The Last Word: Arctic Monkeys’ “Nightmare” Is Upon Us

Brian Raftery | April 24, 2007 10:30 am
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Every week, we round up the all-important, all-summarizing last sentences of the biggest new-music reviews. Today’s entry is Arctic Monkeys’ just-released Favourite Worst Nightmare:

– “The new songs are more melodic and even more meticulous than before. Arctic Monkeys have almost ruled out standard punk strumming. Instead they have zeroed in on the counterpoint of the two guitars, neatly separated on left and right channels and clawing fiercely at each other. The songs take pride in that bitter clarity.” [NY Times] – “Whether it’s the melancholy guitar haze of “Only Ones You Know” or the skittering rhythms of “This House Is a Circus,” Nightmare is the sound of a band building on its musical strengths in intelligent, original ways. Let’s hope the musical maturity spills over into the lyrics next time around.” [Salon] – “But most of Nightmare sounds confident, unlabored and just plain good — English cool without English bullshit. The Arctic Monkeys are the new Arctic Monkeys.” [Rolling Stone]