Much hype surrounds the Arctic Monkeys’ new album. Considering the title, that’s ironic. Released stateside after topping charts in Britain, the CD adds nothing new to the music world. Most annoying is the unsophisticated drumming in songs like the single “I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor,” with the lead singer sometimes shouting in a thick Sheffield accent. From the repetitive guitar to the angst-filled lyrics, the songs never stray too far from their predecessors’ style. “Dancing Shoes” is one toe-tapping exception, and the ballad “Riot Van” presents a clever narrative. But on the whole, it’s a watered-down version of other British bands like Pulp and Oasis, who have more passion and originality.
This band has a bad case of ‘monkey see, monkey do.’ No matter how popular these primates are, they’ll become extinct unless they evolve.
