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List Price: $13.98 | | Label: Domino Recordin
Salesrank: 213426
Released: February 21, 2006 |
| Our Price: $72.21 |
| Used Price: $61.92 |
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| Media: Vinyl |
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WHATEVER PEOPLE SAY I AM, THAT Track Listing:
1. View from the Afternoon
2. I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor
3. Fake Tales of San Francisco
4. Dancing Shoes
5. You Probably Couldn't See for the Lights But You Were Staring ...
6. Still Take You Home
7. Riot Van
8. Red Light Indicates Doors Are Secured
9. Mardy Bum
10. Perhaps Vampires Is a Bit Strong But...
11. When the Sun Goes Down
12. From the Ritz to the Rubble
13. Certain Romance
Editorial Review:
Musically, there are bits of The Stone Roses, "What's The Story Morning Glory", and "Nevermind". As catchy as those reference points are, it's the songwriting that has won the band a fiercely dedicated following; a mix of the observational storytelling of Davies and Weller crossed with the harsher documentary eye of Mike Skinner of The Streets and "Ghost Town" era Specials. Two #1 UK singles. Press already lined up with Rolling Stone, Spin, Entertainment Weekly, and Interview, to name a few. Three more US/Canadian tours planned for this year, including headlining Domino's label showcase at SXSW.
Description of WHATEVER PEOPLE SAY I AM, THAT:
Hot on the heels of their shock UK No. 1 single "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor", Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not confirms Sheffield's Arctic Monkeys as the UK underground's most proselytizing young preachers of the DIY gospel. Marrying nervy, caffeine-and-cigarettes indie clatter to conversational, pretense-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"), it's 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 it's actually affairs of the heart that comprise this album's 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"--a tribute to a moody girlfriend that, for all its witty barbs ("I've seen your frown and it's like looking down the barrel of a gun"), is tinted with sweet affection. --Louis PattisonWHATEVER PEOPLE SAY I AM, THAT Reviews:
Timeless Classic 
2009-11-19 - Anyone who is a fan of punk rock or indie, this album is a must-have. I have listened to it over a hundred times and each time it gets better. There are songs that command you to head bang like "The View From The Afternoon", "When The Sun Goes Down", and "I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor". "Riot Van" and "Mardy Bum" are great songs that are slower and more emotional. The rest of the songs are just as amazing. The Arctic Monkeys create their own style. The guitars and punchy bass are really their own- it sounds like nothing I have heard before.
Alex Turners vocals bring the whole album together. The lyrics are original and well written. I know the lyrics and it's tough to sing along because Turner sings with such emotion and cleverness.
Revelation: there must be two kinds of music listeners 
2009-09-30 - Yeah, just like many of you, bought this album based on reviews and all the gloat from the critics. I actually bought this album because it looked like people who like radiohead, interpol, arcade fire, and the likes, liked them too. I listened to this album about 20 times and it just isn't for me. I mean, I don't like anything about it, it actually irritates the [...]
I feel for the same thing with them, and would give their first album away if anyone wants it. What I'm beginning to realize, is that just like movie-goers, in the broadest terms, there must be two types of people who listen to and buy music: those who haven't been exposed and don't care to truly be exposed to great music, and those who have been exposed and now can't go back. Something like the Matrix (sorry for the over used metaphor). I understand music is subjective, but this isn't it, I mean, I can listen to some other bands who I don't particularly like, but I can understand why people would like them (black eyed peas, Coldplay, etc.), but then there are certain bands like this, who literally are crap compared to other bands in this genre or category, or taste. [....]
Based off of how many people enjoy this album and their new album, I don't want to say you won't like it, but if you have been exposed to amazing music... bands that have a soul and genius then you'll probably find this music lifeless and annoying as well. If you haven't and you think Franz Ferdananz is awesome, then for reasons beyond me, you'll probably love these guys.
Arctic Monkeys- Whatever People Say... 
2009-09-22 - Great album from these guys! I was hesitant to buy it at first, but once I listened to a couple of tracks I was hooked. Get it now!
Someday everyone will catch on...
2009-04-22 - This very British band is just an amazing mix of driving beats, vocals filled with whatever emotion is required of them, and lyrics that take on a number of subjects that usually require a more mature voice to be this good. I think it will take a few years before these guys hit their stride, but this debut has enough diversity and quality to leave you very satisfied. They might end up being too "English" for American tastes, but for me they really nailed it. Starting out with high energy numbers like "I Bet You Look Good on the Dance Floor" and "Fake Tales of San Francisco" set you up for a completely up tempo CD and then comes the quiet thoughtful reading of "Riot Van," where the tune totally belies the lyrics. Either the humor is spot on, in titles like "Perhaps Vampires is a bit Strong..." which is definitely not the sentiment in the song; or wicked social commentary is clearly expressed on songs like "When The Sun Goes Down." The band does a good job on both types. The only drawback is the music can occasionally get a bit repetitive with the same pounding guitars and drums for a few too many songs, but that's a minor complaint compared to what this band brings to the table; a fresh approach.
Noisy, Raw Fun
2009-03-03 - I debated whether to give this album the full five stars--I like it that much. It has a great, raw post-punk feel that was subsequently lost in Favorite Worst Nightmare, and that is not a good thing in my view. I think Arctic Monkeys, all of the hype surrounding them aside, are the best of the new British bands. They have a great tongue-in-cheek style and aren't as monotonous as bands like Franz Ferdinand. I highly recommend.
