I like how many early rankings have AM last. In no means is AM a bad record, but its 100% their safest. There's also songs that people tend to overlook because of how good the beginning/end is, but some of their most ho-hum material is in the middle there (Fireside, Mad Sounds) and it has their second worst album song (I Want It All) as well. Still too early for me to rank this new one, but: Humbug < SIAS < FWN < Whatever < AM I think I would slot TBHC in the bottom 3 right now. Probably after FWN, but again - too early
I fucking love this band. This and the new Now, Now are my two favorite records this year and it’s not even close.
I love this band and I absolutely love AM. I don’t know my ranking but that’s near the top. It might be “safe” but it’s fucking fun.
I agree that Brick by Brick is badass. Two solos - one has the IDST intensity, and one has the sludgy Humbug-esque quality. That song (and the whole album) achieved exactly what they set out to - bright sounding melodies and a band just having fun again. The worst song in their catalog is 'The Bad Thing', for me. It's a painful listen
haha, I was expecting to disagree with the response but all your takes have been good. I don't mind the verses on The Bad Thing but it's for sure the worst chorus in their catalogue, would've swapped it for Da Frame 2R personally
Ohhh I wasn't including b-sides (although I did say catalog, that's my bad). I've never found Da Frame 2R that offensive... Sketchhead on the other hand That being said, Arctic Monkeys still have probably the best bside collection I can think of and it would be a shame if we got nothing from this album cycle. Remember how good Humbug/SIAS bsides were (Catapult, Fright Lined Dining Room, The Afternoons Hat, Evil Twin, Blonde-O-Sonic, etc.)
my bad, I meant I would have put Da Frame 2R on the album instead. I love that song and it provides the energy burst that The Bad Thing does but in a better song. should have worded that better lol they do have killer b-sides for sure. Blond-o-Sonic is probably one of their best overall, Evil Twin slaps, 2013 and You're So Dark, Despair in the Departure Lounge is devastating... I don't know about this album cycle just because I can't see them releasing any singles at all, and it kind of feels like Turner poured enough lyrics for two albums into just the ones we got haha. but fingers crossed
I think it's hard for me to determine what's their worst album because SIAS almost wins by default so I technically just have to think of what's right after that album.
Hmm...I think I agree for the most part. I do have a question that I've been curious about which I suppose also encompasses games and movies as well, but do you ever feel like "Oh man, I love this band/whatever, so I almost feel like I have to like this more than I do?" I get the sense (and I'm not talking about you guys) that some people I talk to almost have this strange loyalty to an artist, franchise, etc. Do you think that's natural?
I guess it depends what you mean by 'strange' loyalty. I think it's pretty natural... once people get attached to a band and you invest time/emotion/headspace into them, they are more willing to give new music more chances to catch on. I think most people are willing to give familiar bands more chances because of connections to their past music. If you are so loyal to a band that it feels like an obligation to listen to something, then that's a little strange. There are some fanbases that always shit on stuff or complain about things (certain movie franchises like Star Wars come to my mind), yet still consume everything that gets put out. That's weird IMO.