Not my first but when the vinyl revival gathered pace my family got me a suitcase player and an HMV voucher. I went into HMV store with my sister; I think McCartney was in the running, Are You Experienced. Took about 'bout 20minutes hummed and hawed (honestly it was no longer but she was so impatient) then she said, folded arms, 'look it's a double album it's Jimi, it's only 22quid, your not paying for it, WHAT'S NOT TO LIKE!!! Good argument.
rock is still going strong, it's just no longer mainstream. Although a personal favourite from the last 10 years is Radiohead's A Moon Shaped Pool, which is a work of genius imo.
Rock is definitely strong, just listened to an amazing little indie album that came out last year from the beths called "expert in a dying field". Rocks and makes you feel and is all around great.
@@jasonsnusberry3654 Hell yeah, always love to see The Beths mentioned. Down here in New Zealand and Australia rock is still definitely going strong, with The Beths, King Gizzard, Amyl and the Sniffers, The Chats, Tropical Fuck Storm, Dartz and Bleeding Star just to name a few.
If you weren't there you just cannot comprehend what a meteoric impact this album in combination with Lana Del Rey had on teens and young adults in hipster circles at the time. We were already hooked on a wave of anglo-nostalgia the last few years in the US with the resurgence of The Smiths, Oasis, Pulp, Blur, etc in these circles and alt-rock/indie in general was massive at the time. I was already a massive Arctic Monkeys fan (band I was in had covered a few songs live at this point as well). Saw them perform the summer right before this came out as an opener (AN OPENER!!!!!) for The Black Keys and its one of my favorite concert memories. This album and alcohol made for some wild nights. And then Ultraviolence just a few months later? Alex and Lana were doing numbers on the brains of the youth! Retro instagram filters. Faded tees. The pastiche nostalgia seeped into every single thing. It was definitely a different time because people really seemed to think the world was going to get a little better because we didn't know how the decade would play out. I am only nostalgic for it simply because things in certain respects have gotten worse globally
13:50 - I can attest to this "lots of zoomers are actually into retro" phenomenon. While my teen daughter is aware of and enjoys current things, the interwebz has created an environment in which popular music from many eras are available to her instantly and is "new to her". I had the radio on the other day, and I said, "I think this song is by The Smiths. Or Morrisey." She responded, "Definitely The Smiths." I gave her a side-eye through the rear-view mirror, and she said, "I listen to them all the time. It's good stuff." She also listens to the Beach Boys, Zeppelin, and old Motown a lot. Much of this is because she listens to Spotify playlists by current artists, and they are frequently filled with their past influences, and their influences' influences, etc. This has helped the currently young generation break away from previous generations' mentality of "If it's not new, it sux." Whereas previously, the main influence was corporate gatekeepers insisting "new is cool, old is old, please spend your money on this new stuff", artists are speaking directly to their fans and saying, "No, that's not true at all. My 'new, cool' stuff is influenced by this 'old, cool' stuff. I *want* you to know this. I *want* you to see under the hood and appreciate the rich pedigree that led us to this moment."
Im from sheffield and when their debut album dropped it was crazy sheffield was a shithole back then not a lot of options workwise most people my age left school and joined the dole benefits line and then we had the arctic monkeys they where from the same council estates they sung about the everyday stuff we did it was amazing and fast forward they are the biggest band of their generation and one of the best bands of all time
I'd honestly love to see a bit more 2000s and 2010s stuff from you, some QOTSA, White Stripes, Black Keys or what have you, it's a era that's very near and dear to me.
this video has single-handedly brought soo many memories back! I work at Urban Outfitters and they’re STILL selling AM on vinyl, that’s how much of a staple it is. (also, 10 years ago? oh my god. I still remember being 14 yrs old, owning a tumblr account and wanting an American Apparel skirt)
I'm a fan of you doing these newer type record shows. Being in my 50's I'm still very much into finding new bands and releases ( I spin lots of it at my music venue here in Toronto). I don't understand older gens that complain "today's music sucks" There's plenty of good rock in the 21st century but there's one record in particular I think was extremely important and instrumental that carved the path, The Strokes debut. Meet me in the bathroom!
