Here it is, what we have all been waiting for. Such anticipation surrounded the making of this album it made a lot of people almost burst when they heard of its near arrival. The Sheffield boys decided to go off and work with one of their heroes, Mr Josh Homme. They recorded the majority of it in the Mojave Desert, setting up camp in Hommes studio for a number of weeks. The coming together of the UKs most promising young band with US Alternative Rock royalty is what dreams are made of. Does it live up to all the hype surrounding its production, yes it does, but only just.
Lets take you back to Favourite Worst Nightmare. The Monkeys second album which was well received with critical acclaim when it was released. It had a heavier sound throughout its track listing, with crashing drums and riffs that ripped through you and made you dance all at the same time. The influence for this sound was one of their favourite bands, Queens Of The Stone Age. They talked a lot about how watching QOTSA live really changed their outlook on recording and writing songs. It definitely gave them a harder sound and with James Ford on production they kept that dancefloor feel too.
So we move forward and the band are at that difficult third album stage in their careers. A make or break moment in any bands career, where they can either churn out more of the same or something that bit different to give them that edge. Thankfully they did the latter, and they did that by shipping off to the States and having Homme in the production chair. Was it worth it? This writer thinks so but at the cost of some of their supporters, and here’s why.
On the first listen of Humbug you can hear where Hommes influence has not only crept in but totally revamped the original sound of the last two albums. Its heavier, more grown-up and it grabs you by the balls when you least expect it. But what you do lose is solid structure, smash hit singles and, dare I say it, Britishness. It ticks allot of the right boxes for me as an album but there’s something missing that I still haven’t been able to put my finger on yet!
Opening track is My Propeller, a driving, pummeling track that starts off with crashing drums and then settles into a Western themed soundtrack. This song does what a lot of this album does and that’s create atmosphere. We then go straight into the first single, Crying Lighting. In my opinion the only real stand out single on the whole album. Lyrically this tune twists and turns, from innocent young love. “And my thoughts got rude, as you talked and chewed, on the last of your pick and mix” to a more mature psychedelic edge in the chorus.
“Your past-times, consisted of the strange
And twisted and deranged
And I love that little game you had called
Crying lightning ”
The next standout track for me was Potion Approaching. This song has Hommes magic touch all over it, screaming at you like a QOTSA album. Hard beating drum fills, and mad guitar riffs all in the right places. I don’t think this track would have been as good if it was produced by anyone else. It has a mad structure too, which just makes this song even more endearing for the listener.
Fire And The Thud comes next. Not so much of an amazing song, but worth mentioning just for the fact that Alison Mosshart from The Kills/Dead Weather give us some amazing haunting backing vocals. The album then just ticks along nicely till we reach Pretty Visitors. This is where angry Alex Turner raises his ugly head and gives us a visceral spit. “What came first, the chicken or the dickhead?, Split sleep reaps rewards and ill fitting thoughts” sings Turner. Hes on the attack and its reminiscent of ‘Who The F*ck Are Arctic Monkeys era. The band attacking their critics and non-believers. Pretty Visitors has power, drive and a sucker punch that’s ready to knock you out!
Overall I think Humbug is a very accomplished album, with great songs and strong production values. Its dark, driven and psychedelic at times, things that previous efforts did not have. But I have worked out whats missing, its The Arctic Monkeys themselves. As much I love the idea of these two musical powerhouses working together, Homme is just the more powerful. Its a touch overbearing in places and lacks much original Monkeys music that we know and love. Some fans are dissapointed with this album already, but what I would say is stick with it. Allow such a great band to evolve like they have and you will definitely appreciate what they have achieved. This writer certainly thinks it some of their finest work but it just doesnt feel like home.
(Peter Cornish-Barlow)
