ranking every arctic monkeys album

no one asked for this... however, i've spent the past 2 weeks listening to every arctic monkeys album, from start to finish. here are my thoughts:

I want to preface this by saying I am no expert in music or album reviews. That being said, today, I will be pretending.

left: copyright 2007; right: copyright 2019.

The inspiration for this Arctic Monkeys deep dive came to me during a late-night Uber ride. I asked my friend — who’s probably the biggest Arctic Monkeys fan I know — to rank each Arctic Monkeys album in order of his personal preference. When he struggled to do so, but managed, the question was turned on me. I was forced to reconcile with the fact I could not give an informed answer at that precise moment. Thus bore the inspiration of my listening to each album, in order, all the way through, to reach this conclusion.

This sonic experience was a nostalgic, introspective journey through the Arctic Monkeys’ discography. I entered, thinking I had a clear view of my ranking. During, I realized, this venture would be tougher than I initially imagined. I emerged, surprised by my own conclusions.

So, without further ado, here is my personal ranking of each Arctic Monkeys’ album*:

1. Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not

2. Suck it & See

3. Favourite Worst Nightmare

4. (Tie) The Car / AM

6. Humbug

7. Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino

*for alternate ranking not ruled by personal bias, see end of story.

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Explanation:

I write as if I am on trial here. I am prepared to face backlash from friends, family, men who will ask me to name three songs by the Arctic Monkeys in protest…. The point is, I am taking a stance, and, for now, standing by it.

1. Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not

This album gave birth to an era of rock music. The Arctic Monkeys did what all bands aspire to do, they created an original sound. Listening again, it’s remarkable; it’s perfectly executed the gritty rock n’ roll sound and the clarity of a concept album. This is the Arctic Monkeys.

Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not is a debut album for sure — a bunch of rowdy teenagers in the UK nightclub scene on various nights out. You feel the nightlife experience sonically throughout the album. You’re on the dance floor, in an argument with bouncers, inside the cab on the way home. You can see the red lights and feel the pheromones. You can hear the anger and the desire. The gritty melodies, the unapologetic lyricism — it’s the experience of young adulthood. You feel it once, only to never feel the same again.

Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not speaks to young, rebellious teenagers and to everyone who has ever lived as a young adult for the first time. Here you see just what the band is capable of. It surprises and satisfies you. It leaves you wondering, what will they do next? This is why this album is number one. The music. The concept. It’s individual. It’s timeless.

Skips: None.

2. Suck it & See

Big, big personal bias’ being inflicted here. Going into this review, Suck it & See was my #1 Arctic Monkeys album. However, though Suck it & See has a collection of great songs (hardly any skips in my opinion), as a whole, it’s not the best. That being said, overall, it is still one of my favorite Arctic Monkeys’ albums released.

The album’s title — a British colloquialism for “give it a try” — signifies the departure from the sound present in prior albums. Suck it & See was the band giving new sounds, new music, a try.

I think Suck it & See demonstrates the bands potential to bend the rock 'n roll genre. Some of the songs (“Brick by Brick”, “Library Pictures”, “All My Own Stunts”) echo the earlier, gritty garage-rock melodies, while also introducing a more glam-rock & psychedelic-pop sound. The new sound, paired with Turner’s thoughtful lyricism, creates an album unlike any of their others. The album is a coming of age, rock n’ roll love story.

The latter half of the record gives you lovesick-loser ballad, “Piledriver Waltz”; existentialist, “Love is a Laserquest”; the titular title, “Suck it and See” (let’s finally find out); and the carefully calculated riddle, “That’s Where You’re Wrong”. These are personally some of my favorite penned songs by Turner. The lyrics of “That’s Where You’re Wrong” will forever play in my soul, and the guitar solo will forever live in my bones.

If I could own any Arctic Monkeys’ record on vinyl, it would still be Suck it & See. I mean, do you still think love is a laserquest? Or do you take it all more seriously?

Skips: Don’t Sit Down ‘Cause I’ve Moved Your Chair.

3. Favourite Worst Nightmare

Favourite Worst Nightmare. What a name for an album. Part of me wanted to let this record take number two because it’s arguably the most timeless album the band has produced. Their sound and lyricism has matured. This release was more than a follow-up, it was a leap forward. The Arctic Monkeys mastered the art of keeping audiences on their toes, never knowing what to expect. Perhaps Favourite Worst Nightmare was the band saying, now that we’ve got your attention, let’s surprise you again.

The sophomore album is a polished follow-up, harnessing a more electric garage-rock sound, giving a sneak peak into the emotional depth the band is capable of — with tracks “Only Ones Who Know” and “505”. The album combines jumpy, ambient-rock beats with slower, melancholy melodies.

This ambient, garage-rock sound feels more calculated and elevated, working with, rather than against, Turner’s vocals. There’s an ominous feeling throughout the album that makes you feel as if you’re living in some upside-down, electric nightmare (with a great soundtrack).

Insecurities, confusion, lust, loneliness — each song torments you with the uncomfortable truths you refuse to face while awake. You’re being haunted by the anxiety-inducing probability of what your world would look like if you were no longer able to keep these feelings under wraps. You’re running through a haunted house, being chased by your subconscious. (The beat and melodies in “Do Me a Favor”, “This House Is A Circus”, “If You Were There Beware”, and “Old Yellow Bricks” especially evoke this feeling).

Skips: Again, none.

4. The Car / AM

I’ll be honest, when I first listened to The Car in its entirety, I didn’t like it. It wasn’t until my third, complete listen that I realized, Holy shit. This is a great album. The vocal inflections, the emphasis on key words in harmony with the orchestra, it is poetry; it is fine art; it is the Arctic Monkeys once again bending the rock genre.

Originally intended to be another rock record, like AM, the band started to work on The Car after touring for Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino. In an interview with BBC radio, Turner and Helders said, “By the time we got to the studio by the end of that year… what we’re we on about?” However, Turner also believes that there are moments on this album where the rock band is there. And I completely agree.

It’s a visual album. It’s perhaps a metaphorical take on what you talk about in a car.

I would also wager to argue Turner’s lyricism on The Car is as polished and strong as ever. “Is there something on your mind? or are you just happy to sit there and watch as the paint job dries?” (c’mon!)

This album almost shouldn’t work, but it does, flawlessly. From tragic, ballroom ballad, “Mirrorball” to swanky “I Ain’t Quite Where I Think I Am” to ominous “Sculptures”, it’s a sonic road-trip demonstrating the bands musical evolution. Every influence the band has ascribed credit to, comes together to create The Car.

When I first heard “Mirrorball” I had no idea what to expect. I heard melodies reminiscent of lovesick ballads on Suck it & See, the same sincerity of Favorite Worst Nightmare, with the musical evolution present in Tranquility Base.

“Mirrorball” felt personal, almost like an apology for not writing another rock ‘n roll / AM reminiscent record. The line, “yesterday’s still leaking through the roof” entreats us. Assuring, if we listen, we’ll see the rock band we love is in this record. Turner asks us to accompany him to The Car and come with him on this journey. He’s not aiming to plead to, or please, us. He’s asking us not to get emotional, but to experience, feel, and, ultimately, understand. Together, we’re slow dancing, easing into the unknown once again.

Skips: Arguably none due to its flow as a project; however, if push comes to shove, “Hello You” or “The Car”

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If you were alive during the years 2013-2014 there is a 99% probability you recognize this album — even if you’ve never heard it. This album defined an entire generation of angry, depressed, love-sick teens and young adults.

