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. Rev.Rikard
    Aug 13, 2006
    9
    This is just great kickin rock and roll. The album reminds me of Grand Funk Railroad (at GFRs best). The driving bass and rythm section accompaned by guitar work that is intense. This album will not allow you to relax. It has the power to shake us out of complacency and awaken the ear to a sound long missed.
  2. Ethan
    Jul 29, 2006
    9
    This cd is awesome nothig more.
  3. TheCritic
    Jul 17, 2006
    8
    While it is overrated, the Monkeys are really not as bad as some people say they are. Even though the album is not consistent and it falls short halfway through, the Monkeys show here that they are definately going to mature and they do have potential and talent. The best tracks are "Mardy Bum" "A View From the Afternoon" and the ever-so-popular single "I bet You Look Good on the While it is overrated, the Monkeys are really not as bad as some people say they are. Even though the album is not consistent and it falls short halfway through, the Monkeys show here that they are definately going to mature and they do have potential and talent. The best tracks are "Mardy Bum" "A View From the Afternoon" and the ever-so-popular single "I bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor." Another thing... if anybody saw Saturday Night Live with the Arctic Monkeys on it, who agrees with me that they sped the "Dancefloor" song up double the speed on the album. Am I right?… Expand
  4. LoganM
    Jul 16, 2006
    7
    this album was ok, nothing higher than a seven because you cant listen to this whole album. Half the songs stink on this album and another minus to the band is that I saw them doing "I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor" on many different showes and they were pretty darn bad. It may have gotten good ratings from the critics but I don't get how people can enjoy and listen over and this album was ok, nothing higher than a seven because you cant listen to this whole album. Half the songs stink on this album and another minus to the band is that I saw them doing "I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor" on many different showes and they were pretty darn bad. It may have gotten good ratings from the critics but I don't get how people can enjoy and listen over and over to some of the tracks on this record. Oh yeah, Doesn't the guy on the cover of the cd look like Adam Sandler?????????… Expand
  5. 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.
  6. jasonm
    Jun 8, 2006
    10
    fukin great
  7. ThomasW
    Jun 6, 2006
    10
    Their the best in the genre. Great lyrics, drums and guitare. First I wasen't convinced, Iput it aside for a month and listende to it again and it suddenly clicked. My favourite song is "From the Ritz to the rubble"
  8. laxNSnaxK
    May 31, 2006
    3
    Well, this album is not as good as anything put out by the White Stripes, or Franz Ferdinand, or Super Furry Animals, or Flaming Lips, or Kaiser Chiefs. While it may be about as good as the highly overated The Strokes, that's nothing to be overly proud of. All the songs sound the same and the singing is terrible, in fact it's hard to find anything good about the album, but I Well, this album is not as good as anything put out by the White Stripes, or Franz Ferdinand, or Super Furry Animals, or Flaming Lips, or Kaiser Chiefs. While it may be about as good as the highly overated The Strokes, that's nothing to be overly proud of. All the songs sound the same and the singing is terrible, in fact it's hard to find anything good about the album, but I have to admit I have heard much worse, so I'll give it a 3.… Expand
  9. Luis
    May 29, 2006
    9
    Awesome music & lyrics...so fresh
  10. House
    May 22, 2006
    8
    What would you get if Ray Davies had joined the Clash...Artic Monkeys? There EPs were smart and sharp and this, there first full length record is even better. Can't wait for their Sophmore effort. This one rocks and surprises and makes you laugh all the way through.
  11. HackTheplanet
    May 22, 2006
    0
    Highly overrated.
  12. Monkeyman
    May 19, 2006
    10
    The best British debut album since The Stone Roses. Absolutely essential.
  13. kk
    May 19, 2006
    10
    fucking brilliant. it puts any album to come out of america in the last 6 years to shame (bar jack whites efforts or Is This It). people want to put them down so muh as they dont want to beleive the hype but this album surpases expectations.
  14. Victoria
    May 14, 2006
    0
    SHIT
  15. BMikols
    May 11, 2006
    6
    Gotta say, I've given the album several listens since early Jan, and I find it to be enjoyable, but overall rather simplistic and totally conscious of itself. If the NY Times really believed a better album would not come out this year, they certainly underestimate The Strokes and The Yeah Yeah Yeahs. It will be interesting to see how The Monkeys evolve for their second offering
  16. DeanR
    May 11, 2006
    10
    For a debut album, this is second to none. It combines enigmatic lyrics with classic guitar riffs and great changes in pace, tone and musical amalgamation. Quality album.
  17. NickR
    May 10, 2006
    5
    Really boring, derivative Brit-pop. Blur perfected this about 11 years ago wtih "Parklife"- even though the British press will turn blue in the face telling you how great these guys are, they really aren't. In all fairness, however, "I Think You'd Look Good on the Dancefllor" is a very solid track. Besides that, just listen to non-singles Oasis, and you've pretty much got it.
  18. WilliamO
    May 9, 2006
    10
    Best new band!
  19. ktbronk
    May 9, 2006
    10
    love it all. well done monkeys. all i listen to.
  20. RobbH
    May 8, 2006
    9
    Although many have turned away from it due to "overhype", the Arctic Monkeys have put together the best dance rock album since "Silent Alarm"
  21. Jack.
    May 8, 2006
    5
    Not bad, but not good either. Arctic Monkeys are just amazingly average. It's hard to dislike them - but harder to like them. A band that, were it not for their internet success story, would probably have achieved only limited, mostly local, success.
  22. ClaytonC
    May 5, 2006
    8
    A BritPop classic... worth all the hype!
  23. BjørnB
    May 4, 2006
    9
    This is an excellent release. I'm honestly most curious as to what Mr. Prude and Williams is going at when they use the words "shit" and "bad" in an Arctic Monkeys review, but I guess I shouldn't be judging them like this. Back on topic though, Arctic Monkeys really has that kick-ass sound I've been longing for for months now. It's hype is well deserved. Their catchy This is an excellent release. I'm honestly most curious as to what Mr. Prude and Williams is going at when they use the words "shit" and "bad" in an Arctic Monkeys review, but I guess I shouldn't be judging them like this. Back on topic though, Arctic Monkeys really has that kick-ass sound I've been longing for for months now. It's hype is well deserved. Their catchy songs will have you jumping around your apartment screaming "oh, you don't know nothing!" My least favourite track has got to be Fake Tales of San Francisco, I quite honestly don't know what gets to me about it, and I will love it when im screaming it's lyrics half-drunk at Roskilde in denmark this summer, but it just isn't as... It's probably just a personal matter. Buy this CD!!!… Expand
  24. RobbieM
    May 3, 2006
    10
    I can´t remember to anything better than this (maybe except White Stripes)
  25. DT
    Apr 29, 2006
    8
    Not the ground breaking world beater it's hyped up to be, but it is a good Album with 5 or 6 strong tracks & a couple of poor ones.
  26. JorgeT
    Apr 29, 2006
    10
    Perfect!!!
  27. AliB
    Apr 28, 2006
    10
    This album rocks!! An album that has you gripped right until the very end deserves all the acclaim in the world, and this is certainly one that falls into that category.
  28. DustinPrude.
    Apr 26, 2006
    2
    Its a bad experimental Strokes album.
  29. JDWilliams
    Apr 26, 2006
    0
    Horrible overhyped shit!
  30. samanthav
    Apr 26, 2006
    10
    this band is what music is about. there is alot more great music coming from them in the future. we should applaud they're amazing achievements
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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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