Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Mosquito

Karen O and team don’t quite channel the same sort of raw energy that drips from their earlier offerings but what they lose in vitality they more than make up for in growling sneers.

Vampire Weekend – Modern Vampires of the City

More of the same from the painfully hip New Yorkers. If you like their previous efforts you’ll be happy but I can’t help but think that they’re either getting a little jaded or running out of things to say.

The Strokes – Comedown Machine

I couldn’t have been more disappointed in this album. A poor mish-mash of songs that feel thrown together in a hot-minute. Considering that releasing this album got them out of their contract with RCA, the motivations for such a poor release are clear.

Le Sexoflex – The Naughty Contest

I played their previous Mixxxtape an embarrassing amount of times so I was more than excited for their second release. It feels weird to say that this is a more mature, darker album when the song I’m putting here is called “Suck Dick, Eat Cheetos” but that’s the reality of it. And if you hadn’t gathered yet it’s probably NSFW.

Everything Everything – Arc

Everything Everything are one of those bands that sneak up on you. At first, they’ll seem hard to penetrate as their music is so dense with melody but god damn it you’ll be coming back for more like it’s crack.

Haim – Days Are Gone

Without a doubt, my album of the year. Played it obsessively. These three sisters know how to bury a catchy tune into your brain. Add that to their rocking beats and interchanging vocals and you’ll be smitten before you know it. It’s a shame their music videos are so bad.

Arctic Monkeys – AM

This one got a lot of praise from other quarters but I’m gonna put my neck on the line and say that I thought it was much more hit-and-miss. But I will give them credit for finally moving their sound on from the QotSA sound-a-like funk they were in.

Rizzle Kicks – Roaring 20s

Do you get it? Because they’re 21 now. No? Fine. Britain’s premier hip-hop outfit are back with their second album and they mean business. Taking pot shots at modern life and the hypocrisy of rap misogyny. My kinda guys.

The Strypes – Snapshot

The Strypes are teenage kids from Ireland who are scaring people with their ability to write catchy blues rock from the 60s. Their album is tough to listen to from start to finish due to a lot of similar sounding songs but they’re a welcome addition to a shuffled playlist.

Brothers or Not – Pioneer

Expert pedlars of whiskey-fuelled break-up songs, Brothers or Not return with their second EP of scorchers. Some of my favourite rock songs of the past couple years are from this band and if you miss the days when Dave Grohl was able to actually write a rock song and not just a pop song with guitars, then I think you need Brothers or Not in your life. Unfortunately they don’t have a full song from the EP online so check out this taster.

Arctic Monkeys are one of those bands that made me sit up and pay attention at a time when I was getting really cynical and apathetic about music. The first time I was introduced to them was the video for “I Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor”. It excited my like I was a teenager again listening to rock records. The energy and wit were a breath of fresh air.

It’s only been 5 years since that debut album, Whatever People Say I am, That’s What I’m Not, was released. Amazingly, this is their 4th album with a 5 track EP and live album also under their belts in that time. It seems the band gets bored easily.

I had been disappointed with their last album Humbug. It felt like the band were trying to be someone else. There was a departure from their sound and it struck me of pretention rather than a natural progression. But I was so attached to their first album it could have just been me doing the cardinal sin of a music fan; wanting a band to release the same album over and over again because you love it so much.

How will I take to the new album Suck It And See? Well, as always with these reviews, I will listen to the album and review it in live time. No going back, once the song is over I can’t write about it anymore. This is the first time I’m hearing any of the music so I will be giving my thoughts as I hear it.

1) She’s Thunderstorms

This sounds big. Not only in the musical sense but also production wise. You get the impression it was recorded in a cathedral or something like that. He hits a weird bum note about 2 minutes in, it’s a very airy and gentle vocal from Alex Turner otherwise. The song doesn’t feel like it goes anywhere in particular but it’s not a bad opening to the album.

2) Black Treacle

There are some guitar sounds on this I’ve never heard from them before. They’re definitely getting comfortable with their role of playing large venues because this sort of thing seems fit for it. Another song without a “hook”.

3) Brick By Brick

Wow. Nothing like I’ve ever heard from them before. It sounds quite American too. I know that may sound strange but when these guys first came out, there was no doubt they were from Sheffield, England. Where this sounds like something from… anywhere else. Dirty guitar moments and singing about rock and roll. It’s just not what I was expecting. Best song on the album so far though. First sign of a traditional chorus too.

4) The Hellcat Spangled Shalalala

I’m a sucker for feedback. Throw some in at the start of a song and you have my attention. But i feel you have to back it up with then kicking some ass straight away. To go from some feedback into a mellow verse doesn’t feel right. You got my hopes up, feedback! As a result, I’m unimpressed.

5) Don’t Sit Down ‘Cause I’ve Moved Your Chair

Another big and bassy track. I’m noticing Turner’s usual whimsical and witty wordplay has been replaced by more disjointed and bizarre imagery. I don’t want to say “generic” song writing because he’s still better than your average lyricist but he’s singing “yeah yeah yeah” now. Seriously? Good song though. Proper rocking.

6) Library Pictures

This is a bit more like it. Another hard rocking track and a drum line that will keep you moving… oh, wait, we’ve cooled off a notch again. And back again. This would be very enjoyable live. I’d have preferred it without the dip into crooning in the middle, but another good track.

7) All My Own Stunts

We’re flying through these. All the songs have been less than 4 minutes so far. Some even coming under 3. This one plods along. I hate calling things filler but if anyone tells me this is their favourite on the album, I’d have to laugh in their face.

8) Reckless Serenade

One of the best lyrical songs on the album, also probably the slowest and most melodic. There are some slower songs earlier on like 2 and 4 but they just aren’t as enjoyable to listen to as this one. I think they need to work on their ballads…

9) Piledriver Waltz

…Look at this one for example. It feels awkward in a few places. It’s like the wrote the music and lyrics separately and are now desperately trying to fit both together. In some places it works nicely but in others it just sounds messy. Frustrating.

10) Love Is A Laserquest

“Do you look in the mirror to remind yourself you’re there”. Oh how I’ve miss your scathing lyrical scratches. Another balladic song but this time it works like “Reckless Serenade” and hits all the right points.

11) Suck It And See

This is almost a 60s, Beach Boys-ish song. Again, sounding very Californian like in other places on the album but I’m enjoying listening a lot. I’ll never complain about this kind of old fashioned sound. I love that sort of thing. It’s unusual to hear it from the Arctic Monkeys but I should probably just get over that at this point and roll with it. Humbug was the hint towards it and this is definitely their sound now.

12) That’s Where You’re Wrong

Another big stadium rock guitar performance here. If you can catch them at any festivals this summer, I’d highly recommend checking them out because if they play tracks like this one it’s sure to be a great experience. You can almost feel the sun coming through this song. Another song I’ve enjoyed listening to a lot.

—————————————————————————————————————————————-

Overall: It’s a great summer rock album. I don’t know if summer rock albums are something we get much of these days but there is very little about Suck It And See that doesn’t lean towards that idea. It was made to be played at a sunny rock festival and will work best at them. There are a few songs that didn’t impress me too much but the album has more than enough highlights littered throughout to make it worth it.