Arctic Monkeys 3/18/06 @ Metro

Did you see the sold out show at the Metro? How did you think the show was? Do you agree with Brian Orloff's review?


Hugely hyped Arctic Monkeys deliver

March 20, 2006

BY BRIAN ORLOFF


Each year we can count on the British to export a band so big, and so hyped, there is no choice but to shut up and pay attention.

In the past, groups like the Futureheads (justifiably cool), and farther back, Oasis (though they have failed to staggeringly succeed lately) earned mountains of praise. This year brings the Arctic Monkeys, a scruffy quartet from Sheffield, comprised of guys whose average age lingers around 20. The fanfare surrounding the Monkeys reached maximal heights last month after the group broke British sales records, outselling all the chart competition combined with its debut album, "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not."

Though the album has performed moderately here since its late February release, the lads nevertheless managed to effortlessly sell out their short North American tour, which stopped Saturday night at a packed Metro.

Because of the mania surrounding the band, Saturday's show came slathered in expectation. And the Monkeys -- who appeared to be just four regular guys -- carried through their 55-minute set with breathless verve and just enough ragtag momentum to keep the young crowd engaged.

It is easy to get swept up by hyperbole, and Saturday's show was not the transcendent experience many -- especially the eager British press -- have characterized. But it was most certainly a high-energy experience, full of swagger and promise.

Opening with the ragged "View From the Afternoon," the Monkeys, led by singer Alex Turner, immediately revealed a knack for unfussy rock 'n' roll girded by a tangle of stentorian guitar and slingshot, flinty drumbeats. Throughout the show, Turner prowled the stage, spinning and spitting out the lyrics in his fiercest snarl. Guitarist Jamie Cook offered an unsubtle, muscular guitar assault to match Turner's urgent delivery.

Technically strong -- the band sounded tight and well-rehearsed -- the Monkeys tore through all their songs in the bristling set. Some, such as the bass-driven "Red Light Indicates Doors Are Secured" and "You Probably Couldn't See for the Lights but You Were Looking Straight at Me," came off clean and crisp, rocking convincingly.

But in between their concise songs, the band members seemed to be unsure how to act. Bassist Andy Nicholson hid under his hood for much of the show, and Turner awkwardly mumbled through a few addresses to the crowd. The band's stage banter could stand to improve, though no doubt its stage presence will continue to blossom.

Still, the Monkeys unquestionably connected to the crowd, and often fans belted out the songs' refrains, occasionally even drowning out Turner.

For instance, on the infectious single "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor," attendees bopped and emoted with force and volume. Writing about suburban ennui and feelings of isolation, Turner's lyrics resonated, and a song like "Dancefloor," with its Shakespearian allusion and earnest desires ("There ain't no love, no Montagues or Capulets / Are just banging tunes and DJ sets and / Dirty dancefloors, and dreams of naughtiness!"), undoubtedly reflected kid's experiences.

With such populist intentions, on Saturday night the Arctic Monkeys displayed all the ingredients for, at least, continued hype.

Brian Orloff is a Chicago freelance writer.

Sun-Times Arctic Monkey Review