Review Summary: I love that little game you had called...
It all reads like a bad joke. A garage indie band from Sheffield vanish into the deserts of California and emerge a few months later with a psychedelic stoner rock record. There's no punchline.
Recorded mainly in Joshua Tree, California at Rancho De La Luna, Arctic Monkeys took a complete detour from what was to be expected. On top of the world after two smash hit albums, with a dedicated army of loyal fans and critics to boot, the musical world held its breath as the Monkeys began to record their new album. And when they returned from the U.S, a finished album ready for release, no body was really expecting what they gave us. Fine were the punk rock lad anthems about getting chinned in kebab shops and drinking cider in the park. Instead, an album dominated by spiraling organ fills, aggressive riffs and out of control drums arrived in its place. And with a fitting name to boot. Humbug. Indeed what an accurate title. Many Monkeys fans were alienated by the sudden dark turn their music had taken. Relatable lyrics had been replaced with surreal Bob Dylan esq poetry. People wrote it off as psychedelic bollocks. But those who chose to stick with it, found a rewarding, heavy album with plenty to offer.
Lead track 'My Propeller' opens with thundering drums and doom laden guitar work, almost immediately showing the new direction the boys had taken. Highlight track 'Crying Lightning' juggles crunchy bass lines and some of Tuner's most expressive lyrics at that time. Other highlights include 'Cornerstone', a perfect slice of psychedelic pop and the fantastic 'Pretty Visitors', a full on assault to the senses with almost rapped verses and circus like organ lines, matched by a hypnotic chanting chorus. It isn't a perfect record, however. The midway number 'Fire And The Thud' never really takes off and the otherwise beautiful closer 'The Jeweller's Hands' overstays its welcome by a good minute. Turner's lyrical game is confusing at first, nothing like their first two records. Here it reads more like avant garde French poetry, but it still contains the same humor and wit that graced their first two albums. But the spectacular playing, gloomy and heavy feel and fantastic lyrics and vocals make Humbug a real gem. Indeed, many modern fans consider it to be their favorite AM album (Hi Joe!) and I doubt it's dark horse like popularity will fade anytime soon.
Standout tracks:
Crying Lightning
Secret Door
Cornerstone
Dance Little Liar
Pretty Visitors
Standout lyrics:
'She was close, and she held me very tightly
'Til I asked awfully politely, please
Can I call you her name' - Cornerstone
"What came first: the chicken or the dickhead?" - Pretty Visitors
"The secret door swings behind us
She's saying nothing
She's just giggling along
And even if they were to find us
I wouldn't notice, I'm completely occupied" - Secret Door
