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. grahamd
    Jan 31, 2006
    10
    worthy of all hype, this album is brilliant from its first minute till its last.
  2. TomB
    Jan 30, 2006
    5
    I challenge anyone to follow your heart musically for a year, really listen to what's out there ... take some chances, take some recommendations, etc - and then come back to this one. It just doesn't add up. This is a very average album pumped up by a relentless British music press. There are less ideas in this album than the first Strokes album, and anyone with half an ear knew I challenge anyone to follow your heart musically for a year, really listen to what's out there ... take some chances, take some recommendations, etc - and then come back to this one. It just doesn't add up. This is a very average album pumped up by a relentless British music press. There are less ideas in this album than the first Strokes album, and anyone with half an ear knew they'd be utterly out of ideas by album #3.… Expand
  3. MattJ
    Jan 30, 2006
    10
    Anyone who says this is a bad album is entitled to their opinion, just its wrong!, 3 things that make this band great, lyrics, catchy riffs, and they maintain it live (i've seen em) an album that deserves the hype for a change
  4. 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.
  5. jamesh
    Jan 30, 2006
    8
    a great observation into working class england but really just a result of the libertines genius
  6. 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.
  7. wilhelmf
    Jan 30, 2006
    0
    the most overrated band of the last 50 years. they've got a catchy single and a lot of boring songs, but nme needs a new idol every year.
  8. TheGarfie
    Jan 30, 2006
    2
    A vacuous pointless exercise in hype so succesful in its execution that I suspect its a government conspiracy. How many more albums must we have based on the chavy antics of middle class boys pretending their fathers are miners? All the wit of an episode of '2 Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps', the musical excitement of a block of lard and the fact that they look frankly A vacuous pointless exercise in hype so succesful in its execution that I suspect its a government conspiracy. How many more albums must we have based on the chavy antics of middle class boys pretending their fathers are miners? All the wit of an episode of '2 Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps', the musical excitement of a block of lard and the fact that they look frankly RUBBISH make for a band whos success will go down as one of the great mysteries of the 21st century. Pathetic.… Expand
  9. MartinM
    Jan 30, 2006
    1
    This album is about as original as a Joan Rivers joke
  10. mikim
    Jan 30, 2006
    10
    great, best british act in 2006. it seems that is going to be a great year for r'n'r music.
  11. 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.
  12. AdrianK
    Jan 29, 2006
    6
    Above average. The hype may have had something to do with it, but this album certainly does NOT deserve the #5 spot on NME's GREATEST BRITISH ALBUMS OF ALL-TIME. You mean to tell me that this is musically/llyrically superior to Radiohead's OK Computer?? I'm sorry to all you British folks but this is far from "ground-breaking."
  13. raulj
    Jan 29, 2006
    5
    really pathetic writing skills here and music that is far from interesting. don't believe the hype, boi!
  14. mattg
    Jan 29, 2006
    8
    the arctic monkeys have produced a superb album but to say they are on par with oasis is a little premature! out of all the tunes 1 or 2 let it down but overall superb!
  15. FearghalL
    Jan 29, 2006
    10
    this band tell it like it is there lyrics are as clever as anything the smiths ever produced believe the hype these guys are set for world domination
  16. ChrisP
    Jan 29, 2006
    10
    I think the album deserves a nine, but I'm giving it ten simply to balance against the idiots who can only review a CD with reference to context or other bands. If you think AM sound like Libertines, then it's time for that yearly ear wash. As someone says earlier, the fact that Stylus and Playlouder review it only with reference to NME is hardly surprising, but it's still I think the album deserves a nine, but I'm giving it ten simply to balance against the idiots who can only review a CD with reference to context or other bands. If you think AM sound like Libertines, then it's time for that yearly ear wash. As someone says earlier, the fact that Stylus and Playlouder review it only with reference to NME is hardly surprising, but it's still quite sad that music journos of this type get any work whatsoever. The album itself is hurt by a couple of less than excellent translations from demo to professional studio, see Mardy Bum and Certain Romance. On the other hand, Red Lights..., Probably Couldn't See... and View from the Afternoon are stupendously good. I've seen them 6 times now (it helps being in Sheffield) and if you're lucky enough to have tickets for the NME tour, then you're in for a treat. But please please please, show some respect for the other bands on the bill, us Arctic Monkeys fans are getting quite the reputation. It's not the fifth best album of all time, but it's still outstanding and will be the best of the year at a canter.… Expand
  17. GiacomoP
    Jan 29, 2006
    9
    Very powerful!
  18. MartinW
    Jan 29, 2006
    0
    As Johnny says above: "This CD is boring and just rips off oasis" ... who ripped off The Beatles and everybody else! Warning: "Don't Believe The Hype" (as somebody else once said). We'll see how well The Monkeys fare in a few years' time. Will they go the same way as Hear'Say (the previous best-selling debut album) or The Stone Roses (arguably the BEST debut album). As Johnny says above: "This CD is boring and just rips off oasis" ... who ripped off The Beatles and everybody else! Warning: "Don't Believe The Hype" (as somebody else once said). We'll see how well The Monkeys fare in a few years' time. Will they go the same way as Hear'Say (the previous best-selling debut album) or The Stone Roses (arguably the BEST debut album). Either way, I hope they disband soon, then we can have the next round of "Best-Group-Since-The-Beatles". [I was panicking that I was going to have to give this 1/10. Mighty relieved there was a '0'!]… Expand
  19. sk
    Jan 29, 2006
    10
    10 out of 10.
  20. Monkeyseemonkeydoo
    Jan 28, 2006
    4
    i read Q magazine and there was this voting is done by their readers to pick their most favourite album of all times..and the readers dare to put this album in the top 10 list..don't tell me this one is better than the jesus & mary chain's Psychocandy or how about The Cure's Pornography...don't believe the hype, warns Chuck D !
  21. 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.
  22. ToddK
    Jan 28, 2006
    10
    Why do you americans just brush off anything brittish straight away. The monkeys are better than anything i have heard come out from america for a long time. This is an awsome album and should be owned by all!
  23. MikeM
    Jan 28, 2006
    2
    this is complete hype. bands such as Art Brut and Franz Ferdinand still sound even more original. the industry must be severely lacking for this so-called band to get the exposure they're recieving.
  24. GarrisonF
    Jan 27, 2006
    5
    Almost as overrated as the new Franz Ferdinand. They got alot potential. Personally I feel artists like The New Lows, Bark Bark Bark, and Harley Goldstein deserve the spotlight. No one deserves hype for one quality single. Music should sell itself. Download "Dancefloor" and check out those other artists and you be the judge.
  25. PaulW
    Jan 27, 2006
    10
    Uber cool album with great lyrics for such a young band, brilliant album!
  26. BenJ
    Jan 27, 2006
    3
    I thought the Libertines disbanded?
  27. markc
    Jan 27, 2006
    10
    the best debut album in 15 years absolute class
  28. 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
  29. AaronS
    Jan 27, 2006
    2
    All hype and nothing else. Yet more proof the British indie scene is stagnant. I rank it lower than I should only because of the massive hype surrounding it.
  30. cdk
    Jan 27, 2006
    10
    best rock album in years, revitalizing and addictive and so very full of that brit swagger
  31. BenG
    Jan 27, 2006
    10
    Some of the songs should probably have been b-sides but the quality of the rest more than makes up for a few dodgy ones. Brilliant album. Brilliant band. Can't wait to see them live!
  32. [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.
  33. 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.
  34. PedroL
    Jan 26, 2006
    9
    Well... yes, they are really hyped by british media, but their record is still great. On 2005 we had Bloc Party and Hard-Fi as fantastic new bands (maybe Kaiser Chiefs also), now you can add Arctic Monkeys to that list.
  35. johnnybgoode
    Jan 26, 2006
    3
    this CD is boring and just rips off oasis.
  36. ArcticMonkey
    Jan 26, 2006
    8
    Wicked cool album, these yougens have got some thing that can be huge!!
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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
See all critic reviews »