Arctic Monkeys' new album is "more Josh Homme-ish"

 

Humbug, the new album by Arctic Monkeys, has seven tracks produced by Josh Homme, from Queens of The Stone Age. Recording was done in two stages: first, the band registered 12 songs with Homme, in his studio in Joshua Tree (in the Californian desert), and then moved to New York, where they recorded another dozen with James Ford (producer of the band's last album, Favourite Worst Nightmare).

 

Out of the 24 songs, ten ended up on the album – of which seven are from the sessions with Homme. The initial idea was to make a heavier CD, but the concept was abandoned half way through. "It would be too easy", explains drummer Matt Helders to Rolling Stone Brasil, by phone.

 

The final result is very different from the sonority that is expected from the Arctic Monkeys. In some songs, Alex Turner's vocals are unrecognizable (specially in the album's opener, My Propeller) and a good part of the tracks has the trippy mood of QOTSA (but not with that band's heaviness, as one could expect).

 

Humbug is due to release in August, with single Crying Lightning coming out first. The band goes off on tour in this month already, but will only play in England after the album is on stores. "We don't have anything programmed for South America, but we'll have some space in our schedule next year", offers Helders. Now it's up to Brazilian promoters.

 

Seems I was mistaken about Homme tracks then...

 

Looks like Crying Lightning is going to be the lead single then.

 

 

Crying Lightning? :o

Wasn't thinking of that as a single. I've only listened to the performance a few times though, so I still don't really know what to expect tbh!

well thats good then (the Josh Homme bit) i like QOTSA's trippy mood too, im looking forward to the album now :P

Crying Lightning isn't confirmed or anything as the lead single yet, but it's looking that way. I've heard rumours hear and there, and it must have got a decent reception from when they've played it live abroad. Personally, whilst I love the song lyrically, i'm not too sure about it musically. Probably need a HQ to judge it properly, but it's quite a heavy track. Homme produced, and most likely the heaviest song on the album.

 

Apparently Cornerstone is the Flourescent Adolescent of 'Humbug' as well... so that's a track to look out for.

Arctic Monkeys were forced to leave the stage midway through their first festival show of the European summer last night (July 2) as they played the Open'er festival in Gdynia, Poland.

 

Halfway through their set, as the band were playing 'Flourescent Adolescent', the sound from the main stage speakers cut out. The band's monitors were seemingly still working, as they continued to play, oblivious to the problem.

 

After a short period of confusion an announcer addressed the crowd to say there would be a short break as technical problems were sorted. He then led a chant of "Arctic Monkeys!".

 

After ten minutes, the band finally returned to play 'If You Were There, Beware' and finish their set.

 

"I'm ever so sorry about that everybody," said frontman Alex Turner. "We didn’t realise."

 

The Sheffield band played four new songs set for their soon-to-be reelased third album 'Humbug' – forthcoming single 'Crying Lightning', set opener 'Pretty Visitors', 'Potion Approaching' and 'Secret Door'.

 

The band, who are set to headline the Reading And Leeds Festivals in August, ended their set with 2007 album 'Favourite Worst Nightmare' closer '505', leaving the stage to the sound of huge screams from the crowd not put off by the earlier hitch.

 

Arctic Monkeys played:

 

'Pretty Visitors'

'This House Is A Circus'

'Brianstorm'

'The View From The Afternoon'

'Still Take You Home"

’Da Frame 2R'

'Crying Lightning'

'Flourescent Adolescent'

'If You Were There, Beware'

'When The Sun Goes Down'

'From The Ritz To Rubble'

'I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor'

'Potion Approaching'

'Leave Before The Lights Come On'

'Only Ones Who Know'

'Do Me A Favour'

'Secret Door'

'505'

 

NME.com

 

I know it's not really relevant to this thread, but it shows what songs they're likely to play live/be the next singles. :P

 

 

'Cornerstone' preview

^

excellent

^ That sounds like the anthem of Reading 09 already :D

This is from the offical forum...

 

Yesterday i heard the new monkeys album at my mates work, he prints the artwork on cd's. my impression after 2 listens is that its not as instant as the first 2 albums or as exciting. Most tracks seem mid- paced as opposed to the "in yer face" Brianstorm, teddy picker etc. i will say tho it got better on every listen. im not going to give a rating as ive only heard it a few times. Bear in mind alot of it hasnt sunk in yet so that why i cant give more detailed descriptions.

the album is about 39 mins.

PS I WILL NOT be getting a copy to upload!

 

1. mid paced, nice little riff going on in the background. about halfway thru the song breaks down as Alex sings "have a spin of my propeller" and then it kicks back in again. gud opener but was hoping for a Brianstorm explosion of a start.

 

2. you have all heard this one by now.

 

3. Probably the most "instant" song on the album, a catchy classic monkeys riff plays throughout. lyrics: D.A.N.G.E.R.O.U.S. Gud tune

 

4. Acoustic opening with Alex singing and then the drums and a whirly guitar effect and bass kick in. Another mid - paced sort of song.

