Arctic Monkeys – Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not

Once every few years comes “the next big band” from the U.K. This band was once Oasis; it was once Radiohead; and even Coldplay was once that secret “hype” band that only the British press mentioned – that is until they would ease their way onto American mainstream radio and sell out big shows all around the world – in Toronto, Japan, South Korea… you name it! If only we were able to buy CALL options on bands, we’d be swimming in money!

The latest U.K. “hype” band happens to be a group of 4 kids (younger than myself) who call themselves Arctic Monkeys. Already, they have broken the record for the fastest selling debut album in the U.K., won several awards including “Best British Band”, sold out a U.S. tour, and secured a spot supporting Oasis in Toronto at the Air Canada Centre. That’s quite an accomplishment for a bunch of 20-year-olds!

They write 4-minute stories about suburban teenage life – stories that even those who grew up across the Atlantic can relate to. Dancing Shoes, for instance, is all about a young man’s perspective on club life where he’s out to find his “future bride”. When the Sun Goes Down is about a girl who is in love with a jerk and gets cheated on – and really, why do so many girls end up with those types of guys? And then there is Riot Van, an emotional song about encountering the police after drinking underage. Haven’t we all faced problems with our drinking laws? Meanwhile, From the Ritz to the Rubble is about asshole bouncers… yeah, we’ve all been there dude!

Their debut album, titled, Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not, mixes elements of recent art rock (Franz Ferdinand anyone?), traditional 90s Britpop (Pulp?), as well as slight touches of emo and ska. The highlight is the album’s closer, A Certain Romance - complete with its loud thumping intro and upbeat melody. Other notable songs include, Fake Takes of San Francisco - a complaint about the “weekend rockstars”, and I Bet That You Look Good On the Dancefloor - the album’s first single which get better with each listen.

Can they keep the fire burning like Coldplay and Oasis? It’s too early to answer, but they certainly have a solid foundation of songs to build on.

Rating: 9/10