Humbug

Slightly darker than Artic Monkeys first two albums. Several classics, especially notable Dance Little Liar and Cornerstone. A must have for any AM fans.

The third album brought a change of direction as the lads were forced to stop singing about nights out in Sheffield and girls at bus stops as they no longer lived in that world. Much more mature and technically refined album than the first two and the link between that and there new material. Its got a good range of pace and energy, with the fast and hard Crying lightening, Pretty Visitors and Potion Approaching. Then there's songs that lull and swell like Dance Little Liar (one of their finest works) Fire & The Thud and My propeller which are almost hypnotic, and finally it has a good share of slower songs, almost ballads in some ways, these come in the form of Cornerstone and Secret Door. Brilliant on vinyl, a must have for any Arctic Monkeys fan.

Great sound quality and easy to clean with a correct kit. Over all could go wrong with an amazing record like this

Love this album and it gets better the more I play it. I have all the arcitic monkeys albums which I can listen to again and again, this however was one of the last I purcahsed, it is diffrerent from the first 2, but you can't miss Alex Turner's lyrics, it might be just my interpretation but I have noticed a hint of The Coral whom I am a big fan of especially their first 2 albums. It is, dare I say it, my favourite album of theirs to date. As I am getting seriously past my sell buy date its just nice to know there is music out there (currently targeted at much younger people than myself) that is really worth listening too.

I would regard myself as one of the most avid listeners of the Arctic Monkeys, and anything by Alex Turner to be honest. But I have to say that 2009's 'Humbug' is the one album by the band that listen to the least. It's still very good, but I think it's the weakest of the five. This album moved away from the sound of the first two, but I always like to see progression. If you didn't care for the 'in-your-face' style of the first releases (which I loved by the way), you might well still be able to appreciate this record, which you'll probably regard as more accomplished. The songs here are certainly more mature, but their much slower, and it took me a few listens to be able to get used this new style. I must add that this wasn't the case with the next one however, and I do believe Suck It And See to be a far better album. 'Humbug' ultimately receives a 3.5 star rating for me, it's by no means an instant classic, but just let it grow on you, I did, and I'm glad that I gave it that chance. Jamie Cook is a first-class guitar player, Alex Tuner's lyrics and vocals are up there with the very best, and his cheeky trademark words, and sneering delivering are still here, only now with some beautiful melodies in the tunes. The dreamy 'Secret Door', phenomenal and ingenious 'My Propeller', and the breezy love song 'Cornerstone' are my favourites, but the highlight comes at the very end with the magical closer: 'The Jeweller's Hands', which is a truly haunting piece, with mysterious lyrics which demand multiple interpretations. This gem has the most interesting lyrics of any the Arctic's songs, the words are so very deep, and I regard this one at least to be among my all-time favourites in Arctic Monkeys' backlog. Buy this album, there is much to enjoy.

Packaged great, no scratches or any dust on the record.

I'm huge fan of this album, I think every song is valuable. The lead single Crying Lightning is Arctic Monkeys most underrated song, its fantastic. I also love the songs "Pretty Visitors, Dance little liar and Fire and Thud". This album doesn't get old and it has some great dessert and psychedelic influences, brought in by produce Josh Homme. Arctic Monkeys at their best.

Beautiful. That’s all I can say.