Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
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Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not Image
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 33 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 788 Ratings

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  • 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.

Top Track

When The Sun Goes Down
So who's that girl there? I wonder what went wrong So that she had to roam the streets She don't do major credit cards I doubt she does receipts It's... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. New Musical Express (NME)
    100
    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. Blender
    100
    What elevates the Monkeys into a class of their own is Turner. [Apr 2006, p.113]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Dot Music
    90
    Such is the depth and quality of Turner's songwriting, it plays like a best of.
  4. NOW Magazine
    80
    Their riff-heavy songs are brashly delivered – favouring attitude over technique – but it's Turner's keenly observed vignettes of bored text-messaging teens that really connect.
  5. Pitchfork
    74
    At times charming, oddly affecting, and certainly promising but understandably something less than life changing.
  6. Trouser Press
    70
    Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not manages to celebrate and mock its cultural milieu simultaneously with genuine affection and sarcasm balanced so well that the scale never tips too far either way.
  7. No Ripcord
    40
    One good single does not a great album make, and unfortunately, the rest of the record becomes pretty tedious, pretty quickly.

See all 33 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 216 out of 325
  2. Mixed: 40 out of 325
  3. Negative: 69 out of 325
  1. willO
    Feb 21, 2006
    10
    Just proves that British rock keeps producing amazing albums. Alex Turner the leadman is fronting one of the greatest bands in the future. Just proves that British rock keeps producing amazing albums. Alex Turner the leadman is fronting one of the greatest bands in the future. This album is totally amazing, and is a must have for sure!… Expand
  2. juanp
    Jan 13, 2007
    10
    wow!! this album it's fantastic number 1 of the year
  4. 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 feelsWhatever 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
  5. StephenS
    Apr 21, 2006
    8
    Well played catchy tunes. Nothing deep, but loads of fun. Would have fit nicely at one of my spring-time college keg parties. Cue this CD up Well played catchy tunes. Nothing deep, but loads of fun. Would have fit nicely at one of my spring-time college keg parties. Cue this CD up for infectious good times!… Expand
  6. 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.
  7. 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 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
  8. 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 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

See all 325 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

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

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