Arctic Monkeys "Tranquility Base Hotel And Casino" out May 11

Oh and by the way: Why is it so important if "Tranquillity Base" is or isn't an Alex Turner soloalbum?! It's not as if he "Roger Waters'ed" the band and forced this enormous autobiographical monster upon them. Whatever happened was okayed with the others. And: Would people even bother, if this album had been business as usual?

 

Good stuff here! I don't care what the heck name was used, this is just an incredible album that has kind of a hypnotic draw to it I'm starting to notice. Celebrating my birthday today by hopping on the ol' Ghost Train Haze and throwing back some cold ones while cranking this baby up loud! Yahoo!

Just got the clear vinyl for my son who lives in St. Louis that he will be picking up at Vintage Vinyl, before the Spoon concert across the street at The Pageant tonight, sounds like a fun night!

 

Happy Birthday @scotti !!

..I’ll have one in your honor when I get home this afternoon while I’m listening to this one AGAIN.

“Ghost Train Haze” eh? Duly noted

 

If a few multiple copies was all... imagine all the posters, stickers, merch and magazines each era, not even to mention seeing the band 20 times across continents every era ...

Easy answer: I don’t collect any other band as intense as this one, I skip any Beatles product until I can find a bargain (or not at all).

 

I’m glad it’s come under the Arctic Monkeys umbrella, because we get a tour. Stoked they are playing here in Newcastle and that I’m going to both shows.

Also, I don’t think you should underestimate just how brilliant the rest of the band are - they are incredible players.

God, I love this record.

 

...off topic, but Newcastle Brown is one of my favorite Ales. I’m thoroughly disappointed that it’s now being brewed in Amsterdam. It doesn’t taste the same to me.

Oh well, back to this fine album.

 

Hey, have a great birthday.. Enjoy it!

 

Just played "Whatever People Say" and "Favourite Worst Nightmare" back to back and both are still very good. I don't think I did notice it at the time but "Nightmare" - even by no means a drastic departure - subtly moves the band away from that Strokes/ Libertines sound. Just one year later "The Age Of The Understatement" had a very different sound. I'd be hard pressed to say which Arctic Monkeys album I like least. Even though I found the second Last Shadow Puppets record underwhelming. But I might have to revisit it.

Back to "Tranquility Base", renowned German political weekly Der Spiegel has just released and extremely positive review. They predict that it probably won't sell as instantly as "AM" but might end up a healthy selling slowburner.

 

Arctic Monkeys on Twitter

Just a stupid trailer, but the footage and sound is a must-see for those who like this album.

 

Turner could've used some of the melodies and hooks from 'Aviation', 'Miracle Aligner', 'Dracula Teeth', 'Everything You've Come To Expect' (almost the whole side A, which is pretty much perfect) and 'The Dream Synopsis' for side B of the new AM album...

 

Well I just finished my 5th listen, cranked up loud and no doubt enjoying the fine ride if you will and this album just keeps sucking me in to it's brilliance! Can this please stop growing on me...NOT!

 

Side 1 of Everything You've Come to Expect is spectacular

 

I'm a Last Shadow Puppets fan, but not particularly an Arctic Monkeys fan (I've never bought any of their albums). Since this new AM album is noticeably more LSP-ish, I'm significantly more drawn to it.

 

It is! Bit of a slum on side B, but that album really got underrated by the critics. It was payback for their disastrous early PR round.

 

Music video influenced by Kubrick and Fassbinder (World on a Wire)... Are these guys reading my diary?

 

I really don't get the great reviews for this album. I don't think it's bad but when I read fawning reviews like the one in The Quietus I question whether I'm missing something. They go on an on about how good the lyrics are and the humour in them. I find it all a little vacuous myself. Not bad but it doesn't really do much for me.

 

Its all subjective, really. Its been the most divisive record in years and really seems to be polarising opinion. I'm already proclaiming it my record of the year - and I've loved every AM record - the last 4 I've had as my records of the year.

 

Vacuous is precisely the word I would use to describe this as well. I was equally surprised with all the reviews. It seems like they were just busting to use any of the following words: ethereal, transcendent, smooth, dreamy, futuristic, breezy, lilting, introspective, surreal, immersive. Damn, I actually wish it were as good as the reviews describe.

 

I think there is a consensus (especially in this thread) that those that don't like the album, but have liked the band's previous, just can't get with the new direction.

It's not like that at all though. Personally I find it a totally uninspiring listen. I've tried again and just about made it through Side A.

The band certainly knew what this was about though, hence no tracks released prior to the album. If someone now posts and says it's because the band wanted to allow you to listen to it complete as a surprise, you are fairly misguided.

 

It's actually much better!

 

Alright, you've won me over with your reasoned argument and changed my mind.

 

My wife and I own our own home and didn't have kids. You'd be surprised what that does to the weekly LP budget!

 

Not quite sure I'm buying in to this statement...I don't no about the surprise comment, but I do think they wanted fans to listen to as a complete album.

 

...the album is not for everyone, but if you give it some time and listen all these little parts start showing themselves. Slinky synth grooves, rippin’ guitar parts (short & sweet), infectious melodies that stick in your head for days, etc.

Yes it’s different, probably different than anything else in my quite large collection, but that’s a plus in my opinion. To each his own.

 

(Different) and that's what is so cool about this, nothing else quite like this out there right now! And tomorrow we get the new Parquet Courts, that's getting many great reviews! Getting the deluxe vinyl of that one, so with AM last week and PC this week, nice 1-2 punch!