The Review

Issue date: 4/24/07 Section: Mosaic

Media Credit: Courtesy of Amazon.com [Click to enlarge]

"Favourite Worst Nightmare"
Arctic Monkeys
Domino
Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)

England's Arctic Monkeys return with its sophomore album, "Favourite Worst Nightmare," in the wake of its critically-acclaimed debut, 2006's "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not." While its introduction to the public consisted of upbeat songs aimed to bring people to the dance floor, "Favourite Worst Nightmare" showcases heavier tones and newfound maturity - a rare feat for any group of 21-year-olds to accomplish.

While it's surprising to hear Arctic Monkeys have matured thematically, it must come with an important caveat - it's not maturity in a John Denver sense, but more like the maturity showcased when one decides not to take that last shot of tequila at the end of the night. Lead singer and lyricist Alex Turner still waxes about going out and picking up girls, but rather than bragging about a one-night stand, he laments about long-term relationships and breaking up.

The shift into pseudo-adulthood is exemplified on "Fluorescent Adolescent" and "Do Me A Favour." The former, over Clash-inspired guitars, witnesses Turner singing about the domestication of an obsessive partier ("You used to get it in your fishnets / Now you only get it in your night dress / Discarded all the naughty nights for niceness"), while the latter sees his hard work fall to pieces ("It's these times that it tends / The start to breaking up / The start to fall apart / Hold on to your heart").

While the foray into ballads shines, Arctic Monkeys could not forget to include the type of songs that made the band popular in the first place. Lead single "Brianstorm" thunders from the start, propelled by frenetic drums provided by Matt Helders, and "Teddy Picker" incorporates a call-and-response verse that is sure to be exploited at future concerts. "Favourite Worst Nightmare" is not without fault, however, with "Only Ones Who Know" dragging the album to a three-minute standstill that takes time from which to recoup.

With "Favourite Worst Nightmare," Arctic Monkeys attempt to push its limits and grow up, which it succeeds in doing to a near-flawless result.

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