Great video as always! As a fellow mid 20's, hearing you talk about this album being release at your highschool years just feels like a déjà vu. The songs were just everywhere and the cultural impact on how young people used to act was enormous. In this regard I can only compare it to... well... Born to Die haha But as you said, after diving deep into early-Monkeys stuff pre-AM, I wouldn't rank it higher than most albuns on their discography. The debut is still the most exciting garage rock album I've ever hear, Suck It and See is a love soaked feels-good summer album and Humbug is full of some of their deepest cuts. And the post-AM stuff... oh my god... the second Last Shadow Puppets album, Tranquility Base and The Car are certainly some of my all time favourites. They are just special stuff and the reason why I can confidently say Alex Turner is hors concours for contemporary songwriting and composing. It was also really fun hearing you talk about the release of TBHC after AM because I consider it THE absolutely chad moment in music. Picture this: your band has suddently broken into the US music market and are being held as some sort of "rock saviour". Then you make everyone wait 5 years for your next album, which is much longer than any break you've done before. Then it comes out, only for people to realize it's about... a retrofuture hotel on the moon. Oh, and you also change your singing style to some 70's Scott Walker like crooning just in case people are not shocked enough. I was thinking that this is what people in the 70's must have experienced when hearing Bowie's Low for the first time. Alex certainly has always worn Bowie influences on his forehead, but now it is leaking through the roof and I love it!
I remember I was in college when Do I Wanna Know dropped and I was like "woah, I didn't know they still made rock n roll". It was so rare to hear that on the radio in the early 2010s.
Fontaines DC I would probably say Fontaines DC are probably the most promising Rock Band in the last few years. Three Studio L.P.'s in like 4 years. And also a Solo L.P. from Grian (lead singer), and, two Poetry Books. Mercury Prize, Choice Music Prize (for Debut L.P. "Dogrel") & Grammy Awards (for 2nd L.P. "A Hero's Death") nomination. And, UK No.1 Album for 3rd L.P. "Skinty Fia". Fontaines DC are actually currently in the U.S. at the moment supporting the Arctic Monkeys on their American Tour. Think Fontaines DC have had (at least) 6 KEXP Live performances, since 2018 (they're a bit of-a KEXP darlings). .
Velvet Monkeys and Arctic Underground would each make awesome band names! 😂 One of my favorite 2014 albums (and Abby outfits). When it came out, this was reassuring to me for the future of straight-ahead rock, especially songs like Arabella. Whatever magnetism Alex has, I wish I had some of it.
As always, great video, Abigail. I would LOVE for you to a video on Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino. Imo it’s their best work and my favourite album of all time. The 60’s, but at the same time, futuristic soundscape, the lyrics, the strange chord choices. Everything about it. And the concept of the album is just so, so clever. He plays a retired rockstar who owns a retro-themed hotel on the moon, as a means of making observations about society, technology, etc, etc. I just can’t say enough about it.
it might be a while until i can work it in but mark my words, there will be a tranquility base video. it’s way too cool not to (and i’m a staunch defender of alex being stuck in david bowie mode for the past 6 years!)
I saw an interview with Alex in which he said his favorite records are usually a place you'd want to live in, tbhc is one of them. Went from confusion to accepting to loving this record. So many layers.
I'm glad VM will be back for season 3 soon, but also hoping you are taking enough time off so you don't get burnt out. A liitle extra time off is good for the soul and gives you time for self reflection and to do other things you never had time for. You put so much research into these episodes and scripts, as well as production, and VM makes my mondays suck just that much less. Enjoy your vacation Abby.
thank you so much! i'm glad the series makes your week suck less. i took 2 weeks to go back home, breaks are important. i'm not getting burnt out but the laptop i've had since college did!
Great video I remember when that album came out a friend of mine at the time in the vinyl community bought that album when it came out I listen to a couple of songs from it and I liked it I need to get a copy today when I go out to buy records keep it up Abby ❤❤❤❤
Mitski 'Puberty 2' is a stunning rock album. Also The Breeders’ ‘All Nerve’ and this year’s album ‘Formal Growth In The Desert’ by the excellent Protomartyr are well worth a mention.
