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List Price: $13.98 | | Label: Domino
Salesrank: 600
Released: August 25, 2009 |
| Our Price: $8.74 |
| Used Price: $7.25 |
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| Media: Audio CD |
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Humbug Track Listing:
1. My Propeller
2. Crying Lightning
3. Dangerous Animals
4. Secret Door
5. Potion Approaching
6. Fire and the Thud
7. Cornerstone
8. Dance Little Liar
9. Pretty Visitors
10. The Jeweller's Hand
Editorial Review:
'Humbug,' the 3rd album from Sheffield's Arctic Monkeys finds the band brimming with vim, vigor and new ideas. They brought in a new production accomplice, Josh Homme, for some of the recording. He generously hosted and produced tracks with them at his Joshua Tree studio. Then they rejoined forces with James Ford, producer of the previous 2 Arctic Monkeys and Last Shadow Puppets albums, in Brooklyn, NY to complete the tracks that became 'Humbug.' The album is stunning set of songs both heavier and lush than previous albums but still full of the Monkeys usual punch and vitality.
Humbug Reviews:
Humbug is ho hum 
2009-12-09 - This album was a bit of a letdown. It doesn't have the edge that the other albums. It is pretty slow and even boring at times. It sounds like the band is trying to reinvent it's sound. They definitely have a different vibe going on, it's just not one that I like.
They Grew Up, Musicly 
2009-11-13 - Ok first off I have alot of musical intrest. The Artic Monkeys fit somewhere between The Strokes and The Hives in my book. However I also love Queens of the Stone Age, front man Josh Homme produced most of this album at Rancho de la Luna, where the Desert Sessions are Recorded.
Ok now if you know both of these bands you know they sound nothing alike, but this cd is a conjunction of the two. You have a generally slower tempo, darker sound and lyrics, and trippy slide guitar work. The reason I loved the artic monkeys was the same reason I liked the hives, something you could dance to so to speak. Upbeat. I think they probably alienated a lot of listeners who knew them before for this reason. Its just not the same.
Having said all that, musicly i find this cd fantastic. To be honest it did take a few listens, but the lyrics and the perfect timing of subtle guitar riffs will just blow you away. The bass lines are perfectly fit into the music, nothing over powers or is lost in the translation. If I had to put what they did into a phrase it would be: They grew up.
Fine Contender for Best of '09 
2009-10-27 - I picked this album up out of impulse, and I was largely rewarded. I had heard no Arctic Monkeys beforehand, but this album has had a lot of praise. So I bought it, and after a few listens the whole album nearly grew on me. It sounds like a more mystical Queens of the Stone Age/Muse. At first, like everyone else, I didn't really dig it, but after a while I couldn't stop listening to it. The whole album is filled with phenomenal bass and drums complimented with catchy guitar riffs and dark melodies. Instrumentally its an amazing album. The frontman had to grow on me, but by now I'm singing all the songs with him.
So I'll agree with the rest of the reviews and say, Let the album grow on you. The only songs i liked right off the bat were "Dangerous Animals" and "Dance Little Liar". I will also say that those songs are the best on the cd, in my opinion. Other awesome tracks include "Pretty Visitors", "Crying Lightning", "Potion Approaching" and "Fire and the Thud." The album has a sort of moody stubborn style, which separates it from the formula rock albums. The concept of the album is what keeps you listening to it. It an album that moves you slowly but steadily.
Songs like "Cornerstone" and "The Jeweller's Hands" are yet to grow on me and I doubt they will.
This being my first Arctic Monkeys album, I'm quite impressed. I hope to pick up more of their cds in the future, because they seem like the type of band to always bring something new to the table. This album has a unique concept and it doesn't sound like any regular rock album. They have, possibly, the best bassist and drummer out there in the business right now. This album is a huge success and is now largely owned by way more than just their fan base. I had no previous experience in listening to this band, and now i gotta say that I'm a fan. I listen to bands who are concerned with making art instead of selling cds. Arctic Monkeys are true artists and this album is a beautiful work of art.
Punchy and Peppy
2009-10-03 - Like most reviewers of Humbug, I am quite delighted by this new Arctic Monkeys effort. It certainly proves to me that the band has staying power. The CD is not particularly long, but you get ten mostly excellent punchy, peppy songs and the great delivery fans have gotten used to. My favorites are: My Propeller, which to me is evocative of 60s "underground" rock; the driving Crying Lightning; the brief but pounding Potion Approaching; another pounder with Pretty Visitors, and The Jeweller's Hands which I find to be Humbug's most interesting piece.
This CD is a fine collection of songs which should show the listener that rock music still has something new to say after all. Importantly, the booklet that accompanies the CD contains the lyrics. If you are not listening to the Arctic Monkeys, you are missing out.
Different sound
2009-09-30 - Product arrived quickly, in good condition, and I've had no issues
The Arctic Monkeys sound is growing up and it continues to rock
