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. Jeweller's Hands, The

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #88 in Music
• Released on: 2009-08-24
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .13 pounds

Amazon.co.uk Review
It’s clear from Humbug’s moody, languid opening track, "My Propeller", that the Arctic Monkeys have changed musical tack for album number three. Following the frenetic nature of Whatever People Say I Am… and Favourite Worst Nightmare, this change of direction was perhaps inevitable, but the band seem to have gone all out to trade in the urgent pop-punk riffs of yesteryear for a series of slower, murkier atmospheres conjured up by Queens of the Stone Age producer Josh Homme and James Ford (Simian Mobile Disco). The thumping, insistent drums, Doors-esque organ sounds and twanging, curling guitars create a Gothic/fairground sound that combines well with Turner’s northern brogue and cheeky (and sometimes absurd) lyricism, especially on catchy tracks like first single "Crying Lightning" and "Dangerous Animals". Punchier cuts like "Potion Approaching" and the "Pretty Visitors" revert back to the band’s previous style, but the rolling "Secret Door" and "Cornerstone" have more in common with Turner’s Last Shadow Puppets project. At just 39 minutes, Humbug’s economy of style is matched to the general feeling of restraint and distinctive pop ethic to create a perfect new sound for Sheffield’s most famous maturing Monkeys. --Danny McKenna

CD Description
One of the most important British bands of recent years, the Arctic Monkeys follow up their first two phenomenally successful albums with Humbug, their first record in over two years. Influenced by Cream and Jimi Hendrix, Humbug features some of frontman Alex Turner's most innovative and profound lyrics yet, whilst also maintaining the Arctic's core sound. Humbug was produced in part by Queens Of The Stone Age frontman Josh Homme.

Customer Reviews

A different Monkey altogether
I was, and still am a big fan of the Arctic Monkeys. I thought that 'Whatever People Say I Am...' was one of the best debut albums I'd heard in nearly a decade, and I thought that 'Favourite Worst Nightmare' had some of the best stuff they'd done, even if it was a bit patchy. I was very much looking forward to this follow up. I'd heard that it was going to be a much more slow and mellow album, which certainly didnt worry me as their earlier slower paced songs are amongst my favourites - 'A Certain Romance', 'Flourescent Adolescent', 'Mardy Bum' '505' to name a few.

This album starts off well with 'My Propeller' a song that makes me think of a night time drive scene in a movie, and 'Crying Lightning' at track 2 is a deliciously saucy number. But, songs 3 through 6 are sadly largely ignorable songs, which don't leave much of an impression, and seem to stumble along without much idea where to go. They're not bad songs, and there are some good lyrics, but they don't hold your attention much. 'Cornerstone' at track 7 is a fabulous song (The Arctic's slightly askew version of a love song), 'Dance Little Liar' simmers away nicely like a classic moody QOTSA number Arctic's style, 'Pretty Visitors' is a cracking menacing beast that has Alex Tuner's most piercing lyrics on the album. But the album ends rather inconspicuously with The Jewellers Hands, a song which acts like the end credits of a movie - you know the show is over, but you don't pay much attention to the credits.

So there's some good and some OK. But what there isn't on this album is anything EXCEPTIONAL. Josh Homme's production is very obvious, and that's not a bad thing as he does exactly what the songs need, but none of these songs are instant. It's an album that you play and happily get into, but having listened to this album for over a month now there arent any specific songs on here that I immediately return to. The last 2 albums had stand out songs a plenty, this doesnt. If you are already a fan it's definately worth having. If you're new to the Arctic Monkeys, the other albums are an easier starting point.

great grower
I like this record a lot. The first time I played it, it was a bit disappointing: it's not Teddy Picker or You Look Good...

What I like about it is that the more I play it, the more I want to play it again. It's a "proper record", a 10-tracks-as-a-whole: not one for the single-track-off-iTunes crowd then.

It's a different record and a great addition to the Monkeys catalogue. Not sure about their hair though!

Yes indeed...
I disagree with another reviewer on this page who suggests one cannot detect Josh Homme's influence on this album. True, "Humbug" is no Desert Rock album, but the more primordial, often erotic and sweaty stew, which permeates QOTSA's music is very apparent here.

This makes for a particularly beguiling listen; Alex Turner always writes with a real pop sensibility, so where QOTSA might go off on an extended jam from time-to-time, this wonderful record has not an ounce of flab on it. 10 songs, 39 minutes, every moment made with the listener in mind.

On their previous album, "Do Me A Favour" and "505" in particular hinted that in terms of song structure and growing lyrical maturity, this band were going to be taking us to some interesting places in future. "Humbug" delivers on that promise... and then some. I've been playing this to death over the past few days and still can't help grinning at the surfeit of genuine surprises and moments of sheer invention that are crammed into its lean running time. All of that and the usual serving of great hooks, riffs and memorable choruses (they spoil us..really, they do!) make this a record anyone with an interest in music made with guitars is going to derive immense joy and satisfaction from.

Arctic Monkeys are so far above and beyond the "Landfill Indie" being peddled around the festival circuit by their peers that comparisons seem laughable. There'll never be another Beatles (and who'd want that anyway?) but when the history of this great band is finally written, it's very possible that "Humbug" will be viewed as their "Revolver" - the record that frees them to go wherever they want. For now, they've arrived at a great place.