Arctic Monkeys: Suck It And See

Arctic Monkeys
Suck It And See
Domino Records [2011]









Fire Note Says: Arctic Monkeys continue to evolve and create another grower on fourth album Suck It And See!

Album Review:
Back in April of 2006, I kicked an idea around about starting a music review blog and needed a stellar record to start the madness. Well, that first review happened on April 10 and the stellar record was Arctic Monkeys Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not. Now it is 2011 and the Arctic Monkeys are on album number four and, like The Fire Note, I would say that both have aged gracefully. Suck It And See (means "give it a try" in English terms) is the most lyrically mature record the band has recorded, while the music also feels and sounds more focused, reserved and fragile. This is definitely not a bad thing but if you were really into the Arctic Monkeys high adrenaline songs like their hit "I Bet You Good On The Dance Floor" then Suck It And See might be more of a challenge because this record does not hit nearly as direct because it lacks that one massive single but when you evaluate its full 40 minute running time after several spins the record gets stronger and stronger. Much of this comes from frontman Alex Turner, as his vocals are highlighted more in front, which gives a big spotlight to his sharper than ever lyrical charm. For Suck It And See the band returned to their producer main man James Ford and left Josh Homme but his influence runs deep here as several songs including first single "Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair" and "All My Own Stunts" features a hard driving rock edge. The later even features Homme on background vocals. The Arctic Monkeys represent one of the first true Internet bands that jumped to fame thanks to MySpace. When you have a debut like that you will always be trying to catch your tail but after 5 years the Arctic Monkeys are still around and not only putting out some of their best "album" material yet on Suck It And See but also are making a strong statement here that they won't be going anywhere anytime soon!

Key Tracks: "Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair", "She's Thunderstorms", "Love Is A Laserquest"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Pixies
Supergrass
The Jam

Arctic Monkeys: Humbug [Fire Note Review 9/14/09]
Arctic Monkeys: Favourite Worst Nightmare [Fire Note Review 4/24/07]
Arctic Monkeys: Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not [4/10/06]

Arctic Monkeys Website
Arctic Monkeys MySpace
Arctic Monkeys Facebook
Domino Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony