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. RachelM.
    Mar 1, 2006
    7
    It's not a question of either "they sound great!" or "don't believe the hype!". It's both. I personally think that most songs in this album seem simply perfect. But that is because they sound just like a band said to be "the next big thing" would, at least nowadays. Riffs, carefully designed spontaneity & a more than usual dose of Liam's (but modernised) coming exactly It's not a question of either "they sound great!" or "don't believe the hype!". It's both. I personally think that most songs in this album seem simply perfect. But that is because they sound just like a band said to be "the next big thing" would, at least nowadays. Riffs, carefully designed spontaneity & a more than usual dose of Liam's (but modernised) coming exactly when one would expect. Something you think it's new, but just before realising The Strokes are already invented. But that's "what the point is not. The point is" that NME necessity of finding a "classic band" (usually several candidates) each year has become laughable (by the way, who continues to think seriously about NME after saying X&Y is Coldplay's classic and Heathen Chemistry Oasis return to form?). What do they think they're doing? They're leading lots of young bands to believe they can be classic if they just fit into the likes of that year... So what is it? Do I like this album? Or not? I'm sure I'd loved it, simply loved it, if we weren't told to love it all the time. Because I've also been a fan of every "next big British thing" & it's the same old story. At the same time, this album is hot (terribly), stylish, fresh, and the lyrics are brilliant sometimes. Best thing this year? Who can doubt it? But it's all industry as well. And the idea of a "classic band"...pf. It's not that they cannot be, only time will tell. But classic bands are those who were, are and always be. And this band "is", and just until NME finds a more profitable icon. … Expand
  2. TedJ
    Mar 13, 2006
    7
    7. that's it, that's all, so stop hating them or sucking their dicks because they aren't deserving of either.
  3. josephs
    Mar 13, 2006
    10
    this is a superb and refreshing album well done lads keep it up
  4. TomH
    Mar 20, 2006
    0
    A band that does nothing new and fills us once more with shallow meaningless lyrics about getting drunk. They even try to be different by devizing an unfeasibly long album name.
  5. KateD
    Mar 21, 2006
    5
    It's OK, but nowhere near as good as the hype would have us believe. When the Sun Goes Down is brilliant and inventive, but everything else is just a bit predictable and dull. The supposedly incisive lyrics are well-observed, sure, but hardly mind-blowing. A number of other bands, not least Pulp (also from Sheffield) have nailed modern Britain much better. Read the Pitchfork review It's OK, but nowhere near as good as the hype would have us believe. When the Sun Goes Down is brilliant and inventive, but everything else is just a bit predictable and dull. The supposedly incisive lyrics are well-observed, sure, but hardly mind-blowing. A number of other bands, not least Pulp (also from Sheffield) have nailed modern Britain much better. Read the Pitchfork review for the best analysis I have seen of the successes and failures of this record.… Expand
  6. Jess
    Mar 2, 2006
    1
    What a bucket of hype this is. Come on people , seriously, think for yourselves and don't let the NME tell you what is what.
  7. jdg
    Mar 31, 2006
    6
    Just average. I think all the hype spoiled it. At least for me.
  8. Simon
    Mar 30, 2006
    6
    Rule Number 1. No band is worth it's hype. These guys are the latest band to fucked up the arse by the NME. Sure, Alex Turner isn't too bad as a lyricist, but the band's music is a recycled version of the Libertines minus the controversy and drugs. Don't know where all the Oasis and Blur comparisions come from. There's plenty of better music out there that'll Rule Number 1. No band is worth it's hype. These guys are the latest band to fucked up the arse by the NME. Sure, Alex Turner isn't too bad as a lyricist, but the band's music is a recycled version of the Libertines minus the controversy and drugs. Don't know where all the Oasis and Blur comparisions come from. There's plenty of better music out there that'll beat this album to my stereo.… Expand
  9. NakulP
    Apr 1, 2006
    7
    A very good album. Not quite worth the NME hyperbole, but still very good. Sure beats all the other crap around at the moment, for example James Blunt, The Streets, Embrace, all rap (Kanye excepted).
  10. O
    Apr 12, 2006
    10
    Not nearly the 5th best British Album ever (NME). But it's still bloody brilliant and much better than anything else that's come out this year.
  11. jnjgas.gn
    Apr 14, 2006
    0
    great
  12. JDWilliams
    Apr 26, 2006
    0
    Horrible overhyped shit!
  13. 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
  14. 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.
  15. JorgeT
    Apr 29, 2006
    10
    Perfect!!!
  16. Ali/m
    Apr 5, 2006
    3
    Nothing annoys me more than this "ooh we got discovered on the internet so we're indie" crap. Along with the Kaiser Chiefs this is just another post-Oasis re-hashing of the same old guitar rock we've been listening to in the UK for the last 5 years. Dull and derivative, nothing on the likes of the Futureheads, Franz Ferdinand etc.
  17. AndyG
    Apr 6, 2006
    9
    Genius. F****ing love it. The little Yorkshire b*stards.
  18. AshL
    Apr 9, 2006
    9
    Believe the hype !
  19. 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
  20. Victoria
    May 14, 2006
    0
    SHIT
  21. 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.
  22. Luis
    May 29, 2006
    9
    Awesome music & lyrics...so fresh
  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. 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
  25. JohnL
    Aug 16, 2006
    10
    The British Strokes.The libertines have nothing on these Monkeys.Best album of the year and debut since "Is This it".
  26. amuror
    Sep 27, 2006
    2
    Don't believe the evaluation of the mass communication. No CD that the rock lover should hear.
  27. GraceLC
    Sep 6, 2006
    0
    Arctic Monkeys? Mo' like the Average Monkeys! Seriously, though. These guys are a bunch of stale Jam rip-offs. Also: "Remember folks, these are the same people that brought us the Spice Girls." ... and Gang of Four, the Fall, the Associates, Joy Division, Jesus and Mary Chain, PiL, The Jam, The Who, Led Zeppelin, the Buzzcocks, the Rolling Stones, the Beatles and the Futureheads, Arctic Monkeys? Mo' like the Average Monkeys! Seriously, though. These guys are a bunch of stale Jam rip-offs. Also: "Remember folks, these are the same people that brought us the Spice Girls." ... and Gang of Four, the Fall, the Associates, Joy Division, Jesus and Mary Chain, PiL, The Jam, The Who, Led Zeppelin, the Buzzcocks, the Rolling Stones, the Beatles and the Futureheads, along with MANY other excellent bands. You were saying?… Expand
  28. juanp
    Jan 13, 2007
    10
    wow!! this album it's fantastic number 1 of the year
  29. ILOVETHEARTICMONKEYS
    Jan 25, 2007
    10
    What the hell is wrong with everyone!!!!! Average mark 6.9!!!!!!!! You got it all wrong!!!!!! They combine INCREDIBLY powerful and imaginative lyrics with a raw and unparallelled beat to it. The're one of a kind and i'll recommend this album to anyone who has been blessed with the gift of a pair of ears that work.
  30. MichaelR
    Mar 20, 2007
    0
    Based on the album's title, somebody must have said they were not absolute rubbish.
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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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