Well as an older music fan The Arctic Monkeys were a breath of fresh air when they arrived and are huge here in the UK and are dropping classic albums constantly! As I am old the first album I bought was Sgt Peppers by the Beatles and the first single Strawberry Fields! Still many bands making future classic albums!! NOT COLDPLAY!!🙈🙉🙊
My favorite anecdote of this album is that Alex wanted Haim to sing backing vocals, but alas Haim was working on I think Something to Tell You at the time. Speaking of Haim, they rule!
As a big Black Keys fan, I always felt that their tour together in 2012 had a big influence on Arctic Monkeys sound, though as someone not following AM, maybe it's more complicated than that! All I know is that around that time Arctic Monkeys suddenly sounded very Keys-y!
The Artic Monkeys and The Strokes were the music of my drug addiction. After like 15 year high, I have been California sober for 4 years now and I am just to the point where I can actually listen to The Strokes or Artic Monkeys without my skin crawling away. I have really been Listening to them a lot lately! Absolutely love your takes and the information on albums that's not well known to everyone! Now if you end up ever doing a Strokes album, you'll have my two favorite bands!!
congratulations on your sobriety! it's very hard daily work to maintain, you have a lot to be proud of. i'm glad you're reclaiming the music you loved back then
I was in college when AM came out. I'd spent my teen years listening to Arctic Monkeys, Bombay Bicycle Club, Kaiser Chiefs and pretty much any UK rock of the era. AM was such an American pivot for the band. I'd seen them on the Suck It And See tour at a 2000 cap venue and knew I'd never be able to see them in such an intimate space again. It was bizarre to have a band that felt like a secret (in the American south at least) suddenly explode onto the mainstream with earworms like Do I Wanna Know and R U Mine. Was very relieved when they pivoted again to sci-fi lounge act on Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino. Alas, the damage was done and the band would forever be arena rockers... even with an album as... uh... lackluster as The Car. P.S. My first vinyl was The XX - S/T
i remember me and a very close friend of mine listening to AM every day while we played video games together! that along with lots of 70’s and 80’s classic rock and pop.
AM in my opinion, this is best rock album out in the last 20 years and I do not agree w your assessment that AM has not held up well. The high level of recent success on Spotify, more than a billion streams for two or three if them, tells me that the album is still held in high esteem. You glossed over several amazing songs on the record.
I almost feel like rock has been slowly making a comeback in the mainstream ever since the pandemic started. Olivia Rodrigo just dropped her second record today and it is way more rock-y than the first one. A lot of the songs on it sound very Weezer and 2000's indie-sleaze-inspired which is kinda amazing for someone who on the surface makes teen pop. But I feel like the disappearance of rock from the charts for a long while actually did a lot of good for the genre as much as it did bad. I'm gonna be real with you in saying that I do not like "AM" at all. I was only 9 when it came out so I have no personal memories of the whole Tumblr grunge thing that this album was apart of like you do (btw it boggles my mind that people were calling whatever that was "grunge" despite looking and sounding absolutely nothing like actual 90's grunge). This album is very much emblematic of the rock monogenre that reduced mainstream rock down into this grey mass seemingly made specifically for car commercials. I think Arctic Monkeys themselves probably regretted helping kill mainstream rock in that way, because after this they made Tranquility Base (a record which I love). And this is where Black Midi's Schlagenheim comes into the picture. For me, that album really felt like a violent reaction against the rock monogenre that had been seeping into everything for the past 5-10 years before 2019. In many ways Black Midi are the antithesis of music like AM, and they are a perfect example of the good that came out of rock becoming more underground again - new bands were forced to go back to the drawing board, and in 2019 Black Midi burst through doing the musical equivalent of having become so good at a game that now you try playing it blindfolded with the controller upside down. I remember watching their iconic KEXP performance during the lockdown in 2020 and finally feeling like I had found a rock band that truly represented my generation, a generation that had grown thoroughly tired of rock being the same grey goo. Today in 2023 I feel very optimistic about the future of rock. One major trend I think we've seen is most of the more popular new guitar-based artists being women, and rock being taken in a much more feminine direction with artists like Mitski, Big Thief, Boygenius, Snail Mail, Soccer Mommy, Wet Leg, The Last Dinner Party and the like which is a very interesting development. And the most exciting scene to follow, arguably in all of Western music right now, is London's Windmill scene which Black Midi, Black Country New Road and the like are a part of, and which Wet Leg and The Last Dinner Party are also kind of adjacent too. Plus, in Australia and New Zealand, it feels like rock never really died, with bands like The Beths, King Gizzard, The Chats, Amyl and the Sniffers, Tropical Fuck Storm and many others producing some amazing records over the past 10 years.
