makes more sense as a follow up to The Last Shadow Puppets’ album. It’s moody and melancholy, something that really shouldn’t be released before October. The Arctic Monkeys are harshing my summer buzz and I’m not really appreciating.

However, “Cornerstone” has sat well with me and as been the only track off Humbug that I put on repeat. I quite like it, but I usually enjoy Alex Turner’s almost tongue-in-cheek ballads (read: Mardy Bum). You ought to listen to it. Continue reading →


6
Jul 09

Arctic Monkeys – Crying Lightning

Arctic Monkeys   Crying Lightning listen
Mere hours before British radio was supposed to premiere the Arctic Monkeys’ new first single for their forthcoming Humbug, “Crying Lightning” hit the internet. I love when that happens.

The Arctic Monkeys opted to stray from their traditional, straightforward approach and have crafted a song far more complex than say, “I Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor.”

The hook isn’t as hook-y as the aforementioned song, but signature Alex Turner melody and lyric is spot on. The guitar work on “Crying Lightning” is especially great. Guitarists Turner, Cook, and Bass Guitarist Nick O’Malley are spinning a web rather than rushing into a raw explosion of sound that has become common in Arctic Monkey records. Listen to “Crying Lightning” here Continue reading →