I was actually going to avoid this CD after the 5th or 6th publication I picked up last week had an article about them (including Time Magazine, the NY Times, and my local paper). I hate over-hyped bands -- especially when it's their first album. But, the listening station at Tower had their CD on it, and I checked it out. It was pretty damn good, I bought it, and I've been listening to it over and over all week. I think they're really good. Interesting mix of punk, ska, some Peter Gunn style riffs, and Franz Ferdinand-style dance punk. Plus, some of the lyrics are pretty damn funny (or "cheeky" as the Brits would say). Anyone else pick it up yet?
Had to vote hype on what I've heard so far. They are getting a heavvy push from the important alt stations here in San Diego, but of the couple songs they play, I like them less after repeated listens instead of more. Too early to call is what I would have voted were it a choice. Thing is, no way I buy the lp on what I've heard so far. I really like the heavy Brit accent and that's about it.
Pure hype. The question regarding Arctic Monkeys is....will their record company make their payola money back through album sales, or some other way?
Hype. Not because of ripping off, just because I don't like their sound at all. I'll give em another try sometime, only heard a few of their songs once, but first impressions weren't good obviously.
The hype surrounding these guys is nothing, if they had not gone onto the internet and MADE their own fanbase before they were even signed to Domino. I think it is a great album full of catchy tunes, and it is a regular in my truck's cd rotation. "Riot Van" and "Perhaps Vampires is a Bit Strong But..." are my favorite tracks. This article is actually pretty good, saying they are an important band but have a ways to go before they are "great". http://en.chinabroadcast.cn/349/2006/02/28/60@56257.htm
Every new generation (every 3 years?) of rock music thinks it invented the sound. The Monkey's are a pretty good recyle, Jet was better. It's good stuff but not the 5th best rock album of all time or whatever it was hyped to be. But I'm for whatever it takes to keep the genre' alive. I keep telling you guys to listen to The Redwalls. They recycle The Beatles, Bowie and Stones in a very original way and they are only in their early 20's.
that's right oomp, they made their own hype to a large degree. i've been listening to the stuff for almost a year. i don't have the "proper" lp and wonder how it differs from the internet released tunes. hype is hype, it's not their fault they've exploded and are now in everyone's faces. it's easy to dismiss them because of that, but i think they deserve a better fate. their music, at least to my ears, is undeniably infectious. they are young, yes, but the guy writes witty lyrics and delivers the goods. the bands sound melds post punk with a bit of the hip-hop delivery of band like the streets. they are, if you remove the hoopla, simply a very exciting young band. the questions we should be asking are, how will the hype affect their progress? will they evolve in a natural way or will the buried in the hysteria?
Any band that is made up of a bunch of underage drunks who decided to start playing music a year ago gets my vote for BEST NEW ARTIST. Sincerely, The Grammys
I'm really not young enough. Fortunately I still enjoy smoking weed. It keeps me young inside my own mind.
