Artic Monkeys - Humbug (Album Review)

I shan't keep you long with this one, as you've probably already got it. I heard this album quite a while before it came out last week, and its taken quite a while to get my head round it, but for those that aren't aware: Sheffield's finest return with their ridiciously anticipated third album. Spending most of their time recording in the desert with 'Queens Of The Stone Age' front man 'Josh Homme', it comes as no surprise that the foursome have returned with a desert rock record, with some of the mellowist moments we've heard from the Monkeys, (Secret Door, Cornerstone) and some of the heavist too (Dangerous Animals, Pretty Visitors). Something elese that has changed within the bands sound is the lyrical themes and vocal delivery of front man Alex Turner. Turner has swapped the heavily northern accented, cheeky chappy, everyday obeservations from the albums 1 and 2 for slightly more personal yet colloquial approach to his lyrics with a much more sultry and soulful vocal delivery. And with this new sound, on lead single 'Crying Lightning' and album highlight 'Dangerous Animals' Mr Turner is actually sounding (dare I say it) quite sexy, (key quote "lets make a mess, lioness") all the more reason for the indie chicks to fall back in love with him, now with added his stoner-rock long locks...

In short, this is the sound of band growing up, and although this is not as imediate as their previous efforts and doesn't seem to offer as many singles, it does sound like a band on the brink of something big, and for the most part is a solid effort. I am certianly not giving up on them yet, just you wait til' album four!

Rating: 7/10
Download: Dangerous Animals, Pretty Visitors, My Propeller