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. JoeH
    Feb 27, 2006
    9
    Upon first hearing the album i did not realise how great it actually is, this album definitely grows on you and then infects you with its catchy riffs and very clever and humerous lyrics. For an album full of high points the pinnacle for me is When the Sun goes down. The only song which lets the album down is Riot Van, But this fails to change my opinion that The Arctic Monkeys are the Upon first hearing the album i did not realise how great it actually is, this album definitely grows on you and then infects you with its catchy riffs and very clever and humerous lyrics. For an album full of high points the pinnacle for me is When the Sun goes down. The only song which lets the album down is Riot Van, But this fails to change my opinion that The Arctic Monkeys are the best new band around!… Expand
  2. AlecG
    Feb 27, 2006
    4
    It gets a 4 because it's.. listenable. People who I've heard say "they're the next Beatles" don't seem to understand what made the Beatles so good.
  3. Gah
    Feb 28, 2006
    4
    Now, I wont Lie, I've been a fan of every other 'next big british thing' in the history of 'big british things' and this time, there is something missing. It's hollow shallow and David H 60GB Ipod What the fuck?
  4. AllanG
    Feb 28, 2006
    1
    Ruuuubish. It's all hype hype hype. As obnoxious as Oasis, but at least Oasis could write a few classic songs. This is pure redundant turgid music. Makes Jet seem like the Beatles. Music reviewers should stay off the coke, because I can't believe the reviews this band is getting.
  5. TheRealAlfonsoDeBong
    Feb 28, 2006
    8
    Yeah I didnt want to believe the hype either, but this one will get under your skin. Good raucous rock and roll with catchy lyrics - hardly thought provoking but hey you can't always get watcha waaant... I give them two albums...then BOOM! But in the meantime they are out there - go see them.
  6. MaxM
    Feb 3, 2006
    8
    Tom B.. (see above)... wrote that this was pumped up by a relentless British music press... (he's wrong) ...the real story here is that some talented, cocky, guys wrote songs that make you think of the Jam... and the Streets... and put the tracks online (free) where they got passed around (I got them early last year) like old fashioned mix tapes until the buzz burst out with 360,000 Tom B.. (see above)... wrote that this was pumped up by a relentless British music press... (he's wrong) ...the real story here is that some talented, cocky, guys wrote songs that make you think of the Jam... and the Streets... and put the tracks online (free) where they got passed around (I got them early last year) like old fashioned mix tapes until the buzz burst out with 360,000 people buying a copy in a week... was at their gig last night and the great thing is that they can still improve (!) but boy the atmosphere was electric... amazing... why do people who can't perform, sing, write consider it necessary to so flippantly damin those, at 19 (!) who can? It's like the Razorfish song "Golden Touch", that they mind because they can never do the things that you can I do so well.… Expand
  7. cristianp
    Feb 3, 2006
    10
    excelente disco con canciones increibles y altamente adictivas de principio a fin!
  8. mikep
    Feb 5, 2006
    9
    Original lyrics and excellent delivery help to make what would sound like quite a normal album into a great one. Not quite as great as the 'hype', but then what is. That said, does have some cracking tunes that will be filling indie dancefloors for years. Filling stadiums will be trickier, but that's their charm. Whether they will be able to cross over the countries that Original lyrics and excellent delivery help to make what would sound like quite a normal album into a great one. Not quite as great as the 'hype', but then what is. That said, does have some cracking tunes that will be filling indie dancefloors for years. Filling stadiums will be trickier, but that's their charm. Whether they will be able to cross over the countries that dont undertand the phrase 'mardy bum' remains to be seen!… Expand
  9. Mart
    Feb 6, 2006
    10
    Who reads Stylus Magazine?
  10. SeamusM
    Feb 7, 2006
    4
    Like Franz Ferdinand with more energy and weaker hooks.
  11. jordand
    Feb 7, 2006
    9
    Great sound. Fun and upbeat. Great album.
  12. MusicMaven
    Feb 7, 2006
    6
    The hype machine is in full effect. The album is not bad, but it's way overrated. It sounds a bit like the Libertines meet the Rakes. You want to hear the best of Britain? Check out Hard-Fi. Stars of CCTV is a great album that Metacritic completely missed. Maybe they'll finally list it since it's getting a U.S. release. Only 9 months late!
  13. Shantie
    Feb 8, 2006
    7
    very enjoyable album would probably have rated it 7 1/2 if that had been possible above par songwriting, some nice (early) Sonic Youth kinda music some great tracks not worth the great hype (but, let´s face it, no album is) but very enjoyable
  14. ChrisB
    Feb 9, 2006
    8
    Not as good as the Brits are saying it is but not as bad as the Americans are saying it is.
  15. JasonR
    Mar 10, 2006
    8
    Best record of it's type since "Up the Bracket". In response to the "don't let NME tell you what to think" rhetoric... Sure it's a whopping bucket of hype, but if this record deserves a 1, I'd like to know what you'd rate higher. Are you seriously saying that 90% of the music being released is be better than this. How about you think for yourself... Ignore the Best record of it's type since "Up the Bracket". In response to the "don't let NME tell you what to think" rhetoric... Sure it's a whopping bucket of hype, but if this record deserves a 1, I'd like to know what you'd rate higher. Are you seriously saying that 90% of the music being released is be better than this. How about you think for yourself... Ignore the hype and stop hangin with the holier than thou "backlash" kids. Don't believe the hype, but definately don't believe the backlash.… Expand
  16. barryq
    Mar 1, 2006
    9
    Buy it. Listen to it a few times. You will love it. It can be a bit spotty but the good bits are fantastic.
