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.