Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not Image
  • Summary: Not only the most-hyped band of early 2006, Sheffield, England's Arctic Monkeys (led by 19-year-old Alex Turner) managed to accomplish what the likes of Franz Ferdinand and The Libertines couldn't do before them: set the UK record for fastest-selling debut album of all time.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 33
  2. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. Even if you've been fortunate enough to live with these tracks over the last year or so, they still sound more vital, more likely to make you form your own band than anything else out there.
  2. 100
    The thrill it provides will send a shiver of recognition through anyone who grew up with The Specials, The Smiths or Parklife. [Album of the Month, March 2006, p.86]
  3. When the record's not playing, it's hard to miss it, and the tracks that aren't standouts are simply boring.

See all 33 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Negative: 69 out of 312
  1. Whatever People Say is one of my favorite rock albums. The hooky guitar riffs and Alex's lyrics always get me in the mood. Every song feels like a single. Fake Tales From San Francisco, A Certain Romance, Riot Van, and I Bet That You Look Good On The Dance Floor are all amazing songs. All In All, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not is an astonishing record that needs to be listened too as soon as possible. A Expand
    • 2 of 2 users said yes
  2. NickR
    5
    Really boring, derivative Brit-pop. Blur perfected this about 11 years ago wtih "Parklife"- even though the British press will turn blue in the face telling you how great these guys are, they really aren't. In all fairness, however, "I Think You'd Look Good on the Dancefllor" is a very solid track. Besides that, just listen to non-singles Oasis, and you've pretty much got it. Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. laxNSnaxK
    3
    Well, this album is not as good as anything put out by the White Stripes, or Franz Ferdinand, or Super Furry Animals, or Flaming Lips, or Kaiser Chiefs. While it may be about as good as the highly overated The Strokes, that's nothing to be overly proud of. All the songs sound the same and the singing is terrible, in fact it's hard to find anything good about the album, but I have to admit I have heard much worse, so I'll give it a 3. Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 312 User Reviews

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