Don't expect a change of course from the Arctic Monkeys. AM, as the title implies, is one hundred percent Arctic Monkeys. The band actually makes the same record every two years, with some nuance in production. Alex Turner's songs are unchanged sharp and cynical on the fifth studio album. In terms of sound, the group has returned to the heavy guitars of Humbug, where there is no objection to performing
… ballads with them. Producer (and ex-drummer for James Ford has tried to dress the songs as rich as possible. Here an organ, there a shaker, every hole is filled. That makes for a big, bombastic sound. And Arctic Monkeys doesn't need that at all. In fact, the band might benefit from a production like their songs are: simple and fresh. It's like Doutzen Kroes: you can put on a lot of beautiful clothes with lots of accessories, but she is just as beautiful in jeans and a simple shirt. Conclusion: AM is a great record, because it was made by the Arctic Monkeys. (HF)more