Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
by Arctic Monkeys
  • Record Label: Domino
  • Release Date: Feb 21, 2006
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 907 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 763 out of 907
  2. Mixed: 64 out of 907
  3. Negative: 80 out of 907

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  1. wilhelmf
    Jan 30, 2006
    0
    the most overrated band of the last 50 years. they've got a catchy single and a lot of boring songs, but nme needs a new idol every year.
  2. MartinW
    Jan 29, 2006
    0
    As Johnny says above: "This CD is boring and just rips off oasis" ... who ripped off The Beatles and everybody else! Warning: "Don't Believe The Hype" (as somebody else once said). We'll see how well The Monkeys fare in a few years' time. Will they go the same way as Hear'Say (the previous best-selling debut album) or The Stone Roses (arguably the BEST debut album). As Johnny says above: "This CD is boring and just rips off oasis" ... who ripped off The Beatles and everybody else! Warning: "Don't Believe The Hype" (as somebody else once said). We'll see how well The Monkeys fare in a few years' time. Will they go the same way as Hear'Say (the previous best-selling debut album) or The Stone Roses (arguably the BEST debut album). Either way, I hope they disband soon, then we can have the next round of "Best-Group-Since-The-Beatles". [I was panicking that I was going to have to give this 1/10. Mighty relieved there was a '0'!]… Expand
  3. RobR
    Feb 2, 2006
    0
    "Style" over substance wins again. Hype hype hype, and nothing else. Arctic Monkeys, Kasabian, Editors, Bloc Party et al - get over yourselves, all of you.
  4. MartinM
    Jan 30, 2006
    1
    This album is about as original as a Joan Rivers joke
  5. silvergellar
    Feb 23, 2006
    0
    Awful. Just plain awful. All been done before with Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine and Pop Will Eat Itself, both who are fantastic. Arctic Monkeys are niot gonna save Bristish music, they are gonna finish it off!! No more!!
  6. oliveri
    Mar 1, 2006
    2
    the stupidly immature album title only rings true if they're referring to people lavishing them with praise.
  7. davidm.
    Mar 3, 2006
    1
    maybe we should take the album title to heart, right? all these reviews are praising how wonderful the record is. but, you know what they say... whatever they say you are, that's what you're not. BOOYAH
  8. ak
    Apr 10, 2006
    0
    They suck lol
  9. KristenB
    Apr 10, 2006
    3
    Trite drivel that lacks substance. It's a thoroughly immature effort. The lyrics are empty and the music sounds recycled. Don't believe the hype. If you want better indie music, I recommend the following bands: Wolf Parade, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Metric, Shout Out Louds or Grandaddy.
  10. johnseth
    Apr 4, 2006
    1
    CRAP!!!
  11. NiallP
    Mar 21, 2007
    0
    These gus are amazingly overhyped!! There is nothing inspired or beautiful about this. A barage of noise and commercial garbage. Stay clear if you are a fan of indie.
  12. JamesM.
    Sep 1, 2007
    1
    Just can't stand his voice and the wannabee working class attitude.
  13. BenJ
    Jan 27, 2006
    3
    I thought the Libertines disbanded?
  14. MikeM
    Jan 28, 2006
    2
    this is complete hype. bands such as Art Brut and Franz Ferdinand still sound even more original. the industry must be severely lacking for this so-called band to get the exposure they're recieving.
  15. simonc
    Jan 31, 2006
    2
    I thought Britrock was dead in 1997
  16. TheGarfie
    Jan 30, 2006
    2
    A vacuous pointless exercise in hype so succesful in its execution that I suspect its a government conspiracy. How many more albums must we have based on the chavy antics of middle class boys pretending their fathers are miners? All the wit of an episode of '2 Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps', the musical excitement of a block of lard and the fact that they look frankly A vacuous pointless exercise in hype so succesful in its execution that I suspect its a government conspiracy. How many more albums must we have based on the chavy antics of middle class boys pretending their fathers are miners? All the wit of an episode of '2 Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps', the musical excitement of a block of lard and the fact that they look frankly RUBBISH make for a band whos success will go down as one of the great mysteries of the 21st century. Pathetic.… Expand
  17. mickismcna
    Feb 16, 2006
    2
    this album has a couple of decent songs but everyone now loves to run around talking about the arctic monkeys as if it was them who discovered them first and that they are a member of a rare cult following. their lyrics are pretty fucking dodgy when you look below the surface and they are incomparable with the libertines. they havent a fucking chance of a half decent secound album.
  18. ErwinK
    Feb 2, 2006
    3
    yawn. hype hype hype. zero originality
  19. JohnnyW
    Feb 2, 2006
    2
    The most hyped band ever. The music? Tedious Brit-rock crapola. Utterly average in all respects. This year's Franz Ferdinand.
  20. prostitute_finger
    May 26, 2008
    3
    Too primitive and boring commercial shit. Only few interesting and fun moments exist.
  21. AaronS
    Jan 27, 2006
    2
    All hype and nothing else. Yet more proof the British indie scene is stagnant. I rank it lower than I should only because of the massive hype surrounding it.
  22. KeithW
    Feb 12, 2006
    0
    This isn't painful to the ears, but it is bland. The hype here earns this release a zero because it steals time from listeners that could be spent listening to superior album.
  23. mckludge
    Feb 13, 2006
    0
    The Greatest Album in the History of Humanity. Period. No question about it. You will *never* hear anything better ii your lifetime!!! Go and buy it now!!!!! No score can truly do it justice. Therefore I'm giving it a 0. Ok?
  24. CatM
    Apr 15, 2006
    3
    I found the album dull, monotonous, and lacking in musical creativity. Loads more room for expansion though.
  25. Coniseuer
    Apr 20, 2006
    3
    Don't bother with this. Reviewers are way off with their scores.
  26. antoniop
    Jun 23, 2006
    3
    I really don't understand why the music media talk so much about these guys. Their sound is so previsible and boring.
  27. AndyS
    Dec 18, 2006
    3
    Extremely overrated.
  28. johnnybgoode
    Jan 26, 2006
    3
    this CD is boring and just rips off oasis.
  29. VikS
    Feb 11, 2006
    2
    Ouch. You Europeans have some weird taste in music if you're claiming the the Arctic Monkeys are the "it" sound of 2006... Remember folks, these are the same people that brought us the Spice Girls.
  30. oliez
    Feb 22, 2006
    1
    What a rubbish, boring piece of shit. Anyone giving a rating over 4 probably hasn't even listened to it.
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Awards & Rankings

34
#34 Best Album of 2006
2
#2 Most Discussed Album of 2006
12
#12 Most Shared Album of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. BBC collective
    90
    It’s exciting stuff, simple yet deadly effective.
    Read full review
  2. Dot Music
    90
    Such is the depth and quality of Turner's songwriting, it plays like a best of.
    Read full review
  3. musicOMH.com
    90
    It's not a totally perfect record, for which we should be thankful - remember what happened to The Stone Roses after they'd released their flawless debut? - but it is an excellent first album, and gives notice that Alex Turner is already one of this country's best lyricists.
    Read full review
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