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Joined: Wed January 02, 2013 2:23 am Posts: 3648 Location: The In Between
this album feels strange because we've had do i wanna for several months and r u mine? for over a year. it's too bad, really, because this is a mood album and those songs fit it perfectly yet, at least for now, stick out from the other tracks. i still think they're a one-two combo as good as any one-two combo to start an album. they've been discussed in this thread already, so i'll leave them.
3. one of the road - this is the song i'm least sure of. it's cool, without question, and it fits right in with the tone and mood of the entire album, but i think this song needs the album more than many of the other tracks do. as a stand alone song, i don't think it would impress too many people. on the album, it feels essential and leads nicely into the next track.
4. arabella - my word, this song is great. i think it's up there with r u mine? for the best all around song on the album. in the humbug, sias, am run of albums, this is a top 5 track, and that's saying a lot.
5. i want it all - if you're familiar with all of am's work, you're immediately reminded of the r u mine? b-side electricity. i enjoy having a new song, but in the modern world of playlists and mp3s, i'd drop i want it all and put electricity in its place.
6. no. 1 party anthem - what a beautiful song. it makes me want to relive the days when i'd slow dance with girls i thought i might fall in love with. it's the prettiest track they've done since the bakery, maybe ever, and i think it'd be best as this album's closer. i would love for them to start closing shows with this.
7. mad sounds - this isn't a bad song. in fact, it gets really great at 2:11 when it hits you with an ooh la la la. the problem is it comes immediately after a superior song with the same slow tempo. it really kind of kills the album's momentum. if it was the lone slow song in the middle, like riot act, i think it would be appreciated more.
8. fireside - i'd cut this song entirely. it isn't bad either, but it's a last shadow puppets song on an arctic monkeys record. so i'd swap this for the new b-side stop the world cuz i want to get off with you. that is another classic how the hell is this a b-side track, and it would fit nicely between mad sounds and the next track.
9. why'd you only call me when you're high? - this song is stupid, and i love it. it's a little hip hop and really catchy. it's a silly song that doesn't sound silly somehow, and i'm not sure how they pulled off.
10. snap out of it - another really catchy song. i wish i liked this one more. something about it just feels kind of underdeveloped. it will be fun live.
11. knee socks - well, this has probably my favorite lyrics. then there is homme doing his bowie impression. and the chorus riff sounds bossy. i like this one a lot.
12. i wanna be yours - this is a pretty song, but it feels like a b-side to me. sort of like baby, i'm yours. i like it, but it's about as arctic monkeys as diamonds are forever.
so as the album is tracked, i'd say it's a 7. with electricity and stop the world substituting for i want it all and fireside, and with no. 1 party anthem moved to the end, i think it's a solid 9. i really hope the next album leaves this moody music behind in favor of an album of 12 tracks that sound like evil twin.
Joined: Wed February 06, 2013 2:47 am Posts: 17536 Location: Scooby Doo
Good write up daft. I've only hear it twice and there are some great moments and tracks but it feels a bit hollow, without balls. I like that they've gone all in on this production and live will be a different beast but I want one or two darker heavier tracks.
Some great melodies though. I'll write more after I've lived with it more.
i still cant decide what tracks are my favorite, not because i love them, but because they feel very similar. Im not a big Arctic Monkeys fan but i really dig what they are trying to do here.
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