 

5. Another song that starts off like classic monkeys. Great little riff going on throughout. About halfway thru the song breaks down and changes tempo and goes slow and then picks up the main riff that it started with until the end.

 

6. midpaced number doesnt really go anywher until about 2 mins 30 secs when it kicks in with a guitar riff and ups the tempo. prob my least favand for me not very memorable.

 

7.Acoustic guitar and sum lovely little whirly guitar riffs in the background. A sort of fair ground organ effect halfway through. lyrics that stood out - "she was close enough to be your ghost, but my chances turned to toast when i asked her if i cud call her your name".

 

8.slow dark and atmospheric for the first couple of mins and then a total change of pace with sum more great drumming by matt and a sum varied guitar riffs and sound effects that play out until the outro

 

9. A fairground organ gives way to a great riff and great drumming from helders, almost like a machine gun in places. very catchy and one of the most pacey songs on the album. lyric: "what came first the chicken or the dickhead". gud tune.

 

10. I think this is the longest song on the album clocking in at over 5mins 30 secs. A slow to mid paced song with dreamy effects of guitar and piano popping throughout the song.

 

the album is quite dark sounding and atmospheric in places. But it is a grower.

i like "crying lighting" a lot (my current #1 for almost 3 weeks) but some of the other tracks of the album , even if i know only the live versions with bad sounf quality , make the lead single sound just like an album track!!!

 

good news then... i suposse...;)

 

 

and i m in love with Would You Like Me To Build You A Go-Kart? ..

is it really a b side or an album track with a different name?g*****g amazing guitar riff...

Josh Homme has revealed that he wanted to work with Arctic Monkeys after falling in love with their lyrics.

 

The Queens Of The Stone Age frontman co-produced the Sheffield band's third album 'Humbug', even recording some parts with the band out in the Mojave Desert in California.

 

Speaking about why he opted to produce a band Homme told the US edition of GQ that it was frontman Alex Turner's words that first got his attention.

 

"I was sucked in at first by the lyrics. Alex sounded like a rare poet playing music – he has a special gift for the gab," explained Homme, who then singled out Arctic Monkeys' Matt Helders as "one of the best drummers in rock 'n' roll".

 

Speaking about the record the producer explained that 'Humbug' – released on August 24 – sees the Sheffield band experimenting.

 

"This is the record where they get weird, grow up and trip out," he declared.

 

Meanhwile Homme's co-producer, Simian Mobile Disco, suggested the album would split fans.

 

"It'll definitely surprise people, especially people who are familiar with things like ['I Bet That You Would Look Good On The] 'Dancefloor' and stuff like that, [they] might be quite taken aback," he told Radio 1's Newsbeat.

 

"They’re progressing and moving forward trying to change, push themselves and push their audience which I think is rare in a lot of bands today. They’ve just got more relaxed with themselves - they’re comfortable doing what they’re doing.

 

From what i've heard of the album so far, those quotes from James Ford are definitely true...

 

And I think Go-Kart is on the album, it's just under a different name.

I definitely think 'Humbug' will split fans too. I've certainly found that it takes a few listens for me to really like the leaked tracks...whereas older Arctics songs were pretty instant.

 

I like that though! Often songs that are instant can get old very quickly - judging from the leaked tracks, this isn't the case. :wub:

The album is very different from what i've heard. Certainly more mature. I said this to Nicky before, but i'm expecting there mixed reviews for the album (ranging from a lot of praise, to some reviewers saying the album is average). I don't think the album will sell a lot, but I definitely see it as a stepping stone for the band. Didn't The Beatles have a very experimental 3rd album as well?

 

 

top album!an excellent album and surprise surprise !

they could have a few more hits!!!(Cornerstone, secret door,Potion Approaching,Pretty Visitors)...every song could work as a single.

 

still the same band if you consider that the last shadow puppets were actually an arctic monkeys version...at the end of the day its still alex turner writing and releasing beautiful songs...only darker that time with a sharp velvet feeling...

 

top album!an excellent album and surprise surprise !

they could have a few more hits!!!(Cornerstone, secret door,Potion Approaching,Pretty Visitors)...every song could work as a single.

 

still the same band if you consider that the last shadow puppets were actually an arctic monkeys version...at the end of the day its still alex turner writing and releasing beautiful songs...only darker that time with a sharp velvet feeling...

 

I'm really getting into this now on about fifth listen. 'Cornerstone' is a pretty excellent track. 'Dangerous Animals' is another one of my faves at this point.

I love Dangerous Animals.:wub: It reminds me so much of Teddy Picker.

 

"Hung down by the daaaaaaaaaaark"

i m more into Potion Approaching.

so what if the riff it sounds like Nirvana.

still amazing

Secret Door and Pretty Visitors are the ones that have particularly grabbed me so far :wub:

I love this album now. :wub: I have an acoustic version of 'The Fire and the Thud' in my iTunes from ages ago, that must be an old song...