User Score
Universal acclaim- based on 446 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 401 out of 446
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Mixed: 38 out of 446
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Negative: 7 out of 446
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FredBOct 16, 2009
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HelenHSep 1, 2009Superb, how gobsmackingly uneasily poignant is Cornerstone!!
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JordanS.Oct 8, 2009
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HughTheAutomatorAug 25, 2009This album needs time and commitment. If you do, you are subject to slavery. At first listened I missed the "fast" monkeys. What they lost in speed they double won it on depth.
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ScottMAug 27, 2009Tough to get into at first, but once it hits you its easily their best album.
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DormánM.Sep 24, 2009Thats the best tricky dark music.
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SteveHSep 8, 2009The first two albums were very good but this incredibly tops it, it is hard to put it down it is so good. Takes a few spins but it is well worth it.
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NicholasMAug 25, 2009Most of the people downvoting it are doing so cause it's just not their debut album (Part II), the album shows them embracing new sounds and releasing an album with Alex Turner's finest lyrics to date, definitely a grower of an album, but a classic once you get past that
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dxAug 25, 2009It's sort of hard to believe that this is the same band that wrote songs like "I Bet You Look Good On the Dancefloor". Their songs are a bit moodier now, but show that the lads are heading in a great new direction. It's definitely a grower!
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AdamKAug 25, 2009Great album. Arctic Monkeys best effort so far. I really like Pretty Visitors, My Propeller, Cornerstone and the best track on the album The Jewellers Hands.
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XoipAug 26, 2009I prefer this album to the other two, it's a grower yes, but a really solid great album.
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RobertP.Sep 9, 2009
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BrianHNov 13, 2009This entire album "Makes my head pirouette!!!".
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RobDAug 26, 2009
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AlCSep 11, 2009It really is a grower. My Propeller is a brilliant opener.
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Nov 6, 2010
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Nov 30, 2010
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May 19, 2015
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Sep 18, 2015Humbug was the best work of the group. The lyrics, the instrumental and the sound were sensational. The group works hard creating new and genius songs, which always remain so!
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Dec 20, 2016The band's most lyrically focused album in my opinion. Each song is pure poetry and exudes style and grace. It took me a while to check out this album, but I'm really glad I did. There's not one song I don't like on this album.
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Jun 19, 2019for me, is the best Arctic Monkeys album, i'm reviewing this years later cuz i remember to do this today :v, but for me is a 99 score album
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Sep 3, 2019Pefeito melhor album deles amo todas as musicas não sei o que seria de mim sem secret door bateria maravilhosa do matt helders e as letras do alex tem metáforas totalmente inusitadas que junto com a sonoridade traz uma atmosfera sombria
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Jan 27, 2020I didn't get it until a few listens. I had heard so many fans saying humbug is the best by far, and I just didn't get it. I liked some of the songs, but it just seemed so it there to me. But after like 3 listens I can say it is a complex masterpiece.
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Feb 28, 2021Not going to say much regarding this album (as with one listen you can understand why I am writing a review with a 10 score) this is by far Arctic Monkey's best album, from the instruments to the writing style.
perfection. -
Jan 1, 2022-----------------------------------10/10-----------------------------------
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Oct 22, 2022album foda mto incrivel serio simplesmente amo dms mto mto bom e me lembra da menina mais linda desse mundo(jess
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TwelveV.Sep 6, 2009This is another great record, as usual takes a few listens but worth it. Could be album of the year.
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franzcAug 26, 2009Great album, it grows every time i listen it!
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RobertoRSep 3, 2009Darker and more mature then the previous 2 albulms, but innovative and attractive... monkeys growing better every year!
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MateoGAug 30, 2009Definitely their best yet!!! They get even better with time, and this new sound fits them perfectly...You'll like it even more after repeating listenings....This a more mature and darker sound, with 60's psychedelic music influences ranging from The Doors, to Black Sabbath.
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JanK.Sep 6, 2009Love this album,and it just keeps getting better.
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JordanM.Sep 7, 2009
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YuraSep 9, 2009Awesome darkness. Pure rock.