Without AM, there is no tumblr era. The record became a symbol for every alternative teenager on tumblr in 2013-14. With lyrics like “if you like your coffee hot; let me be your coffee pot”? Hundred-thousand notes, easy. Every girl bought a pair of knee socks and fishnet stockings and deluded themselves into thinking they could assume the character “Arabella”. The melodies ooze longing and sex-appeal. The intro to “R U Mine” can only be described as sonic sex. Instant arousal.

The structure of AM is reminiscent of the first album. When I listen, I feel like I’m on one long bender of a night out again, but this time, more tired and bitter. The thrill of long nights spent out has dimmed, but the lust is still there, burning bright.

The psychedelic, hard-rock sound — with a hint of blues — takes over. Recorded as a studio album, AM focused on creating nuance instrumentally, including organ keyboards and a vintage drum machine. This is the Arctic Monkeys most romantic album. (And, arguably one of their best from a production standpoint).

AM gave girls the belief that they possessed the power to snap a man in half by walking into a room. Where would we be without it?

Skips: None. Technically this album should have no skips to honor the quality of production; however, this album was so overplayed that sometimes I have to skip certain tracks.

6. Humbug

   1. (Sorry, Arif)

For the record, I do love this album. Just because it’s number six on the list doesn’t mean I have anything bad to say about the album either. Aside from their debut Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not, Humbug is a true rock ‘n roll album.

Humbug expands on the ambient tone of Favourite Worst Nightmare with a darker, seedier scoring. The project as a whole appears more jaded than the Arctic Monkeys’ prior albums.

Third albums are tricky, particularly if the prior two projects have accumulated massive commercial success. This album is kind of funky. Listening is a journey. You’re not really sure where you’re going, but you’re going forward somehow.

This album feels more personal. Listening to Humbug I feel like I’m inside the bands head. This album is a sensory experience. I re-listened to Humbug on a cold, rainy Sunday evening while walking around lower Manhattan. It was an almost hallucinogenic, rock ‘n roll acid trip. As if the album was the soundtrack to my brain.

Humbug lands lower on the list only because, for me, it doesn’t flow as well as the Arctic Monkeys other albums. I like it, I respect it, but I don’t love it. It’s not the first work to come to mind when discussing the bands musical impact on my life.

7. Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino

I love a concept album. I love the idea of Alex, Matt, Jamie, and Nick as lords of an abandoned, space-like hotel, Alex singing about the demise of society…. I want to love this album. But I just don’t, and it feels sacrilegious.

In defense of Tranquility Base, “Anyways”, a b-side track that didn’t make it onto the album, is a hidden lyrical and music gem. It professes an image of a man performing on a well-dressed stage to an audience of no one paying attention, or, perhaps, no one. It sums up the bands experience making music. They’ve grown tired of the constant competition and chase of fame, feeling like “just another microcosm” on “…just another race to anyways”.

Tired of turning out love songs, Turner wrote Tranquility Base seeking inspiration from science fiction films and the general state of society. The lyrics are blunt awarenesses told in a stream of consciousness.

The band has long attributed musical influence to David Bowie. This influence comes through strongly in Tranquility Base. It’s about existentialism; the past, present and future; and the disillusionment of the music world. It captures the unknown feeling of space travel and the cynical sentiment of Orwell’s 1984. It’s so in this world it’s out of it. The point of the album feels nicely summed up in “Four out of Five”.

It’s so much it almost loses me.

Tranquility Base is the bands most human album. My favorite song on the album is “One Point Perspective”. I imagine an unemployed, underwear-clad Turner, dancing around a hotel room singing about how he’s “going to run for government. It reads like a drunken midlife crisis, yelling at anyone who will listen.

The more research I do on this album, the more I appreciate it. However, for now, it’s still ranks seven overall on my list.

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I’m sure you disagree with some, if not all, of my sentiments. What would you change? What’s your ranking? I’m curious. Let me know in the comments.

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1. Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not 

2. AM

3. Favourite Worst Nightmare

4. The Car

5. Humbug

6. Suck it & See 

7. Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino