Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
by Arctic Monkeys
  • Record Label: Domino
  • Release Date: Feb 21, 2006
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 907 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 763 out of 907
  2. Mixed: 64 out of 907
  3. Negative: 80 out of 907

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  1. Vampire25
    Nov 24, 2010
    10
    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 beWhatever 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. markc
    Jan 27, 2006
    10
    the best debut album in 15 years absolute class
  3. GiacomoP
    Jan 29, 2006
    9
    Very powerful!
  4. Kris
    Jan 27, 2006
    9
    This is truly a remarkable album. "Soon it'll be cool to hate the Arctic Monkeys" Alex Turner said in an interview, and to judge by some reviews, this is true. It's like they're being punished for NME's enthusiasm about the band. Arcitc Monkyes reviews often turn into an NME-frenzy, which is a pity, as this album is worth much more than e.g. the Stylus and Playlouder This is truly a remarkable album. "Soon it'll be cool to hate the Arctic Monkeys" Alex Turner said in an interview, and to judge by some reviews, this is true. It's like they're being punished for NME's enthusiasm about the band. Arcitc Monkyes reviews often turn into an NME-frenzy, which is a pity, as this album is worth much more than e.g. the Stylus and Playlouder reviews. Let's have some reviews about the Arctic Monkeys, please! Not about the hype.… Expand
  5. j30
    Sep 22, 2011
    8
    Stellar debut album by the kids from Sheffield and happens to be one of the best records of the past decade.
  6. Mick
    Jan 27, 2006
    9
    Deserves this score simply for 'I bet you look good on the dancefloor', 'AView from the Afternoon', 'Still Take You Home', and 'Fake Tales of San Fransisco'. I don't think it is the best debut of all time and niether does NME, however, if guitar music is your thing then the Arctic Monkeys are well worth checking out.
  7. Alex
    Feb 6, 2006
    8
    There's no way this CD could live up to the hype being generated. But that doesn't mean it's not a good record. (It's at least /very/ good.) And the more I listen to it, the more I like it. The sound is just different enough from Franz Ferdinand and their ilk to make it refreshing. And you've got to love those accents.
  8. Jabu
    Mar 2, 2006
    10
    My album of the year so far, a must buy! I know there is alot of hype and i too was sceptical but simply its brilliant.
  9. snilsen
    Apr 5, 2006
    8
    This is not just a good record, it's really quite good, and if it had any real originality to it I'd score it higher. Basically, to me it sounds like an amalgam of current trends: Franz Ferdinand, The Strokes and White Stripes. Roll it all together and add in some Built to Spill riffing, i.e. control and quality is solid, that';s what you've got. Lyrics are pretty This is not just a good record, it's really quite good, and if it had any real originality to it I'd score it higher. Basically, to me it sounds like an amalgam of current trends: Franz Ferdinand, The Strokes and White Stripes. Roll it all together and add in some Built to Spill riffing, i.e. control and quality is solid, that';s what you've got. Lyrics are pretty decent, if not good. Most importantly, there's sarcasm or awareness in the band's delivery, with the closer being an over rip off of a Strokes tune that they riupped off from something more obscure. Talant doing what's cool and doing it well. The album is pretty much 100%. If you liked Radio 4 - Gothem, you should like this too.… Expand
  10. VedranK
    Nov 13, 2006
    10
    The best album of 2006 so far
  11. Andy
    Jan 30, 2006
    8
    Goes a bit awry in the middle but likely to be up there come the envitable Albums of the Year listings. Great upbeat tunes abound with only Riot Van slowing things down somewhat. Red Lights Indicates Doors are Secured drives along at a fantastic rate and is simply about the problems in trying to get into a taxi late at night.
  12. madsl
    Jan 30, 2006
    8
    All the massive hype will probably spurn their initial downfall..but for now this is a refreshing and vital album that sits comfortably along other great British artists of the last three decades. The song about vampires, though, is really dreadful crap. Mardy Bum and The ritz to the rubble is top of the class and future classics in indiedom.
  13. reeset
    Feb 1, 2006
    8
    brilliant!
  14. TimmyH
    Feb 2, 2006
    10
    The best debut for a long, long time. Fun, exciting and made to be played loud. The hype machine is in full force, but this time theres something of substance behind it.
  15. MaliniR.
    Feb 20, 2006
    9
    After a couple of listens I was hooked. But the only thing that I feel deserves recognition on this album is the lead singer. It's his energy that brings everything together.
  16. damian
    Feb 3, 2006
    10
    SIMPLY GREAT!
  17. carl
    Feb 6, 2006
    10
    fucking great !!!!
  18. MartinJ
    Feb 6, 2006
    7
    Not bad. But why some people can't stop acting rashly?
  19. JohnH
    Mar 5, 2006
    10
    Uhhh... Clash..... Class.... rock... Beatles... what more can be said... great.
  20. JMcCartha
    Mar 6, 2006
    7
    May be the best at what they do, the personal factor is whether or not you care about what they do.
  21. JimmyR
    Apr 20, 2006
    9
    very good album, full of catchy tunes. Probably the highlight of the album is the vocals. if your unsure on whether getting this album or not i'd have a listen to "mardy bum" from the album. if you like that you should like the album and vice versa.
  22. AliB
    Apr 28, 2006
    10
    This album rocks!! An album that has you gripped right until the very end deserves all the acclaim in the world, and this is certainly one that falls into that category.
  23. RobbieM
    May 3, 2006
    10
    I can´t remember to anything better than this (maybe except White Stripes)
  24. ClaytonC
    May 5, 2006
    8
    A BritPop classic... worth all the hype!
  25. jasonm
    Jun 8, 2006
    10
    fukin great
  26. ReviewBoy15
    Jan 26, 2007
    10
    Listen to me everyone. I'm going to tell everyone the truth about albums these days. I myself (15 years) am the front man of an up and coming band in Brussels, Belgium. I know ALL about indie, alternative, punk, rock, etc. My reviews and scores are the final word. The Arctic Monkeys are my favourite band of all time. ALL TIME. They have something that other indie bands dont really Listen to me everyone. I'm going to tell everyone the truth about albums these days. I myself (15 years) am the front man of an up and coming band in Brussels, Belgium. I know ALL about indie, alternative, punk, rock, etc. My reviews and scores are the final word. The Arctic Monkeys are my favourite band of all time. ALL TIME. They have something that other indie bands dont really have. Their lyrics are incredible, he just sings about anything and makes it sound like a magical story. And the instrumental work (in particular the drums) is unparallelled. I dont give out tens for nothing but this is something special. Go out and get yourself a copy now!… Expand
  27. AbelD
    Feb 8, 2007
    10
    Amazing album. Probably the best debut album in the last decade.
  28. bobr
    May 3, 2007
    10
    Love the vocal style and lyrics. This album's awesome. "When the sun goes down" is my favorite.
  29. dannyboy
    Aug 25, 2009
    10
    Like ok computer and definitely maybe before it you just cannot dent this album. despite being played on the basic set up of guitars bass and drums it strill manges to sound utterly unique. following on from the libertenes and the strokes anyone who likes popular music of anykind should find something to like about this album. it doesn't matter if the NME seem to like them a lot. Like ok computer and definitely maybe before it you just cannot dent this album. despite being played on the basic set up of guitars bass and drums it strill manges to sound utterly unique. following on from the libertenes and the strokes anyone who likes popular music of anykind should find something to like about this album. it doesn't matter if the NME seem to like them a lot. what is important is that this is damn good old fashioned British indie rock. buy it now.… Expand
  30. [Anonymous]
    Jan 27, 2006
    9
    Those that say the Arctic Monkeys are simply and overhyped band need to remember this point, the hype surrounding this album come from the fact that most people have had access to the songs on this album for months now, as well as a handful of other great tunes. The Arctic Monkeys hype is, not hype based on nothing it's hype based on great tunes and amazing live performances.
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Awards & Rankings

34
#34 Best Album of 2006
2
#2 Most Discussed Album of 2006
12
#12 Most Shared Album of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. BBC collective
    90
    It’s exciting stuff, simple yet deadly effective.
    Read full review
  2. Dot Music
    90
    Such is the depth and quality of Turner's songwriting, it plays like a best of.
    Read full review
  3. musicOMH.com
    90
    It's not a totally perfect record, for which we should be thankful - remember what happened to The Stone Roses after they'd released their flawless debut? - but it is an excellent first album, and gives notice that Alex Turner is already one of this country's best lyricists.
    Read full review
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