CD of The Week

The boys from Sheffield are back with their fourth album in their short 5 year existence. Like their other records, this has record has a quirky title, Suck It and See. (Depending on how you think of it, it can be considered crude as well. So crude, in fact, that some big box stores in this country plan on censoring the title while on the shelf!) Title aside, Arctic Monkeys have made their fourth record with more of a calming, typical Brit rock sound, despite what the first single “Don’t Sit Down ‘Cause I Moved Your Chair” may have prepared you for.

After the critical reaction to their previous record Humbug, Alex Turner and company returned to producer James Ford, who worked on their first two records. But instead of going back with the fast, adrenaline pumping sound that Monkeys fans are used to, Suck It goes in the direction of a middle of the road, typical Brit rock album. This is slightly disappointing because that fast, rocking sound they had made them who they are. But, the move kind of makes sense as the band has to evolve, and putting out another Favourite Worst Nightmare would be back stepping a bit.

The record starts with a soothing, melodic track called “She’s Thunderstorms,” which sets the table for the rest of album, without too many twists or turns. “Brick By Brick” comes out of no where, and sounds a little rougher and darker, and “Library Pictures” definitely reverts back the sound we’re used to hearing from them. “Piledriver Waltz” originally appeared on the soundtrack for the film Submarine, which Turner wrote. It fits right in with its calming sound. The gem of the album is the final song, “That’s Where You’re Wrong.” With its cool, catchy guitars, and stellar vocals (which Turner does a fantastic job with as usual throughout the album), it’s a gorgeous song that is a great ending to good album.

I have a feeling a lot of Arctic Monkeys purists are going to see Suck It and See as the band going soft or mainstream. That’s not the case. They’re moving along and this album is a good step for the band. Though it will never touch the brilliance of their first two, it will go down as one of their better records.