Top Albums of 2011 - No. 5

5.  Suck It And See – Arctic Monkeys

As with any band that bursts onto the scene without any real evidence of having “paid their dues”, Arctic Monkeys have just as many detractors as they do fans.  Regardless of your position on the merit of Arctic Monkeys, Suck It And See is a fine album.  Having begun with the observational humour of Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not which was reinforced by the follow up Favourite Worst Nightmare, Arctic Monkeys decided to get serious and work with the great fire-headed one, Josh Homme, on 2009’s Humbug.  This album proved that Arctic Monkeys were much more than one-trick-ponies and established them as a band that just might have some longevity.  And so it is that this year’s Suck It And See shows Arctic Monkeys continued evolution.  Where Humbug was very much concerned with darkness, Suck It And See brings the band back out into the light.  Arctic Monkeys find themselves dabbling in jangle pop and they are doing a fine job of it.  Alex Turner’s inimitably witty words are still intact, but where previous albums focused on observing the world around him, Turner has turned the observations inward with many of the songs dealing with failed relationships and broken hearts.  Whether or not these are based on actual occurrences is inconsequential, Turner makes you feel it by pointing out the ridiculousness of it all, as well as the inability to forget about it.  Take the brilliant Love Is A Laserquest as an example.  After asking the absent former lover a series of questions about retaining certain beliefs on love, Turner then admits, “I’ve tried to ask you this in some daydreams that I’ve had, but you’re always busy being make believe”.  He’s not trying to disguise the hurt, he’s just pointing out the hopeless situation for what it is; absurd to anyone not directly involved.  The music that backs all of this up is deceptively simple, with no single player standing out, and showcases the band’s ability to work together and serve the song.  With this album, the songs are number one and for the first time, Arctic Monkeys don’t sound as though they are trying to prove something.  They’re just making great music.