One of my exes introduced the Arctic Monkeys to me. She had the demo versions for their debut album in MP3 (I am talking 2006). Then I gave the CD as a gift and when I listened the album I was gravely disappointed, the demos sounded way better than the album; it was overproduced and loud. Thus the Arctic Monkeys lost of one fan. Guess she kept that band for herself.
Since its 35th anniversary is coming up in October, may I suggest an episode on Daydream Nation by Sonic Youth? I don't know how into Sonic Youth you are but that album is a truly monumental record. One of the albums that shaped 90's rock and the entirety of alternative rock as we know it.
no 1 party anthem might be top 10 bridges of all time. want to say this was the last truly define rock era as of now, altho i feel like we might be moving somewhere now, but theres also so much nostalgia tied to this album especially growing up with it.
Love this band! My brother turned me onto their first album shortly after it came out, and I have been a huge fan ever since. AM is probably one of my top 10 albums of all time. I can probably associate a memory with every song on it. It's a shame they never really became popular here in the USA. Great video. Thanks!
This album is great, I didn’t listen to it for the longest time because I used to be a fantano Stan and he did not give this album a good review, I realized the error of my ways and now I love this album, shout outs to Arabella
Great chaotic stuff, Abby ❤ For something completely different...(no really 'cause you did mention Josh Homme) Roll transition 😂 Queen's of the Stone Age review....blue or red album. And, I do bet you do look pretty good on the dance floor, Abby❤
First record I ever bought was Nevermind by Nirvana. I ended up becoming a bigger fan of In Utero but Nevermind still holds a special place in my heart, just like AM and AM do for other reasons. I feel that ever since 2020 we've been in another "2014 Tumblr" phase with the new Tumblr albums being NFR! by Lana del Rey, folklore by Taylor Swift and Stranger in the Alps by Phoebe Bridgers.
Good Rock records from the last 10 years are almost all from Australia. King Gizzard, Psychadelic Porn Crumpets, and Tropic Fuckstorm are all incredible. Amyl and the Sniffers are fun as well. Personally, the first two Arkells albums changed my life and are incredible communist albums about being a kid in Hamilton
Interesting excursion, Abby. I have to openly state that I was never too smitten by AM in the first place and personally don't think this is a timeless classic. I enjoyed the band's more clearly British and post-punky sound before 'Humbug' a lot more. But that's just me. During that period, I probably found Tame Impala more important.
This was the first modern record added to my collection (in early 2015), as a gift from my sister. I trail you by a couple years so my exposure to these aesthetics in middle school was thinking that's just what a cool high schooler looked like. My sister was in college so she was exposed to the music (all over college radio and parties) but not the affectations. The beginning of my freshman year (Fall 2015) felt like the winding down of that party, jeans were getting baggier, leather was making less of an appearance, colors were becoming less muted. The record everybody I knew was raving about at that time was Alabama Shakes "Sound & Color". By the time spring 2016 hit there was complete change, the music of suburban teens became stuff like Frank Ocean & Tyler, The Creator & Chance & (sigh) Kanye, which would remain more or less the same until I graduated.
I would probably say Fontaines DC are probably the most promising Rock Band in the last few years. Three Studio L.P.'s in like 4 years. And also a Solo L.P. from Grian (lead singer), and, two Poetry Books. Mercury Prize, Choice Music Prize (for Debut L.P. "Dogrel") & Grammy Awards (for 2nd L.P. "A Hero's Death") nomination. And, UK No.1 Album for 3rd L.P. "Skinty Fia". Fontaines DC are actually currently in the U.S. at the moment supporting the Arctic Monkeys on their American Tour. Think Fontaines DC have had (at least) 6 KEXP Live performances, since 2018 (they're a bit of-a KEXP darlings). .
