Suck It and See
by Arctic Monkeys
  • Record Label: Domino
  • Release Date: Jun 7, 2011
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
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  1. AllMusic
    Jun 6, 2011
    70
    Suck It And See may be at the opposite end of the spectrum from the Humbug--it's concentrated and purposeful where its predecessor sprawled--yet it still demands attention from the listener, delivering its rewards according to just how much time you're willing to devote.
  2. Pitchfork
    Jun 9, 2011
    75
    The record itself brims with endlessly replayable details, some goofy and some poignant, both in frontman Alex Turner's always keenly observed lyrics and in the band's ever-proficient music, the latter of which ranges here from muscular glam-rock to chiming indie pop balladry.
  3. PopMatters
    Jun 8, 2011
    80
    Ponderous sobriety will never be the way of the Arctic Monkeys, and their prodigious cheekiness has hardly been tempered much on Suck It and See. But Alex Turner and his bandmates are clearly expanding their abilities and getting better at focusing their fire with every release.
  5. Q Magazine
    Jun 3, 2011
    80
    This push 'n' pull between pop and rock, sweet and sour, is a motif throughout but, crucially, Suck It And See also comes with a spacedust kick. [July 2011, p. 104]
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  6. New Musical Express (NME)
    Jun 3, 2011
    90
    In an age where even Britpop corpse-botherers Brother trumpet their desire to collaborate with Odd Future, the Monkeys have made a record heavily indebted to late-'80s indie and a small group of white, male '70s singer-songwriters: Lou Reed, David Bowie, and Leonard Cohen.
  7. Rolling Stone
    Jun 7, 2011
    70
    The Monkeys' cheeky verbosity marks them as distinctly British, as does their preference for retro-leaning guitar pop.
  8. musicOMH.com
    Jun 6, 2011
    80
    So the odd mis-step aside, the death of Arctic Monkeys appears to have been greatly exaggerated. Rather, this is another intriguing evolution for one of the country's great bands, and a shot in the arm for Britain's rather moribund 'indie guitar' scene.
  9. Under The Radar
    Jun 6, 2011
    70
    Arctic Monkeys continue to carve out a consistently thrilling career on possibly their best record yet. [May 2011, p.75]
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  10. The Guardian
    Jun 3, 2011
    80
    Suck It and See's worst crime isn't overindulgence, but occasionally sounding ordinary.
  11. Drowned In Sound
    Jun 3, 2011
    70
    It would be churlish to suggest Suck It And See is Arctic Monkeys' finest record to date. By the impeccably high standards they've set so far it ranks as a good rather than great album, and only deepens the mystery as to where the Arctic Monkeys may venture next, both as a group and in their various solo guises.
  12. Spin
    Jun 3, 2011
    80
    Suck It blends the deliberateness of that record with the fleet-footedness of their still-stunning 2006 debut Whatever You Say I Am, That's What I'm Not and follow-up My Favourite Worst Nightmare.
  13. Paste Magazine
    Jun 7, 2011
    83
    The album won't blindside you or beat you over the head with anything - but it'll sure leave a mark.
  14. Consequence
    Jun 7, 2011
    80
    Even if Suck it and See didn't shape up to be as fine an album as it proves to be, the quartet behind it deserve major credit for their ensuring that any conversation about them has to do, first and foremost, with their music.
  15. Entertainment Weekly
    Jun 7, 2011
    67
    It hits hard, but the boyish energy of their early work is still missed. [3/10 Jun 2011, p.112]
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  16. Slant Magazine
    Jun 6, 2011
    80
    It's a shame that the group has completely ditched their indulgent psychedelic frills, but it's also wonderful to have Turner immersing himself in beguiling pop songwriting again. It's invariably what he does best, and Suck It and See contains truly superb pop moments in abundance.
  17. Alternative Press
    Jun 3, 2011
    70
    [Turner's] newer sound, along with more layered arrangements, lends itself nicely to Arctic Monkeys' take on pop, balladry and stoner rock. [Jul 2011, p.106]
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  18. No Ripcord
    Jun 6, 2011
    90
    What is clear is that the Arctic Monkeys of 2011 have produced, probably by a significant margin, the best British Rock 'n' Roll album you will hear this year, and on top of that there's the comforting sense that Suck It And See will only age well.
  19. Sputnikmusic
    Jun 6, 2011
    80
    There is a sweet strand of diversity, subtle or otherwise, permeating the record and points towards the coming together of comfort and talent.
  20. Prefix Magazine
    Jul 6, 2011
    70
    If that score at the top of this review seems unfriendly, it's not because they've grown boring or predictable; it's just another step in an ongoing process.
  21. Boston Globe
    Jun 6, 2011
    70
    With their fourth album, they settle nicely into a solid career as a guitar rock band as interested in frantic danceable rhythms as smoother, but still fidgety, ballads marked by lush, reverb-laden crooning.
  22. BBC Music
    Jun 6, 2011
    70
    While the reins of pomp have certainly been reined in somewhat, it's hard to shake the suspicion that Suck It and See is further evidence that Arctic Monkeys are still Britain's best guitar band--albeit one that'd be even better if they ever decide to truly lunge into the unknown.
  23. Filter
    Jun 6, 2011
    66
    While the album may not push these strengths far enough, it definitely doesn't suck.
  24. Beats Per Minute
    Jun 7, 2011
    85
    Suck It And See is an almost seamless step forward, reaffirming the notion that the band's shelf life is probably much longer than initially estimated. More importantly, it proves they still have places to go.
  25. Delusions of Adequacy
    Jun 30, 2011
    80
    While the design is a bit different, the result is still another awesome album to add to Arctic Monkeys' arsenal.
  26. The Telegraph (UK)
    Jun 6, 2011
    80
    After an opinion-dividing experimental phase with 2009's Humbug, roar back to melodic life on their fourth album.
  27. CMJ
    Jun 21, 2011
    80
    On its fourth LP, Arctic Monkeys combines its clever, tongue-in-cheek wordplay with a wider variety of sounds than it ever used on its other releases.

