Arctic Monkeys: Favourite Worst Nightmare [DOMINO]

Why you'll love it

Favourite Worst Nightmare went straight to No. 1 in the U.K., selling over 227,000 copies in week one, and NME and Uncut both named it the second-best album of 2007. It's home to "Brianstorm," "Fluorescent Adolescent" and the fan-favourite closer "505."

This edition

• Domino pressing (cat# 534467-1)
• First album with bassist Nick O'Malley, produced by James Ford and Mike Crossey

About the album

One could be forgiven for thinking that Sheffield's Arctic Monkeys had caught lightning in a bottle on their runaway-hit 2006 debut, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not, and would swiftly fizzle out like so many overhyped U.K. bands before them.

But no: after a year of transatlantic touring in support of that first record, the Monkeys came back harder, groovier, deeper and generally better all around (even a little Smiths-ier) on 2007's well-received Favourite Worst Nightmare. Frontman and songwriter Alex Turner proved himself capable of more rumination (and more crooning) than the on-the-prowl laddishness of the previous album had let on, while the rhythm section of Matt Helders and Nick O'Malley limbered up considerably after many a DJ night on the town and brought a booty-shakin' shot of newfound swagger to the proceedings. Very quickly, it became clear that Arctic Monkeys were neither a one-trick pony nor in danger of running out of new ideas.

Also at Kops: more Arctic Monkeys on vinyl · browse Alternative

Tracklist

Listen

On Domino (cat# 534467-1), first out in 2007.