I simply started collecting records in the early 2000 because they were so much cheaper than CD's (some cases, sounded a heck of a lot better too {Beatles White Album}) and I'd pay as low as 25 cents for one (Led Zepplin IV). Loved the artwork too and hung a lot on my wall. Never thought they would be worth money, it actually sucks that they are because I can't go rummage through a yard sale but whatever, its life (young kids killed it all😋).
I was in my first collegue year when this came out too, but I was very snob and very deep into my punk era to give it atention. I remember listening and liking Do I Wanna Know, but that's all. I didn't even realise that it was something that culturally significant until this year (I'm from Spain, this didn't shock the cultural spectre THAT hard here... or at least, I thought it didn't...). As Abi says, a lot of people I know from that period - specially, girls - went into the nostalgia wagon for the 10th anniversary of this album and, to my surprise, it was very important for a lot of people! Wow... I guess I reeeeally was in another world... and I don't say that in a snob way anymore! It makes me a bit sad that I didn't enjoy probably the only moment in my teenage years that a rock album became a significant thing around me. On the other hand, it's super cool to see all these people enjoying and praising an album that came out when we were young. In these 10 years I became, fortunately, a bit less stupid and gave atention to a lot of different music, found out that I like a lot of things I wouldn't imagine and, of course, Arctic Monkeys became one of my favourite bands 😂. Always late to the party, I guess
Seeing that I’m approaching senility, I thought perhaps from Abby’s preview blurb that she was going to do something on Ten Years After. Boy was I wrong.
First record I ever bought...I'm not sure if I remember. My first records were gifted to me, but my first actual LP purchase may have been The Rolling Stones' Through The Past, Darkly Volume 2 because I loved Paint It, Black, plus the jacket was cut into an octagon, which, to a seven-year old in 1979, was cooler than all other record jackets. My first 45 was a year earlier, the single for Ace Frehley's cover of New York Groove(I actually fell in love with the Snow Blind B-side and played that more). However, in terms of the last great rock album... GBV's Universal Truths & Cycles, I mean in terms of stone cold classic tier... however, as long as GBV is still making music, the last great rock album might not have been recorded yet, seriously the current lineup is on a motherfuckin' hot streak.
So four stars out five then. 'I wanna be yours' by John Cooper Clarke is now as much a part of English school syllabuses as any by Wordsworth, Keats, Sassoon or Coleridge.
The Artic Monkeys have always reminded me a bit of Robyn Hitchcock, a UK psych artist. I prefer Hitchcock, check him out if you find him in the record bin.
I love the first 4 albums, in my view they are equally awesome. Soundtrack-of-my-life awesome. Then AM. I wanted to love it, saw the band live twice around that time, but it was the first time they just didn't give me the inspiration I was used to, soon the thrill was gone. And I thought Alex had somewhat turned from troubadour of a generation to a prick, who thinks showing off the undenialble intellect is a 1-1 replacement for charisma. I was a bit angry. Looking back, I guess I might have just changed, or AM might have changed, maybe both. Tranquility and The Car are the soundtrack of someone else's life. So it goes. And yes, I also think AM is the last mainstream rock record. . . . Anyway, the F-beeps sound like Queen from the mid 70s.
A run of videos, after the wish list of albums in the 69 series, where I'm not so up to the mark with the music but my interest is held because this channel always connects the music with the lived culture and that's interesting. I Bet You Look Good On the Dancefloor was so good. In their performance of Come Together ( London Olympics) they looked a cool band. Then I seem to find most of their stuff turgid, and Turner a bit comical as rock 'crooner'. Around the corner would be Wolf Alice, for me, more equipped to take the 'rock band' forward. I was worried,that your break was going to be long; now I'm worried, thinking, are you having a good break at all. Hmm.
I definitley don't think rock is dead, it just isn't the most popular thing anymore, if you want to check out a rock-ish band thats still putting out new good stuff i recommend King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, however their discography is quite large lol
Abigail, John Cooper Clarke is a genius and a cultural icon, as well as being hilarious. The poem (slightly altered and expanded by Alex) is so out of context and stripped of Clarke's inimitable delivery, it loses all its wit. Please don't judge him on this.
what was the first record you ever bought? comment below!
Iron Maiden's Number of the Beast.
The Monkees Greatest Hits.
