Indie Rock Songs

When Bob Dylan went electric in the mid-60s, some of his fans and critics hated it, some loved it, and many others accepted the change in style and embraced it. Over the decades that ensued, some even argue that Dylan’s electric work is among his best ever.

While not exactly Bob Dylan clones – but in a way carry on that disinfected, poetic charge – the indie rock-post punk sensation Arctic Monkeys are now facing a similar dilemma. The band’s latest album, Humbug, is, for the most part, a departure from the unabashed, in-your-face intense rock that made them world famous only five years ago. But Humbug has so far received a so-so response from music critics, bloggers and especially fans – some hate it, some love it, others fall somewhere in the middle.

The verdict of Humbug by AM fans – the people who really matter – appears to be largely split with a slight lean toward the conclusion that the album is a “grower” that apparently gets better with each listen. In a way, I have to agree, even though I can see why some people are disappointed because it lacks the infectious, edgy rock anthems the band had become know for around the globe.

However, Humbug clearly demonstrates the Arctic Monkey’s progression as artists, and that’s not a bad thing. That sound and style is all but absent on Humbug. The songs on the band’s new release are slower, more melancholy and Alex Turner delivers the well-crafted lyrics with more sublime vocals.

When a band has been as outrageously popular as Arctic Monkeys have been in the past five years, the expectations put on them to satisfy so many people with
hit after hit is overwhelming and not fair. Humbug, if anything else, demonstrates a band that is growing up – it is not the emotional, attention-grabbing post punk rock that put the band in the worldwide spotlight back in 2005.

For those who expected Humbug to have the same hard-hitting, urgent and unabashed rock attitude of the band’s early releases, they will either be largely let down or slowly come to appreciate it for what it is.

The Arctic Monkeys changed the face of ‘indie rock’ in the UK, Europe, and to some extent in North America, with their debut album Everything They Say I Am, I Am Not, and to a lesser, but still powerful, affect, their sophomore LP Favourite Worst Nightmare.

A big part of what made the Arctic Monkeys one of the most biggest new bands in British rock history was their raw talent and ability to make catchy rock music that could be cool and fun at the same time. For many fans it didn’t take long to be captivated by the band’s seemingly boundless energy and sing-along anthems (“I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor”). With a few notable exceptions, the engaging, enthusiastic rebellion rock of yore is pretty much absent from Humbug.

Humbug definitely has its highlights and plenty of the great story-telling lyrics and melodies of the band’s earlier days. The problem is that, as a collection of songs, Humbug is just not that interesting, or memorable.

Of the songs on Humbug that sound most like the Arctic Monkeys of yesteryear are “Dangerous Animals” and “Pretty Visitors.” While “Crying Lightning” was the band’s
first official single, one of the previously mentioned tracks are more likely “keepers” for old-school Arctic Monkey fans.

“Crying Lightning” – Arctic Monkeys from Humbug

“Potion Approaching”(Live) – Arctic Monkeys from Humbug