Humbug - Arctic Monkeys

It was anticipated, we didn't know what to expect and my copy did arrive two days early (thank you hmv.com pre-ordering) but Arctic Monkeys' latest release 'Humbug' is available to all of us mere mortals now - and we're ready for the lads to blow our brains. 'Humbug' will.

More brutal, exciting and "in yer face!" it will prove to be a classic... without selling as many copies as their previous albums have - Spotify or no Spotify.

It's ten beautiful, mind-bending and intriguing songs, bursting with irregularity and uncertainty. It's brilliant. Brave. Abstract. We all said Turner was a genius, but not until now can it be confirmed, set in stone and other such sayings which just plainly mean he's fantastic.

First single 'Crying Lightning' with it's repetitive chorus and sexy beat finally (after a few listens) carved it's way into the brain, as do so many of the songs on 'Humbug'. 'Pretty Visitors' is like a punch to the face - which is good in this case. It's attacking, mesmerising and a poetic rant about... well pretty much nothing. Epic. "What came first the chicken or the dickhead?" Why, I don't know. Just epic. Then there's the hypnotising 'Secret Door'. Listening really means listening with this song, you can't just have it on in the background as you go about your business. It has a strange effect on the ears, perhaps due to it's complexity. Album opener 'My Propeller' has this amazing desert rock riff and is quite the vast comparison to ending track 'The Jeweller's Hands' with cynical lyrics and spooky, yet circus like undertones. But the two bring the album full circle, the perfect opening and perfect finale.

So if complex, hypnotic rock 'n' roll bands aren't your thing, then stick to 'Whatever People Say I am...'

And there's only a few days until Arctic Monkeys play Reading and Leeds festivals. Not long to learn the words then... Bah Humbug!

Your Idols May Save You...

Inspiration. It's something all musicians have and in some cases your idols may save you from lifetime embarrassment - something you weren't far from.

Remember Preston? He was in the Ordinary Boys and was on Celebrity Big Brother (don't worry, I didn't watch it either). To be honest, I was never really interested in whatever he was up to from his failed marriage, to storming off the set of Never Mind the Buzzcocks to defend said marriage. Like so many others I'd just cast aside any of his musical input, without so much as an intoxicated listen. But his solo single 'Dressed to Kill' is actually a good song.

So the video may hold the headline slot for the yet-to-be-invented Cringe Fest (search 'Dressed to Kill - Preston' on youtube now to see what I mean) but the actual music isn't bad in the slightest. It's down to Siouxie & The Banshees and their song 'Happy House'. Preston has done what so many do in order to create a decent song - sampled.

Lady Sovereign sampled in that Cure track 'Close to Me' for her song 'So Human' and what did it get her? Radio and TV air time and playing in Topshop's up and down the country - now she knows she's made it!

I'm not saying sampling's bad, wrong, or means you've run out of ideas. (That's what covering is for... jokes!) In fact a lot of amazing songs have sampled in other artists work, DJs do it and it works like it has for the artists I've mentioned. Lady Sovereign and Preston now can be accepted as people with a good song under their belts... But then again, they may become one hit wonders. Possibly like choosing between the lethal injection and the electric chair. (Possibly an exaggeration).

SUMMER TUNE ALERT!
On another note of inspiration, give 'Silence is Talking' by Reverend & The Makers a listen. It instantly reminded me of The Charlatans, and perhaps that's where the Rev got his ideas from, but whatever it's a great song.

Arctic Monkeys Are Back!

The first rule of rock 'n' roll: forget about the barber. Grow your luscious locks, reveal that macho mane. Arctic Monkeys have returned and despite 'Crying Lightning' being a great track, all anyone seems to care about is that Turner and Co (excluding Matt Helders) have let grooming drop down on their list of priorities.

Like all previous tracks, 'Crying Lightning' is catchy, but it does appear that their sound - similarly to their barnets - have gotten just slightly more virile. Mind, after hanging out with the likes of P.Diddy in NYC, for them not to of 'beefed up' even just a bit would be bonkers.

Upon my first listen, I wasn't exactly sure what to make of it. I remember in 2005 when I got my first taste of their work in the form of 'I Bet That You'd Look Good on the Dance Floor' and instantly fell in love with everything about them - especially Alex's heavily accented vocals. Skip a few years forward and I'm presented with a rather eerie song, wondering where the fun had gone. Then I listened attentively and took notice of the lyrics - I love it. Trust me it's a grower...

The video to their new single is interesting. More manly, cool and technical than years past - there's no sign of the fresh-faced Sheffield lads dressing as clowns -it shows the band sailing in a tiny boat in the most unforgiving and harsh conditions you could imagine. Suddenly giant versions of the band emerge from the water - perhaps to reflect what they have now become... mega stars.

So I'm going to say that fans need not to worry (too much, we haven't heard the whole album yet). And if you're lucky enough to be the owner of a ticket to Reading or Leeds Festival for this year, (I AM! I AM!) then you'll be amongst some of the first to hear the new album live. But I do hope that the boys don't discard too many of the fun and epic oldies as the festival will be my first time seeing them live.

I heard a few older fans expressing their brutal opinions that the new stuff is boring. But how can you know after only one song? I think 'Crying Lightning' is a quality tune and until 24th August, I won't, and can't say much more than I'm glad they're back.

Libertine Dream

Excellent. The Libertines are reforming! Hallelujah. Despite this sounding sarcastic, in all seriousness I'm thrilled.

I've seen Peter solo, Babyshambles rocking Leeds Festival '08 and Dirty Pretty Things at said festival only weeks before they split. I have never had the pleasure of witnessing The Libertines, never been apart of the magic they bring with them or experienced what it truely is to be 'one of the likely lad(ette)s'. Honestly, the reformation is all I've ever wanted since the break up. I want them to do all the things they've discussed - a new album, a tour... and obviously I want Peter to keep going with his solo career and Babyshambles.

But no matter how romantic and idealistic this vision may sound - there's no avoiding that bands can reform and run their legendary status straight into the ground. My happiness holds with it a shadowing doubt - hence my sarcasm at the start of this entry.

Take Guns 'N' Roses for example, (and I know there's going to be those who disagree) they were once rock icons. Now the words 'new but certainly not improved' come to mind. There's one original member, (who lets be honest was never the coolest one anyway) so in actual fact, they are not even Guns 'N' Roses - they're Axl's tribute act.

Then there's Smashing Pumpkins. Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlin reunite the band in 2006, only for Chamberlin to leave in 2009. Have no fear though! Corgan will continue performing and recording under the name 'Smashing Pumpkins'... Need I say more?

So yes, I love the Libertines and always will, but I don't want their reunion to be like so many greats before them. So please Libertines, no goodbyes to any original members, or new ones to 'replace' them, we want it to be like there never was a split. A word of advice - if it doesn't run smoothly... bail before you crash and burn.