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. borntoultra
    Dec 21, 2018
    10
    Nunca decepcionam né queridos, foi o primeiro trabalho oficial deles e já entregaram essa obra-prima do indie rock. Mesmo depois de 12 anos nunca fica ruim.
  2. emilyc
    Sep 1, 2019
    10
    amazes me how they managed to be so good at such a young age a fantastic debut
  3. relicofficial
    Apr 18, 2020
    10
    One of Arctic Monkeys’ best albums. The amount of nostalgia I have for this album...
  4. Lhorkaven
    Jul 11, 2020
    10
    Rare rock albums in 21st century that's actually good. Hell, it's amazing. Alex Turner's lyrics are genius and the musical style is so unique. Those users who gave it negative rating in 2006 need to be smacked in the face and ears. Look how good they have become.
  5. dante2404
    Aug 20, 2022
    10
    not even AM is this good. this one being a debut album is impeccable. the guitar goes harddddd
  6. blue-intended
    Feb 13, 2023
    10
    Easily one of my favourite records. I think it really manages to capture youth in a way that is unqiue and interesting. The songs are all amazingly written and executed. Absolute classic :)
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. [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.
  11. GiacomoP
    Jan 29, 2006
    9
    Very powerful!
  12. MattB
    Jan 30, 2006
    9
    Hype or not - both the album and the preceding bootleg (widely available online) were great. I also saw them play live last year and they were awesome. This album consists of great tunes and I will eat my hat if it doesn't end up on the critics' 2006 yearlists in december.
  13. JJHoldijk
    Feb 22, 2006
    9
    This album is the definition of rock music in 2006. Not life changing, but it'll definitely push a lot of people's button. The youthfull excitement which this album is loaded with will even cause a 40-year old man living in his parents' basement to tap his feet and shake his head. Lyrics are jsut amazing, especially the way Turner spits them out at some points. Tall black This album is the definition of rock music in 2006. Not life changing, but it'll definitely push a lot of people's button. The youthfull excitement which this album is loaded with will even cause a 40-year old man living in his parents' basement to tap his feet and shake his head. Lyrics are jsut amazing, especially the way Turner spits them out at some points. Tall black men with a certain amount of bullets in their body could learn from this. To the people who think this sounds like everything else or just don't get it: just don't bother, if you dont get it now, you'll probably never get it.… Expand
  14. GarethM
    Feb 25, 2006
    9
    This is proof that Americans just don't "get" british culture, the fact is we have the greatest music scene in the world and Arctic Monkeys top it off. Forget the hype, listen to the music. What Alex Turner and his band have managed to do is make songs that tell you more about true british culture than anything else. Creative people who come from the North will always get a backlash This is proof that Americans just don't "get" british culture, the fact is we have the greatest music scene in the world and Arctic Monkeys top it off. Forget the hype, listen to the music. What Alex Turner and his band have managed to do is make songs that tell you more about true british culture than anything else. Creative people who come from the North will always get a backlash of biterness for being intelligent but that just goes with our territory. The reason the monkeys are so popular is that they are anything but pretentious, with simple catchy tunes but punctuated with clever lyrics that capture the current culture, oh, and the vocals are fantastic. Listen to "From The Ritz to the Rubble" or "A Certain Romance", The Arctic Monkeys ARE England, take it or leave it.… Expand
  15. JoeH
    Feb 27, 2006
    9
    Upon first hearing the album i did not realise how great it actually is, this album definitely grows on you and then infects you with its catchy riffs and very clever and humerous lyrics. For an album full of high points the pinnacle for me is When the Sun goes down. The only song which lets the album down is Riot Van, But this fails to change my opinion that The Arctic Monkeys are the Upon first hearing the album i did not realise how great it actually is, this album definitely grows on you and then infects you with its catchy riffs and very clever and humerous lyrics. For an album full of high points the pinnacle for me is When the Sun goes down. The only song which lets the album down is Riot Van, But this fails to change my opinion that The Arctic Monkeys are the best new band around!… Expand
  16. mikep
    Feb 5, 2006
    9
    Original lyrics and excellent delivery help to make what would sound like quite a normal album into a great one. Not quite as great as the 'hype', but then what is. That said, does have some cracking tunes that will be filling indie dancefloors for years. Filling stadiums will be trickier, but that's their charm. Whether they will be able to cross over the countries that Original lyrics and excellent delivery help to make what would sound like quite a normal album into a great one. Not quite as great as the 'hype', but then what is. That said, does have some cracking tunes that will be filling indie dancefloors for years. Filling stadiums will be trickier, but that's their charm. Whether they will be able to cross over the countries that dont undertand the phrase 'mardy bum' remains to be seen!… Expand
  17. jordand
    Feb 7, 2006
    9
    Great sound. Fun and upbeat. Great album.
  18. barryq
    Mar 1, 2006
    9
    Buy it. Listen to it a few times. You will love it. It can be a bit spotty but the good bits are fantastic.
  19. tylerl
    Mar 15, 2006
    9
    Say what you want about the English hype, just make shure to buy, listen to, and crank these lads to Eleven!!
  20. AlexC
    Mar 2, 2006
    9
    How anyone can give this less than a 7 is beyond me, and to the person that said 1)it was suited to imprssionable teenagers or 2)dads tring to be hip, you are probably the latter of the 2 buddy but prefer the osmonds or the carpenters. Quite simply outstanding for 19/20 year olds...... one for the yanks as much as the brits, turn it up loud!!!
  21. DanB
    Mar 8, 2006
    9
    Excellent debut album here. Extremely creative lyrics and melodies. Very catchy. Overall it's fun to listen to. Don't listen to the idiots who are saying it's no good. Those people are just saying that stuff because they think that they won't be "cool" if they listen to something that other people are listening to. The reason there is so much hype around these guys is Excellent debut album here. Extremely creative lyrics and melodies. Very catchy. Overall it's fun to listen to. Don't listen to the idiots who are saying it's no good. Those people are just saying that stuff because they think that they won't be "cool" if they listen to something that other people are listening to. The reason there is so much hype around these guys is because they have made a genuinely great album.… Expand
  22. FredericoM
    Apr 4, 2006
    9
    Great album all around.
  23. RobbH
    May 8, 2006
    9
    Although many have turned away from it due to "overhype", the Arctic Monkeys have put together the best dance rock album since "Silent Alarm"
  24. AC
    Apr 24, 2007
    9
    This was the best album I heard in all of 2006. Whoever said they're trying to sound like Oasis needs they're head read. The lyrics are just brilliant!
  25. 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
  26. MachuzzlewitSweedlepipe
    Jan 28, 2006
    9
    Yes, they sound like a school band, but they sound like the best school band you'll ever hear. Grin inducing tunes, sharp, unpretentious lyrics. A rare case of the hype being true.
  27. David
    Feb 12, 2006
    9
    Very good debut album...At last a young band bridges the gap between good old Rock and Roll and Hip Hop.A change had to come and there it is!!!
  28. pAULG
    Feb 21, 2006
    9
    This is proper reet gudd. Imagine a Yorkshire version of Mike Skinner playing guitar like Franz Ferdinand. Not life changing, but bloody good!
  29. NickJ
    Feb 22, 2006
    9
    The other users on this site don't know anything about rock... this is a great, energetic debut that gets better the more you listen to it. Fans of the Smiths and The Clash will love it. Although these guys don't need any more support, show the U.K. that all American aren't void of taste.
  30. Chris
    Feb 23, 2006
    9
    Fuckin' great rock'n'roll record!!
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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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