10 Almost Perfect Alternative Rock Albums
1. AM - Arctic Monkeys (2013)
Welcome to the sound of leather jackets, popped collars and greased back hair.
The sleazy fuzz-box guitar riff on Do I Wanna Know? The tremolo explosion of R U Mine? And, the booze-soaked amble on Why'd You Only Call Me When I'm High? - these were some of the best tracks the Arctic Monkeys had ever written. The three singles solidified this album as a rip-roaring return to form after the group's musically scattered record, Suck It And See.
But it's legacy is somewhat over-hyped. The impact of those three numbers were such that people glanced over several tracks that were subpar at best... No. 1 Party Anthem posed as a grand and soaring ballad, but the lyrics were as contrived as the group's new look.
The biggest grievance was Mad Sounds. It was an unapologetic Velvet Underground rip-off. From the Lou Reed-inspired vocals, to the riff - that sounded too much like Pale Blue Eyes, to be a mistake - nothing about it was subtle. They even used the same tambourine beat to push along the dreamy melody...
Paying homage is one thing, but this was taking the biscuit.