Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not

A classic as far as I'm concerned. A hugely important album with regards getting me into punk/punk adjacent music, owing to its ramshackle, chaotic instrumentation and sneering, John Lydon-esque energy; where the quintessentially British self-deprecating wit underlining the whole thing really did (and does) appeal to me. You were one of the cool kids if you liked these lads in high school.

Really cool instrumentally, with varied time signatures and almost funky bass. Vocally it's jarring at first but becomes tolerable.

4.0/5.0: Great

i went into this thinking that i hated the arctic monkeys. i still dont love them but this was pretty solid

Banger of an album.

Nostalgic.

Probably time I gave these fellas a chance. I still have them pegged as the flavor of the month when it turns out this record is 20 years old. And it turns out I really liked it, the immediacy of the sound and the authenticity of their point of view. I knew I would enjoy the hits but I even liked the quirkier stuff like “Riot Van” and the vampires song. I don’t know that I fell in love with it enough for a 5 but I am going to check out their other stuff.

esse aqui tem cheiro e gosto de adolescência conturbada. metade dele me lembra 2014/2015 e a outra metade 2016. que doideira. definitivamente mudou minha vida e minha concepção sobre o que é ouvir música. se bobear, foi o primeiro album que eu ouvi por inteiro vezes o suficiente pra saber cantar todas as letras. não vo ficar sentimental não, mas foi um album essencial pra estreitar laços com o amigo do site e alguns outros também ((que até já se foram que deus os tenham)). enfim, é isso aí. muitas músicas muito importantes pra mim e que são da época que eu ainda linkava (propositalmente) canções a pessoas. então foi uma BELÍSSIMA viagem a terra da NOSTALGIA!!!!

agora sobre o disco mesmo: ultra mega pedradaça. ditou o que seria o indie rock por uns 10 aninhos, fácil. eu gosto DEMAIS do inicinho deles. mas eh doideira demais que agora, com um pouco mais de repertório musical, consigo fragar que eh garage rock até o cu fazer biquinho (bem the stooges). pedrada demais. ouso dizer que é dos melhores albuns do século xxi.

[DISCLAIMER: combinei comigo mesmo que quando saísse esse, eu escutaria tudo deles (inclusive os dps do am que não ouvi ainda). vou aproveitar pra ouvir alguns eps pra passear pela memory lane com dignidade. vamo ver sobre a discografia, mas esse aqui eh 5 estrelas sequíssimas sem discussão. talvez eu edite isso aqui depois]

I get why people would like this but it just isn't for me. This evokes no emotional response out of me other than distaste for the lead singers voice.
I cant 2.5 this (why wouldnt there be half stars?) so 3 it is.

Great debut … instant classic 👍

Well this one is incredible for some spotty teens from Sheffield

Imagine having this much hype prior to your record coming out and then you surpass it.

A modern classic (even though it’s now - oof - 20 years old!). As thrilling as it was when it was released, brilliantly clever lyrics and not a bad track on it. Amazing.

Nostalgia central, makes me think of the first gig I went to with my dad, kfc on the way, great memories

A defining album of my childhood and forever a classic

Something I’ve been wanting to listen to for a while but never got around to.

Best Song: Probably “A Certain Romance”

The accent is great and the tracks still stand up today. Not quite a perfect album but a hell of a debut record. Pity they lost the rawness and the accent over time.

4.5/5. Raising to 5.

It's alright. A bit too British for me

iconic

-I really did not understand the hype around this band when this album first came out. Maybe if I was 5 years younger, this album would've excited me, but this sounded like played out, watered down post punk wannabe music to me at the time. It kinda checks the boxes of angular guitars and disco drum beats, but sands down the edges of everything that made bands like The Fall, Gang of Four, PIL, etc exciting and daring.

-That being said, they almost won me over by the end of the album upon relisten. I get why this music has *energy* behind it and they were probably a good live band.

-The instrumentalists are all mediocre EXCEPT the drummer, who is shockingly good.

-Overall, this is fine. I really don't love it or hate it.

I’ve already heard this one! I like it a lot. Some of the best PPR passages of that movement, standout songs (most notably I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor and A Certain Romance, in which the latter is one of the better closers of all time), and a very cohesive style that makes it a great experience all around. Great album.
8.9/10

I must admit that I’ve often overlooked the Arctic Monkeys. But hearing this debut, it’s clear what their instant appeal was. This is post-punk guitar rock paired with some real songwriting. It feels gritty and honest. The album cover reminds me of the photo on the front of the book “Among the Thugs”—it creates a filter that you hear the whole album through.