I listened to it earlier, and it sort of passed me by, now its got most of my attention so a track by track discussion is in order.
Recorded in LA, this is the Monkeys' second "American" album after Humbug was recorded out in the Joshua Tree desert. This is something that has rattled some of the UK fan base (the hardcore knuckle draggers anyway, the people who buy 2 records a year, one of them being Now Thats What I Call Music vol 892).
I couldnt care where its recorded. As long as it sounds good...
1 - Shes Thunderstorms
Interesting start, in that its quite an understated opener. Will be a grower (much like the album after another listen). The song has a familiar feel to it that i cant quite put my finger on. There is a 90's Britpop and a west coast american rock feel to the song. This is something that runs through out the entire album which is why certain songs, such as this one, sound familiar after only 2-3 listens. Its a nice enough start but the song never really takes off.
2 - Black treacle
This sounds like it could be an old Blur b-side. The chorus soars quite nicely but even the bouncy rhythem of the bass cant help the rest of the song from dragging its heals. Not that its a bad song per say, its just a bit pedestrian. That chorus though - *swoon*.
Its been a mellow start, Alex Turners croon remains, but this time surrounded by 60's jangle rather than 70's heavy metal.
3 - Brick By Brick
Things are picked up with Brick By Brick. This has got some really mixed reviews from fans/trolls on the interweb. It sounds like an aggresive surfer theme tune, for people to surf aggresivly to. Possibly. And there is another chorus that soars along in a simple catchy kind of way. Alex Turners delivery of the chorus is one of the only times he removes himself from his new crooning vocal style he developed on Humbug. All of a sudden its that sheffield chav from 5 years ago, and its nice to hear
4 - Helicat spangled shalalalala
Worryingly sounding like "arena rock" in the same ilk as the more recent KoL shit. Unlike KoL though, there are some interesting lyrics. Not so much modern day city life poetry we have come to expect from Turner, more like throw away gems such as "give me another fuckin shalalalala.."
Maybe theyre not taking themselves too seriously? So far the whole album has felt light and fun.
I get the impression Turner has grown tired of writing about standing in line at chip shops after a night out in Sheffield. I also get the impression hes sick of people constantly praising him for his use of lyrics. Its as if hes gone into the album sessions with the mentality of "i couldnt give a shit what anyone thinks, im going to talk cod shit for a bit because its a bit of fun".
I dont think these songs are to be taken to seriously or heavily analysed. The album title suggests Turner and the band have made an album they know isnt going to be everyones liking, especially hardcore fans of the first 2, but they dont really give a shit what me and you think.
And for that I salute them.
5 - Dont sit down cos ive moved ya chair
Wow, this knocks ya socks off after the first 4 songs have scurried off. Its a heavy fucker.
That origional riff is extremely similar to heavy psych bands of today such as ones mentioned on here, Black Angels & Blue Angel Lounge.
It spits venom at you for 3 beautiful minutes then disapears. Lovely.
6 - Library Pictures
Another song full of random almost abstract lyrics about curly straws, dog shit rock n roll and an entire 10-1 countdown. There is a lovely change midway through with alex turner singing those lazy lyrics in a lazy croon - gives everything a very laid back fun feel even when the song is bookended by quite an aggresive punk song.
7 - All my own stunts
They have some pretty bad ass grooves popping up all over the album, unfortunatly they can get lost in amongst the numerous changes in direction. This song could of benefited from someone just whispering in the ear hole of Alex, "mate, focus on that riff. This one doesnt need a change up for the chorus, just keep it grooving". That doesnt happen. Instead someone has said "shoehorn in as many changes in direction as possible because that will please everyone."
Should of called me. I would of told him what to do.
Half way through and so far we have had a mellow start followed by a rip roaring second act, but the whole thing seems slightly scattered. The easy going vibe is often disturbed by a sudden change in direction that sounds slightly forced to incorporate everything they came up with during the recording.
8 - Reckless serenade
this is the start of the second half of the album. After a mellow start and then an aggresive change in direction this is change back to the mellow 60's sound, but its far more instant than anything else on the album other than maybe dont sit down..
Its meandering jangle and discreet vocal harmonies are extremely easy on the ear. Its sort of like listening to floursecent adolescents not so chavvy mate.
9 - Piledriver waltz
This song featured on the Submarine ost but as a far more stripped down acoustic version. I thought the added production might ruin it - Im undecided on that after 2 listens, but its still i lovely song to melt the hearts of gimps everywhere.
It really is nice, the chorus is positivly gorgeous, and the lyrics are instantly lodged in your brain box. I wonder what was up with the waitress?
The images it creates are no longer of rainy sheffield however. Instead its an american diner at the heartbreak hotel. I wonder what the hardcore english fans will think of this? Oh, theyve sold out. Gone american. Thats probably what some will think. The rest of us can just enjoy a great song.
10 - Love Is A Laserquest
Best name ever. Best song on the album if you like pretty boring songs
11 - Suck It And See
I dont know about this...
Its nearly great but then isnt. There are some nice hooks and some hum-able harmonies, but this song and quite alot of the album sounds like a poor mans asteroid4 which is a band that has mastered this particular sound. Although I admire The Monkeys for attempting to change there sound, for me they have held onto there past work to much for this to work consistantly.
Where as the lyrics have a dont give a shit atitude, I feel that this wasnt entirely the case in the studio. I could be wrong, but this song atleast feels over cooked.
12 - Thats where your wrong
Another lovely guitar hook to kick off the last song on the album but it then starts to sound like The Charlatans song, Oh Vanity.
Its quite a weak end to the album in that it doesnt leave you wanting more or give you any reason to go back and listen to it again.
So thats Suck It And See after 3 listens. A nice, but slightly underwhelming trip through the bands current influences which seem to be West Coast 60's rock.
Its not the album it promised to be and I have no doubt it will split fans opinion. The interesting thing will be what the critics do with it. Since there first album they havent really come under much scrutiny from the british media which is strange when you consider the bands attitude towards them.
Will they go for the laid back hazy sound, or will it be passed off as a lazy attempt at 60's pop that falls flat?
For me its a mixture of everything I have said. Some good. Some average. Some bad.
Its nice, but nothing really more than that. It simmers, it never boils. And that could be its downfall.
However, it is raining right now. Maybe the sun needs to be shining to apreciate this more.... Maybe we should all move to LA?
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