Consumer Guide Album

Arctic Monkeys: Humbug [Domino, 2009]
"Dark"--everybody says so. Alex Turner's a closet Sabbath fan, hence the bass-heavy atmospherics by king of the stoners Josh Homme. Those who believe the serious and the ponderous are linked at the brainstem will welcome Turner's strained metaphors and sour mood. Those who can't stand it when a bright young band heads for the toilet will try to forget the slick tile that was his Last Shadow Puppets thing. Talented lad, Turner. Not on this evidence incapable of ever writing quick, clever, cynical little songs again. But consider Paul Weller. Bummer. B