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VinnyGJan 20, 2010
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MihaiVNov 6, 2009Might be their most consistent album.
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CGDec 5, 2009Arctic Monkeys continue to progress and Alex Turner continues to show that he is one of the best songwriters going at the moment.
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BmanAug 25, 2009Not as catchy as their previous works. But a good album nonetheless. Turners lyrics have become more metaphorical and harder to decipher. The music is much looser when compared to the fast, tight sound they are known for. Stand-outs for me are Potion Approaching, The Fire and the Thud and Dance Little Liar. Hopefully their next album sounds just as unique.
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ACAug 25, 2009
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FranXAug 28, 2009Surprimes me one more time.
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ChrisMAug 30, 2009Not a perfect record, but incredibly enjoyable. Josh Homme's influence comes shining through, making for a darker, harder, slower sound. If you like rock and you like the Arctic Monkeys, there's a lot to like in this record.
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GinzuSep 17, 2009Liked the first album, loathed the 2nd, but absolutely loved this album. This is probably due to songs like Cornerstone, Secret Door, Dangerous Animals. I think they've really matured and for the most part don't feel the need to amp it up every second, this is a good thing. The album sounds great live too!
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dstroupSep 19, 2009Great album! Homme really brought out the desert rock sound and Queensesque stomps to this album. 2 minutes into Potion Approaching....."Oooh Yeah"- spoken in Duffmans voice
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KyleB.Sep 5, 2009Great album Great band and Great songs. Well done Arctic Monkeys
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EricJ.Oct 18, 2009I personally thought that Humbug was a refreshing turn on the Arctic Monkeys albums. I like the new Arctic Monkeys psychedelic feel. The only thing was cornerstone didn't seem like it fit that well in the album, better in a single only.
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CourtneyAug 27, 2009This album is not love at first listen. But I found that about the end of Favourite Worst Nightmare and those are the songs I still listen to off that album. You'll be rewarded by repeat listens, which is something most of the reviewers here aren't going to do. The catchiness isn't immediate but definitely will grab you strongly.
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TonyMAug 27, 2009With each album the monkeys have taken a few steps in new directions, Humbug see's them go for a darker more menacing sound. stay with this album and you will richly rewarded.
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Feb 10, 2011For the two previous albums it is very easy to see the change to a more melodic song but this is not necessarily bad, and songs like "Secret Door" prove it. Album that easily addictive.
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Mar 22, 2011
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Apr 8, 2011Excellent album, great experimentation and growth from the first two albums. Opens up a whole new area for them and expands them from being an amazing catchy witty band into a fully fledged rock band.
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Aug 15, 2011They haven't reached these dark territories up to this point. This was my favorite album from 2009. You can hear Josh Homme's production all over this record (which isn't a bad thing). Alex Turner's lyrics/social commentary is a revolution (he progresses every album). Can't wait to see where they go from here.
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Jan 3, 2015
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Nov 11, 2014Bro at first I wasn't a massive fan of this album at first but after I listened to it a second time I thought it was great. Crying Lightning just brought this album alive.
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May 26, 2020unique album, with amazing music this is humbug, another masterpiece of arctic monkeys. giving another good sequence
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Apr 9, 2021Humbug is a very unique piece of art. Another amazing Arctic Monkeys album.
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JoeNov 4, 2009Really good album, one of the best albums I've heard all year. It's a more mature release than Favorite Worst Nightmare. The music is dark and hard something you would expect from Josh Homme (Queens of the Stoneage). It'll be interesting to see where they go from here.
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OmarCAug 26, 2009Turner remains a lyrical genius, and the music is darker and sexier than ever. It lacks an anthem, but that's easily compensated for with tracks like 'Cornerstone'. I'm not convinced that this sound will remain, but rather an example of the band looking to explore - and I rather like it.
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jamesaSep 1, 2009Each album has its own style ,and heres another one very welcome to my ears! Gets better everytime i listen to it!!
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RickZSep 17, 2009It takes a few listens to let it grow on you, but it sure does pay off. It is a nice thing to see the band really mature. All three albums were in a different style and I really like the direction they're heading right now. Give it a chance. Love it.