  17. Darren
    Mar 10, 2006
    7
    It's most certainly a good album, but it's inconsistent from song to song, and outside of 'When the Sun Goes Down', no track really blows me away. It doesn't live up to the hype it has received, but it's a decent album nevertheless.
  18. tylerl
    Mar 15, 2006
    9
    Say what you want about the English hype, just make shure to buy, listen to, and crank these lads to Eleven!!
  19. Rumpy05
    Mar 17, 2006
    8
    A very promising debut album. I for one cannot understand the backlash against this record. Yes, we all know that it had been hyped beyond all reason, but lets not forget this a a great effort. The saviour of british music?...no not really but why do we need a saviour? lets just enjoy what is one of better albums of the last ten years
  20. joseluizs
    Mar 2, 2006
    10
    Welcome to the Future....The Future is now !
  21. AlexC
    Mar 2, 2006
    9
    How anyone can give this less than a 7 is beyond me, and to the person that said 1)it was suited to imprssionable teenagers or 2)dads tring to be hip, you are probably the latter of the 2 buddy but prefer the osmonds or the carpenters. Quite simply outstanding for 19/20 year olds...... one for the yanks as much as the brits, turn it up loud!!!
  22. William
    Mar 2, 2006
    10
    Honestly- when you buy this album, listen to it straight through once and then walk away for a bit... its right wicked, the songs will stick in your head until you cant help but listen again, and again, and again. Best debut I've heard in years.
  23. Ann
    Mar 28, 2006
    10
    An absolutely great album. Not sure what the other voters are listening to. Can't get the tunes out of my head. Lyrics are great. Definitely a breath of fresh air.
  24. EskimonoBooYah
    Mar 4, 2006
    10
    This album is the best thing since sliced bread, which I invented. I was listening to this album the other day and this guy came up to me and asked me what I was listening to. I told him the arctic monkeys and then (because the album is so good) he tried to steal it from me but the album knew it's true owner and vaporized the man right in front of me with it's built in lazer This album is the best thing since sliced bread, which I invented. I was listening to this album the other day and this guy came up to me and asked me what I was listening to. I told him the arctic monkeys and then (because the album is so good) he tried to steal it from me but the album knew it's true owner and vaporized the man right in front of me with it's built in lazer system. It was CrAzY!!! Then the album said "I love you, Eskimono" and we hugged. If you want this or a similar experience, buy this album.… Expand
  25. RyanL
    Mar 5, 2006
    7
    Solid album. If you're a fan of somewhat frantic rock, pick it up. You'll probably find it's not as good as the hype, but not nearly as bad as the people backlashing are making it out to be.
  26. DanB
    Mar 8, 2006
    9
    Excellent debut album here. Extremely creative lyrics and melodies. Very catchy. Overall it's fun to listen to. Don't listen to the idiots who are saying it's no good. Those people are just saying that stuff because they think that they won't be "cool" if they listen to something that other people are listening to. The reason there is so much hype around these guys is Excellent debut album here. Extremely creative lyrics and melodies. Very catchy. Overall it's fun to listen to. Don't listen to the idiots who are saying it's no good. Those people are just saying that stuff because they think that they won't be "cool" if they listen to something that other people are listening to. The reason there is so much hype around these guys is because they have made a genuinely great album.… Expand
  27. MaxF
    Mar 9, 2006
    8
    You know what's worse than hype? The pretentious anti-mainsteam hordes who denounce any product getting massive critical acclaim. For if they were to admit that the hype was real, then that would affect their individualism. I am around music (popular and underground) nearly every waking moment of my life and consider myself very well versed in every genre. I usually don't post You know what's worse than hype? The pretentious anti-mainsteam hordes who denounce any product getting massive critical acclaim. For if they were to admit that the hype was real, then that would affect their individualism. I am around music (popular and underground) nearly every waking moment of my life and consider myself very well versed in every genre. I usually don't post ratings or discuss art on a message board because art/music means different things to different appreciators. However, any poster giving this album a zero or a 10 needs to check themselves. Save your scores below 5 for those that deserve it (Hillary Duff, Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys) and save your 10's and 9's for thos albums that change the landscape of popular music (Nevermind, London Calling, The Joshua Tree) This album might not be perfect, but it's a nice departure from the Shinedown's, Godsmacks, Seether's, Pop-Punk's and disposable teen acts of today's musical landscape. I haven't taken it out of my CD player for a week. It is truly an exceptional album. Anyone comparing it to Oasis should get their heads out of their a**es, it sounds nothing like it (unless anything british is Oasis). In fact, judge it on it's own merit. I don't recognize any rip off, just awesome riffs and great punkish sensibility. For God's sake...they're not JET. Don't get overrun by the hype either way, but definately buy this album. So far the best of 2006.… Expand
  28. BrianM
    Apr 11, 2006
    7
    It's amazing how this band went from underheard to SNL within a few weeks, but I still don't get it. Praise from tons of publications yet their sound isn't that original. Songs are kinda catchy I will admit. But why the hype?
  29. DLa
    Apr 13, 2006
    8
    it's pretty enjoyable beyond the ever-so-popular "i bet you look good on the dancefloor". they deserve more respect from music critics as they follow the tradition of grungy britt bands with catchy tunes. good record.
  30. JoeC
    Apr 18, 2006
    10
    This is a definitive album about moderbn day brittain told with comedy stories. It is the streets in rock and roll
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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.
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  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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