Arctic Monkeys: Humbug: 7/10

Firstly I think I had better start with a confession. I love the Arctic Monkeys, which is why even though I have had this album for two weeks now I have resisted the temptation to review. If that makes no sense to you I shall explain further. The first time I heard this album I didn't like it, I thought it was drab and unremarkable in almost every way, thankfully I held off from broadcasting that opinion and now I give to you the lived with review.

Bang and away we go, The Sheffield Monkeys certainly like loud album openers, (Don't believe me? check out 'The View From The Afternoon.') This time the honour falls to My Propeller a track that on first listen fails to move and only on the fifth or sixth listen grants you access to its melody which is well worth the wait. Trust me if your not there yet put it on again. This is a theme for the album. As with their second album there are no obvious singles here, nor are there any obvious melodies. The only thing that screams out at you are the riffs and the fantastic drum performances of Mr. Helders. Even the cheeky chappy lyrics so prominent on the first album haven't made a return. The mood remains dark and the instrumentation remains loud not relenting until the fourth track Secret Door. Here the Last Of The Shadow Puppets finger prints leave a velvet smear upon what up until this point had been uncompromising in its straight forward no nonsense approach, probably a result of production duties by QOTSA Josh Holme.

The dark production returns with sinister groaning backing vocals adding an interesting texture to Potion Approaching when it looked set to be a nuts and bolts riff led rock effort. Mid track there is a change of pace and things get really interesting. Drums and bass take over from the guitars and darken the mood further before a lightning return to a riff that you hadn't realized you were missing. Backing vocals are a feature throughout the album but no longer are they restricted to punky yelps, now more confident performances and crafted production create a choking claustrophobic atmosphere with in which you ain't ever going to find anything to sing along to. The album does have a couple of lighter moments such as cornerstone which offers a few major chords and a typically Monkey's narrative lyrics however the lyrics remain dark and filled with despair.

Pretty Visitors is an album highlight which showcases the Arctic Monkeys comfort in making the heavier music that they have grown towards in this and the previous album.

All in all I think it is safe to conclude that the Arctic Monkeys will never be the band that their earlier material suggested they would be. They are far more complicated than that and thankfully aren't sufficiently interested in the fame that could be had by replicating their first album. Here stands a band who are only concerned in following there own path. The destination still remains a mystery although with this album we are closer than ever to finding it out. 7/10.

Florence and the Machine:Lungs:6/10

Lets start off by chasing the hype and examining one of the years most industry pimped releases, Florence and the Machine's debut album Lungs.

I, like many of my easily led friends, was immensely looking forward to this release. Ever since I first had my ears slapped about by the questionable morality of the throw away first single 'kiss with a fist' my attention has been pricked when ever I have heard her name. Since then two further singles have leapt up radio playlists, album opener 'dog days are over' and the unlikely dance tinged Rabbit Heart (check the Jamie T remix).

Looking at the track listing on the bus I prepared myself for disappointment as I noted the prominence of the two most recent singles (track one and two). For me this is never a good sign. However, once in the CD player I settled with my over sized muzo headphones and was instantly struck with the realisation that FATM's place isn't on a crackling car stereo. Opener 'dog days are over' blew me away with its delicate layers of instrumentation. Not only are the arrangements subtle in their substance they are also performed on an array of instruments which demonstrates that following the crowd certainly isn't what this band are going for. 'I'm not calling you a liar' follows this theme but without the ninja hooks of the preceeding singles. Then 'Kiss with a fist' makes a hell of a racket with all its DIY charm before the album shifts to a middle section which acts as a showcase for FATM's raw vocal talent and songwriting skills. The pick of this middle section is 'the girl with one eye' in which the vocal reigns are left dangling. However with so many tricks let out of the box so early I was left feeling ambivalence towards the rest of the album. Lyrically the album has some good narratives (my boy makes coffins)and a dollop of warm twee (breath between two lungs) but is ultimately not memorable.

This album serves as a classic example of the fact that some things can end up being less than the sum of their parts. There are few bad tracks here and many excellent ones but somehow when listened to in succession boredom sets in. However, along with the simular Bat for Lashes the ambition shown should be applauded. 6/10.