Arctic Monkeys — Favourite Worst Nightmare

Favourite Worst Nightmare

Domino/Outside

Angela Kozak (CHARTattack)

04/24/2007 7:43pm

Considering how quickly the Arctic Monkeys rose to fame, it's hardly surprising they've already changed so much since last year's debut album. Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not reflected the band's adolescence through hyperactive, hip-hop-inspired rock about growing up in north England, all of which is a lot less evident in Favourite Worst Nightmare. As a whole, this record is tighter, fuller and a lot moodier, sticking closer to the darker tones of "Vampires" than the poppier "Mardy Bum." Funky bass lines pilot choppy tracks "Teddy Picker" and "Balaclava," whereas "Brianstorm" and "Do Me A Favour" are souped-up and aggressive. The band's character sketches are here too, but even they have grown into stories about thieves, adultery and empty dreams. The only song on here that would have fit in with their first release is standout "Fluorescent Adolescent," which revisits and improves the Monkeys' older formula of caustic narrative mixed with clever guitar rock. Though considerably less marketable than their debut album, Favourite Worst Nightmare is a fuller and more developed effort from a band growing at an alarmingly fast rate. If people can't deal with their departure from wide-eyed angular newbies, it's their loss.