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On [the] debut, it was possible hear all the ways they were similar to their predecessors, but here it's possible to hear all the ways Arctic Monkeys is a unique, vibrant band and that's why Favourite Worst Nightmare is its own way more exciting than the debut.
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Even sharper and more cunning than its predecessor.
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Turner’s sharp narrative ear is still tuned to the revealing banalities of everyday life, the whole band admirably responsive to emotional nuance.
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BillboardThere is more than enough here to make up for any loss of zeitgeist-shattering impact the second time around. [28 Apr 2007]
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In the tradition of thorny newbie bands that get scarily too big (Nirvana, Radiohead, Weezer), they’ve followed their funny, catchy debut with a less funny, less catchy second record to prove how little they trust the good times their music obviously inspires.
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Forget about the dreaded decline. Arctic Monkeys have moved from their alarmingly evolved infancy into rock toddlerhood with glibness, swagger, and whip-smart songs intact.
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Favourite Worst Nightmare seems warped and contrived, bearing all the signs and watermarks of a band trying not to feel uncomfortable.
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Ultimately, it ends up being one fantastic follow-up that brims at the sides with vehement energy.
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At every turn this record astonishes with its accomplishment.
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Though inconsistent, this record is remarkably accomplished and immediate.
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While their second set... may not be as revelatory as the first, it's nearly as good, and suggests they may eventually live up to the most impassioned accolades.
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A second album as outstanding as this one is no nightmare; it's a dream come true.
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The record goes some way towards capturing the heaviness of that band’s live performances.
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If "Nightmare" misses some of the poetry and exhilaration of "Whatever," it has something more important: authenticity and integrity.
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Favourite Worst Nightmare finds the band getting louder, more aggressive, and, as a consequence, losing some of their youthful charm.
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MojoThis is unmistakeably the Arctics, only stronger, harder, sharper, faster.... An extraordinary and fulfilling sequel to their debut. [May 2007, p.100]
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What is most startling... is the amount of emotional depth that Turner's injected into his songs here.
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The most doubter-defying second album since 'Modern Life Is Rubbish'.
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There’s a lot of bluster and enthusiasm here but I’m struggling to identify much in the way of true substance.
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Where the Monkeys come up short is in their compositions, which are beginning to sound formulaic.
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On the evidence of Favourite Worst Nightmare, the Arctic Monkeys are playing at the very top of their and everyone else's game.
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If Favourite Worst Nightmare is notably lacking something, it's another song like the debut's standout, "A Certain Romance".
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The album sees the band moving on from the Libertines-aping chord structures of their debut and pushing in new directions.
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Arctic Monkeys have tightened up as a band and play more powerfully than before.
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Favourite Worst Nightmare is tempered by a few duds -- "Balaclava" and "If You Were There, Beware," please stand up -- but more than that, it's kind of joyless.
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Q MagazineIt's not just the songs that have improved, but also their delivery. [May 2007, p.115]
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A bit heavier and not as immediate, Favourite Worst Nightmare is a slightly lesser record, though by no means a Difficult Second Album.
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SpinThe harder the music hammers, the flatter the lyrics get. The more the band holds back, the stronger the songs become. Consequently, there's half of a great album here. [May 2007, p.83]
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For the first time, the band is inconsistent.
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Favourite Worst Nightmare, a demonstrative record of small deviations, may pale before its predecessor but is better.
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Arctic Monkeys are hardly the most important rock act in the world, or even the UK. But unlike a lot of their competition, they're a good band getting better.
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Favourite Worst Nightmare shows them pushing gently but confidently at the boundaries of their sound.
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The new songs are more melodic and even more meticulous than before.
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Favourite Worst Nightmare is a surprisingly significant improvement on an excellent debut.
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UncutFavourite Worst Nightmare is a near-triumph, a far superior Album #2 than Meat Is Murder, The Libertines, or Second Coming. Yet some doubts nag, partly because of the subject matter. [May 2007, p.84]
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Under The RadarFavourite moves forward not one inch from Whatever, which is safe and reliable, but also repetitive. [#17, p.82]
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UrbThe boys have yet to prove their worth with the tender, mellow bits... and one can't help but wonder how strong Favourite Worst Nightmare would have been as simply a full-throttle, adrenal-tapped EP. [May 2007, p.92]
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There's nothing wrong with singing witty lyrics fast and loud; there's just nothing very special about it.
Awards & Rankings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 563 out of 617
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Mixed: 29 out of 617
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Negative: 25 out of 617
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FeDAug 6, 2007Simply the bast band at the moment.
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johnApr 23, 2007Best band alive.
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Sep 22, 2011Great follow-up to their debut. Musically they've improved as well.