Crazy Frog
Not my first but when the vinyl revival gathered pace my family got me a suitcase player and an HMV voucher. I went into HMV store with my sister; I think McCartney was in the running, Are You Experienced. Took about 'bout 20minutes hummed and hawed (honestly it was no longer but she was so impatient) then she said, folded arms, 'look it's a double album it's Jimi, it's only 22quid, your not paying for it, WHAT'S NOT TO LIKE!!! Good argument.
This Is Happening by LCD Soundsystem one of the most important records of my teenage years
rock is still going strong, it's just no longer mainstream. Although a personal favourite from the last 10 years is Radiohead's A Moon Shaped Pool, which is a work of genius imo.
I'm gonna have to listen again because I almost discounted it entirely
@@crapmalls my second favourite Radiohead album personally
Rock is definitely strong, just listened to an amazing little indie album that came out last year from the beths called "expert in a dying field". Rocks and makes you feel and is all around great.
my second fav by them right next to kid a
@@jasonsnusberry3654 Hell yeah, always love to see The Beths mentioned. Down here in New Zealand and Australia rock is still definitely going strong, with The Beths, King Gizzard, Amyl and the Sniffers, The Chats, Tropical Fuck Storm, Dartz and Bleeding Star just to name a few.
If you weren't there you just cannot comprehend what a meteoric impact this album in combination with Lana Del Rey had on teens and young adults in hipster circles at the time. We were already hooked on a wave of anglo-nostalgia the last few years in the US with the resurgence of The Smiths, Oasis, Pulp, Blur, etc in these circles and alt-rock/indie in general was massive at the time. I was already a massive Arctic Monkeys fan (band I was in had covered a few songs live at this point as well). Saw them perform the summer right before this came out as an opener (AN OPENER!!!!!) for The Black Keys and its one of my favorite concert memories. This album and alcohol made for some wild nights. And then Ultraviolence just a few months later? Alex and Lana were doing numbers on the brains of the youth! Retro instagram filters. Faded tees. The pastiche nostalgia seeped into every single thing. It was definitely a different time because people really seemed to think the world was going to get a little better because we didn't know how the decade would play out. I am only nostalgic for it simply because things in certain respects have gotten worse globally
13:50 - I can attest to this "lots of zoomers are actually into retro" phenomenon. While my teen daughter is aware of and enjoys current things, the interwebz has created an environment in which popular music from many eras are available to her instantly and is "new to her". I had the radio on the other day, and I said, "I think this song is by The Smiths. Or Morrisey." She responded, "Definitely The Smiths." I gave her a side-eye through the rear-view mirror, and she said, "I listen to them all the time. It's good stuff." She also listens to the Beach Boys, Zeppelin, and old Motown a lot.
Much of this is because she listens to Spotify playlists by current artists, and they are frequently filled with their past influences, and their influences' influences, etc. This has helped the currently young generation break away from previous generations' mentality of "If it's not new, it sux." Whereas previously, the main influence was corporate gatekeepers insisting "new is cool, old is old, please spend your money on this new stuff", artists are speaking directly to their fans and saying, "No, that's not true at all. My 'new, cool' stuff is influenced by this 'old, cool' stuff. I *want* you to know this. I *want* you to see under the hood and appreciate the rich pedigree that led us to this moment."
Im from sheffield and when their debut album dropped it was crazy sheffield was a shithole back then not a lot of options workwise most people my age left school and joined the dole benefits line and then we had the arctic monkeys they where from the same council estates they sung about the everyday stuff we did it was amazing and fast forward they are the biggest band of their generation and one of the best bands of all time
I'd honestly love to see a bit more 2000s and 2010s stuff from you, some QOTSA, White Stripes, Black Keys or what have you, it's a era that's very near and dear to me.
this video has single-handedly brought soo many memories back! I work at Urban Outfitters and they’re STILL selling AM on vinyl, that’s how much of a staple it is. (also, 10 years ago? oh my god. I still remember being 14 yrs old, owning a tumblr account and wanting an American Apparel skirt)
I'm a fan of you doing these newer type record shows. Being in my 50's I'm still very much into finding new bands and releases ( I spin lots of it at my music venue here in Toronto). I don't understand older gens that complain "today's music sucks" There's plenty of good rock in the 21st century but there's one record in particular I think was extremely important and instrumental that carved the path, The Strokes debut. Meet me in the bathroom!
