Arctic Monkeys - Suck It And See
It might be slower than their past work but Suck It and See is a fine offering from a band that has become comfortable in its own skin and assured of its skill.
Britain’s Arctic Monkeys were the very first music success story of the Internet Age. Posting their demos and recordings on MySpace (remember that?) the band built up a groundswell of fans around the world that quickly catapulted them to stardom. Their timing couldn’t have been more perfect, not only was the technology waiting to be exploited but the British music scene was still going through a post-Oasis malaise. The cry for something new could be heard across the UK and the Arctic Monkeys stepped up to the plate as they attempted to capture the sentiments and experiences of English youth in the 21st century.
Their first two albums Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not (2006) and Favourite Worst Nightmare (2007) were both huge critical and commercial successes and established the Arctic Monkeys’ sound of fast paced indie rock that dripped with youthful vigour. Alex Turner’s laconic English drawl also helped set the band apart from their contemporaries.
The band’s third album, Humbug(2009), saw the Monkeys push their sound in a new direction. They flew out to America to record in California and New York. The frenetic, high tempo sing-a-longs were replaced by brooding, psychedelic, heavy guitars; undoubtedly the influence of Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age) who co-produced the album. Although not the commercial success of their past efforts, Humbug showed a band that was determined to grow and evolve and not be typecast as a one trick pony.
Although an enjoyable record, the major criticism levelled at Humbug was that it lacked the infectious hooks of its predecessors. With Suck It and See the Arctic Monkeys seem intent to rectify this problem with songs that are immediately catchy while at the same time continuing the work of Humbug by broadening their sonic palette with new sounds and textures.
Opening track, “She’s Thunderstorms” introduces an enchanting post-punk sound that hearkens back to the late 80s and bands like The Jesus and Mary Chain. This post-punk element is laced throughout the album and comes to the fore brilliantly on “Piledriver Waltz” and “Love is a Laserquest.”
At the same time the band still makes use of the heavy rock sound they experimented with on Humbug. The throbbing bass line of “Brick By Brick” delivers a heavy groove that will make you feel dirty in all the right ways while its choruses are pure pop delight. First single “Don’t Sit Down ‘Cause I’ve Moved Your Chair” is all booming guitars as Alex Turner tempts you like a snake to do something dangerous. “Don’t Sit Down” is one of the few tracks that drummer Matt Helders is allowed to really cut loose and his percussion combined with the slow, dark guitars will pound you into submission.
It only seems like yesterday that the Arctic Monkeys burst onto the scene with their energetic indie rock. By now you’ve probably already got a firm impression of the Monkeys and whether or not their material is your kind of thing. If you’ve only ever listened to their Whatever People Say I Am… you’d do well to check out Suck It and Seeif for no other reason to chart the growth this band has shown in such a small period of time. Rather than allow themselves to burn out and disappear as a fad band, the Arctic Monkeys have positioned themselves as a group for the long haul with an expanding, eclectic and engaging sound.
It might be slower than their past work but Suck It and See is a fine offering from a band that has become comfortable in its own skin and assured of its skill. Everything about this record reeks of class and precision. Alex Turner has developed into an engaging frontman whose voice and swagger will have listeners eating out of his hand while the music shows a growing maturity and complexity. Fans should be excited for where this band decides to go next. Sometimes slowing down can be a good thing.
(Domino Recording Co.)