Originating from Sheffield Arctic Monkeys are known the world over but are they on the same level as the greats such as The Beatles and Oasis? Well, let's find out.
Every great band has their own unique sound to make them stand out but bands often struggle to keep their identity whilst adapting and changing their sound to be different because let's face it, if they did we'd all be pretty bored very quickly. As of writing Arctic Monkeys have six full studio albums. The opening two, 'Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not' and 'Favourite Worst Nightmare' both have unrelenting energy, addictive guitar rifts and underrated drumming. They took the UK by storm with lyrics about being young and having a good time. Alternatively follow ups 'Humbug' and 'Suck It and See' showcase an entirely different style, both instrumentally and lyrically. But front man Alex Turner's unique vocals are still so recognisable in the best way possible. The two albums were not near as beloved as the two before them at the time but they better showcase Alex's obscure lyrics.
The band had conquered Britain very quickly but were yet to leave their mark on America, the Yorkshire boys wanted to put an end to this and eventually did with their best selling album in 2013 titled 'AM'. Alex Turner described the album as sounding "like a Dr.Dre but we've given it an Ike Turner bowl-cut and sent it galloping across the desert on a Stratocaster", adding that it "sound less like four lads playing in a room this time. Essentially, that's what it is, but if you can find a way to manipulate the instruments or the sounds to the point where it sounds a bit like a hip-hop beat that'd be boss in your car, then I think there's something quite cool about that." The album took over the world.
It would be five years until the next Arctic Monkeys album, the longest gap in the band's history, 'Tranquillity Base Hotel and Casino' dropped in 2018 and nobody expected what they got. TBH+C is themed around a stylistic 70's Hotel and Casino, the sounds has been described as: lounge pop, space pop, glam rock, and psychedelic pop as well as elements of jazz. The album was called a masterpiece by some but others hated it strongly.
Oasis are often given praise for their B-Sides, with many people believing they have the best B-Sides of any music artist ever. Arctic Monkeys are a band that have some fantastic songs that were not released with the full album. There are several EPs that have been released by the Monkeys with songs that never made it onto the album, the quality of these songs shows the quality of the band.
I could write this entire piece about Alex Turner, the band's front man, as he's an incredibly interesting character who's changed so much down the years. He was a cocky cheeky young lad from Sheffield, and now he's a suave cool L.A resident, with a whole new voice. Alex developed his rusty vocals into becoming smooth and deep. With entire change of style as well with his hair and outfits, as well as his stage presence. This transformation shows his maturity as a person and as a musician, with the music getting more complex and the lyrics being more abstract than ever before. If Alex was born in a different era, I can see him being hailed as a genius much more often that he is right now.
The rest of the band demonstrated the same cheek and charm to them as Alex, dressing up in matching outfits several times for the Brit awards that you just simply couldn't be amused by. However the band has always been very private with very little social media activity whatsoever, whilst of course us fans respect their personal and private lives and the fact they want to keep that secret it is also frustrating having no idea what's happening and what we can look forward to.
Every great band needs iconic gigs, Oasis have Knebworth, Queen have Wembley, and The Stone Roses have Spike Island. What do Arctic Monkey have? Well the band have headlined the worlds biggest festival Glastonbury on two separate occasions now which is already a massive highlight in any bands career, But other than that and headlining a few other major festivals there's not one gig that necessarily stands out as being 'iconic' thus far.
To say that Arctic Monkeys have been a successful band would be an understatement but do they even come close to the greats? Despite my unbiased view I think It would be silly to say they're on the same level as Oasis and the likes. They never gripped the world in the same way, the songs aren't anywhere near to being as legendary and despite being a great band that connected so well with the youth, they are simply never reached that point...at least not yet.
Written By Alfie Hoy
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