Awards & Rankings

33
#33 Most Discussed Album of 2011
38
#38 Most Shared Album of 2011

User Reviews

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User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 367 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 310 out of 367
  2. Mixed: 50 out of 367
  3. Negative: 7 out of 367
  1. rwkleinjr
    Jun 11, 2011
    10
    To record Humbug, Arctic Monkeys headed to the California desert with a slew of incomplete song ideas and the mood to experiment a bit. ThisTo record Humbug, Arctic Monkeys headed to the California desert with a slew of incomplete song ideas and the mood to experiment a bit. This time around, the band prepared and tried to perfect their songs at home before traveling to Los Angeles to record. The result is a more immediate album, but also one that may take a few listens to fully appreciate.

    The first two songs released off of the album (Brick By Brick and Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair) were quite a misdirection for fans since, besides those two and the jagged Library Pictures, the rest of Suck It And See contains very summer-friendly melodies and choruses. Some of the band's most successful previous singles were more joyful than rocky, and this time around Alex Turner and company seemed to make it a point to perfect that type of sound.

    Black Treacle, Reckless Serenade, title track Suck It And See, and closer That's Where You're Wrong will likely hook you quicker than anything they've recorded since Fluorescent Adolescent. The aforementioned "heavier" songs (though they still roll out at a pace much slower than the band's older material) work well on the album and provide necessary tempo changes.

    Track-for-track, this is likely the Arctic Monkeys' best album to date, providing twelve songs that range from fun to spectacular, and absolutely no filler. The only complaint I have is the fact that I like the Submarine OST recording of Piledriver Waltz a bit more than this album version, but it's still very good in its own right. While listening to Suck It And See, you'll likely realize that this is a band that is fine-tuning its skill set and using all of the tricks they've learned so far to create some wonderful music. Can't wait to see where they go next.    … Full Review »
  2. andy399
    Jun 7, 2011
    9
    Excellent album - in my opinion the best since their debut. The Hellcat Spangled Shalalala, Love Is A Laserquest, and That's Where You'reExcellent album - in my opinion the best since their debut. The Hellcat Spangled Shalalala, Love Is A Laserquest, and That's Where You're Wrong are up there with their very best stuff.… Full Review »
  3. WadeVS
    Sep 1, 2013
    9
    I remember the day my mate brought Humbug home from HMV. A bunch of us were at his place and when he put it on we all held our breathsI remember the day my mate brought Humbug home from HMV. A bunch of us were at his place and when he put it on we all held our breaths rapturously to hear the long awaited return of the Arctic Monkeys. We all left disappointed. No song grabbed us. Suck It And See, on the other hand, is an album where every single track is a potential single. Alex's songwriting tends to take centre stage here, in all it's dry witted, self deprecating glory. Yes he compares a woman's mini skirt to a shotgun and yes the he pulls it off (the comparison that is...I'm sure the skirt followed though). Whilst this is definitely their most chilled album overall (only on three tracks do they really rock out), it is pure ear candy from 'Brick By Brick' to 'That's Where You're Wrong'. You can feel the sunshine on this record. And what makes it pure rock and roll is that it isn't trying to be rock and roll. My only resignation is that with every track being this perfect, you do get bored at some point and the songs squashed in the middle do end up losing their appeal in retrospect. But this is a fine, fine album and I suspect it will have longevity when listened to in context of their discography. Unlike Humbug.… Full Review »
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