Those expecting the third album from the Arctic Monkeys to simply
rehash the post-punk dance-floor fodder of their first two albums will
be disappointed. Humbug retains singer Alex Turner’s distinctive
vocals and the signature angular guitars. But many songs travel into
new musical territory. “Dangerous Animals” features a propulsive
staccato delivery as Turner yelps, “You should have racing stripes/The
way you keep me in pursuit,” while “Dance Little Liar” approaches
psychedelic, eschewing edgy beats for atmospheric sound and muffled
vocals. “Crying Lightening” is typical Arctic Monkeys — Turner
makes obvious rhymes in his pronounced British accent as the song
becomes more frenetic and the chorus’ hook kicks in. Because it’s so
schizophrenic, Humbug isn’t exactly a direct evolution from
2007’s raucous Favourite Worst Nightmare. But it reveals some
new facets of Arctic Monkeys’ musical personality. The album’s best
moment comes when Turner shrieks, “What came first, the chicken or the
dickhead?” on “Pretty Visitors.” That lyric alone has to count for
something. — Emily Zemler
This article appears in Aug 26 – Sep 1, 2009.
