Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not, Kai

This week was my pick. I was torn between two schools of thought that Joe mentioned to me previously. A "show and tell" approach, whereby you pick your favorite album and get everyone to write about it, or a "let's try something new together" approach, whereby you pick an album you (and most likely others) have not heard of. I think the punk in me, awakened by last week's album, would have picked the "let's try something new together," but I couldn't resist picking my favorite album of all time. I put it out there, knowing others may criticize it, and brace for the reviews.

I love Arctic Monkeys—they are my favorite band. Their breakthrough album, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not, I think is fantastic, and one of the few albums I can listen through and genuinely enjoy every song. "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor," which is on this album, was really their breakthrough single, and is a great song. I ruined it somewhat for myself by playing it over, and over, and over, growing up, but I don't resent my younger self too much. "The View from the Afternoon" is a great kick-off to the album, and I would encourage people to watch the accompanying music video, which I really like. Perhaps one of my favorite songs on the album is the outro, "From the Ritz to the Rubble," to which I have most of the lyrics down by memory. 

I lived in Sheffield for three years, and as such feel a connection to Arctic Monkeys and their music. References to Sheffield and the surrounding areas in their music provide me with happy memories, as my time at University in Sheffield was a happy one, and trigger emotion in me being able to very clearly picture those areas in my mind. I had friends who lived in Hunter's Bar (referenced in their song "Fake Tales of San Francisco"). I have watched soccer at Hillsborough Stadium (Hillsborough is referenced in their song "Red Light Indicates Doors Are Secured"). I was also born close to Sheffield, and more broadly I spent a lot of time in the North of England growing up.

The timing of the album was also important for me. The general themes of clubbing, drinking, and romance, being sang about in late high school, heading into University, were ones I easily related to (I would remind everyone that the legal drinking age in the UK is eighteen). I think the similarities in themes I saw in my personal life, as well as geographical reference, will mean that the band and this album in particular will always hold a special place in my heart.

The style of Arctic Monkeys' music has evolved over time. I was disappointed when I was younger that the music post-Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not sounded different, but I have re-evaluated this now and look upon subsequent albums much more favorably than time gone passed. Whilst Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not is my personal pinnacle, AM is also a fantastic album, and Favourite Worst Nightmare is pretty good. I also appreciate more the relevance of timing as mentioned in the previous paragraph. For how long can a band sing about clubbing and young romance, and it still be relevant? I think music is better when you believe the singer really connects with what they are singing. In that sense, Arctic Monkeys have done well to expand their style.

To summarize: my favorite band and my favorite album. Whilst the accent may not be the most accessible for American listeners, I do hope people enjoyed the album pick.