Arctic Monkeys - Humbug

Desert sessions pay dividends

The announcement that Josh Homme and Arctic Monkeys would work together – possibly for one of Homme’s riotously successful Desert Sessions releases – left many rightthinking music fans excited. What better match than frontman Alex Turner’s sardonic northern lyricism and a spot of Homme’s addictive stoner rock sex-groove? The evidence though, now presented as the third Arctic’s album, is that sometimes it’s too snug a fit.

When the Monkeys are on point, as on opener My Propeller (sounding unnervingly like Morrissey), they still beguile with magnificent musicianship and wry chord changes. On the likes of Dance Little Liar and Pretty Visitors, however, the difference from AM and QOTSA is so minimal, you wonder who was pulling the strings.

Turner can still floor with his wordplay. “I elongated my way home… kept my shortcuts to myself” (Cornerstone) is a sweet, once again, Morrisseyesque tale about delaying a taxi ride to prolong time with a crush. Plus the chops, particularly of drummer Matt Helders, who does well not to buckle under Homme’s glare (a man who knows a thing or two about a strict rhythm), are, frankly, amazing throughout. The overall feeling though, is one of too close a match. Who knew? Sheffield and the deserts of California could be such happy bedfellows.

3 stars 3 stars 3 stars

Domino | WIGCD 220

Reviewed by Jake Kennedy
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