Arctic Monkeys - 'Humbug'
This week sees the release for the third studio album Arctic Monkeys on Domino Records produced by James Ford (Klaxons, Last Shadow Puppets) and Josh Homme (Queens Of The Stone Age, Eagles Of Death Metal). I have to admit to getting caught up in the Arcitc Monkeys hysteria during their meteoric rise to fame back in 2006, not much would get me on the dancefloor at the Student Union but I couldn't resist a bit of the Monkeys! Since then however I have been distinclty underwhelmed by them. 'Favourite Worst Nightmare' was a reasonable enough album with some good songs but too many average ones. 'Humbug' sees the Arctic Monkeys starting to experiment a bit more. The things that make them distinctive are still there but there is less of the sing-along anthems and more of a desert rock feel (Josh Homme style!). Die hard Monkeys fans are probably going to find it less accessible but I respect them for not sticking to a formula and hope it pays off for them.
http://open.spotify.com/album/7814s6n0s7Kxbiue0oatgv
Athlete - 'Black Swan'
The fourth studio album is released this week on Fiction Records with production by Tom Rothrock (Elliott Smith, Elbow, Badly Drawn Boy). Say what you like about Athlete but they are good at what they do, which is producing radio friendly rock for the masses. They don't really break any new ground with this album but it is a perfectly enjoyable listen! It is definately an improvement on 2007's 'Beyond The Neighbourhood'.
http://open.spotify.com/album/5WZoFgfWhUK0ZmcK3tp58R
Mew - 'No More Stories...'
The Danish band's fifth studio album is released on Sony and produced by Rich Costey (Muse, Cave In, Franz Ferdinand). This is their first album since they became a three piece after the departure of bass player Johan Wohlert who wanted to spend more time with his family. The full name of the album is 'No More Stories Are Told Today I'm Sorry They Washed Away No More Stories The World Is Grey I'm Tired Let's Wash Away'. The new album is a move away from the darker sounds of previous album 'And the Glass Handed Kites' to a more upbeat, dancier sound. Mew are always an incredibly inventive band of clearly talented musicians so do check them out http://open.spotify.com/album/32CkjGpwOpJ69IuJqiKT69
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