Amazon.co.uk Review
Hot on the heels of their shock No.1 single "I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor",
Whatever People Say I Am, Thats What Im Not confirms Sheffields Arctic Monkeys as the UK undergrounds most proselytising young preachers of the DIY gospel. Marrying nervy, caffeine-and-cigarettes indie clatter to conversational, pretence-free lyrics and the occasional burst of off-the-cuff eloquence--"No time for Montagues or Capulets/Just banging tunes and DJ sets", proffers "
Dancefloor"--its an instant, pulse-racing hit.
No question, the Monkeys are more sinners than saints. The opening "The View From The Afternoon" predicts a ruckus with a whole lot more grit than the Kaisers can muster, while on the mellow "Riot Van", a tale of underage drinking and cop-baiting culminates in a messy beating in the back of a station-wagon. Look beyond the Arctics bristly, laddish exterior, however, because its actually affairs of the heart that comprise this albums secret core: see the sweaty-palmed "Dancing Shoes", bearing testament to the trial of nerves that is pulling in a suburban indie nightclub, or "Mardy Bum"--tribute to a moody girlfriend that, for all its witty barbs ("Ive seen your frown and its like looking down the barrel of a gun"), is tinted with sweet affection.--Louis Pattison
CD Description
Debut album from Sheffield-born quartet the Arctic Monkeys.Even before the release of this first offering, the band were being touted as the next big thing. With their mix of melodic pop, fused with a punk-garage edge, their sound appealsto the alternative rock crowd. Their first single. 'I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor', which went straight in at No.1 in the UK singles chart, is included.