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sVc.Aug 27, 2009
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Nov 26, 2010
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Jun 8, 2011A menacing, foreboding and psychedelic record, the Monkeys really show a desire to push the boundaries on Humbug (that is, if they had any). Spin it several times and you'll find it growing on you, as it doesn't replicate the hooks and melody of the first two albums, but pulls you in with the atmosphere and talented songwriting.
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May 28, 2011
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Apr 16, 2023The arctic monkeys have changed their sound into a much more mature, metal inspired, psychedelic one
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jyotirmayad.Sep 28, 2009I immediately liked the pace and sound of it. ...a very smooth recording with hardly any ups or downs. ...evenly paced, it is undoubtedly influenced by the singer's other project - Last Shadow Puppets - which is a 60s shoegazer project.
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WoutN.Nov 29, 2009Good album, good album. Unfortunately it is less good than the first two albums. Whatever People Say was the best, good rock en pop too. Favourite Worst Nightmare was okay, but less than their first. And this one... where is the real AM? This one is too soft. Not that it's bad! No, eally it is okay... but it could been better!
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TsarNov 8, 2009Well, I used to love Arctic Monkeys. And I got so excited for the release of this album. So I bought one after the release date. To be honest, I'm looking for the fast drum beats, and awesome riffs that i didn't get with this album. Favorite Worst Nightmare and their style is the best. They are quite boring this time. And sort of recreating some of The Smiths songs.
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CamDAug 29, 2009As an album, it doesn't hold up too well. But there are a few select tracks that are quite strong on their own.
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Aug 8, 2012
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RamirezSep 26, 2009
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BrynT.Oct 5, 2009Not a bad album, not great either; but more importantly it was hugely unoriginal and cringinly copycat smiths-blur influences etc. at times.
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RicardoC.Sep 2, 2009The album is depressive in a way that doesn't get to you, it just gets you bored. The only decent songs are the first two.
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dacreAug 30, 2009Another example of an overproduced album. All the rawness of their previous releases is gone. They have basically followed the same course as The Strokes. That's too bad.
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Jun 13, 2011I was expecting so much from this album and couldn't help but be disappointed. There are some decent tracks but as an album it just doesn't seem to come together. The first 2 albums have this quality that demands you listen to the albums over and over while Humbug just doesn't. Overall, overproduced and underwhelming.
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Oct 20, 2011
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Jan 20, 2012
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drunkestepdaddadAug 29, 2009
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Sep 14, 2011The energy of the Monkeys have gone away in this album (and luckily came back in the following "Suck It And See") and they seem to be carrying a rock. Still, some songs as "My Propeller", "Secret Door" and "Dance Little Liar" have interesting melodies as well as lyrics. Not their best, but now we know Arctic Monkeys recovered.
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dantedAug 27, 2009Nothing new, nothing original, in some songs sound like nirvana, in other like prodigy, and other bands, very disappointing.
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Sep 1, 2013This album feels an sounds like a quarter life crisis. Are the tunes, riffs and songwriting strong? Yes. But at the end of it all they fail to make me care or connect as a listener. A few strong tracks would have made a memorable EP, but they really couldn't afford to make yet another one of those. Yawn. Next please Monkeys.
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NachoC.Aug 25, 2009Like the Kings of Leon, the Arctic Monkeys lost that rebellion that fueled their inspirations and made them the unique bands that they were but now they have turned into something more along the lines of Corporate Jingles. I tried liking this album, I really did, but Humbug was just extremely disappointing.
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TiagoAAug 26, 2009I don't Like this band , they get worse and worse. This album it's ridiculous.
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Awards & Rankings
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Since so much of Humbug is about its process, it's not always immediately accessible or pleasurable to an outside listener, nor is it quite the thickly colored freakout Homme's presence suggests.
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Turner’s defense mechanisms are as honed and as vicious as his rather formidable bullshit detector has proven to be in albums past, and whatever Humbug lacks in middle fingers, or even thematic continuity, it makes up for with sinister gazes and scathing ambiguities.
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Humbug isn't better than either of its predecessors, but it expands the group's range and makes me curious where it might go next.