If we’re talking. About best Rock albums from the last 10 years, I’d say Queens of the Stone Age’s In Clockwork still holds up and is a stellar album.
Great video as always! As a fellow mid 20's, hearing you talk about this album being release at your highschool years just feels like a déjà vu. The songs were just everywhere and the cultural impact on how young people used to act was enormous. In this regard I can only compare it to... well... Born to Die haha
But as you said, after diving deep into early-Monkeys stuff pre-AM, I wouldn't rank it higher than most albuns on their discography. The debut is still the most exciting garage rock album I've ever hear, Suck It and See is a love soaked feels-good summer album and Humbug is full of some of their deepest cuts.
And the post-AM stuff... oh my god... the second Last Shadow Puppets album, Tranquility Base and The Car are certainly some of my all time favourites. They are just special stuff and the reason why I can confidently say Alex Turner is hors concours for contemporary songwriting and composing.
It was also really fun hearing you talk about the release of TBHC after AM because I consider it THE absolutely chad moment in music. Picture this: your band has suddently broken into the US music market and are being held as some sort of "rock saviour". Then you make everyone wait 5 years for your next album, which is much longer than any break you've done before. Then it comes out, only for people to realize it's about... a retrofuture hotel on the moon. Oh, and you also change your singing style to some 70's Scott Walker like crooning just in case people are not shocked enough.
I was thinking that this is what people in the 70's must have experienced when hearing Bowie's Low for the first time. Alex certainly has always worn Bowie influences on his forehead, but now it is leaking through the roof and I love it!
I remember I was in college when Do I Wanna Know dropped and I was like "woah, I didn't know they still made rock n roll". It was so rare to hear that on the radio in the early 2010s.
Patti Smith - Horses. Would LOVE to see it reviewed by you. It‘s a masterpiece and should suit your taste in music.
My daughter wants to know how you make the outfits for your videos. You should do a groovy 60s fashion sewing tutorial someday!
Fontaines DC
I would probably say Fontaines DC are probably the most promising Rock Band in the last few years.
Three Studio L.P.'s in like 4 years. And also a Solo L.P. from Grian (lead singer), and, two Poetry Books.
Mercury Prize, Choice Music Prize (for Debut L.P. "Dogrel") & Grammy Awards (for 2nd L.P. "A Hero's Death") nomination. And, UK No.1 Album for 3rd L.P. "Skinty Fia".
Fontaines DC are actually currently in the U.S. at the moment supporting the Arctic Monkeys on their American Tour.
Think Fontaines DC have had (at least) 6 KEXP Live performances, since 2018 (they're a bit of-a KEXP darlings).
.
Really interesting to hear how influential AM was in the US. As as UK millennial the band will always be associated with their debut album with me.
Velvet Monkeys and Arctic Underground would each make awesome band names! 😂
One of my favorite 2014 albums (and Abby outfits). When it came out, this was reassuring to me for the future of straight-ahead rock, especially songs like Arabella.
Whatever magnetism Alex has, I wish I had some of it.
alex's magnetism comes from being a mega-introvert who accidentally got really famous, and now doesn't know what to do besides be a little weird
@@abigaildevoe Haha, love it!
As always, great video, Abigail. I would LOVE for you to a video on Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino. Imo it’s their best work and my favourite album of all time. The 60’s, but at the same time, futuristic soundscape, the lyrics, the strange chord choices. Everything about it.
And the concept of the album is just so, so clever. He plays a retired rockstar who owns a retro-themed hotel on the moon, as a means of making observations about society, technology, etc, etc. I just can’t say enough about it.
it might be a while until i can work it in but mark my words, there will be a tranquility base video. it’s way too cool not to (and i’m a staunch defender of alex being stuck in david bowie mode for the past 6 years!)
I saw an interview with Alex in which he said his favorite records are usually a place you'd want to live in, tbhc is one of them. Went from confusion to accepting to loving this record. So many layers.
I'm glad VM will be back for season 3 soon, but also hoping you are taking enough time off so you don't get burnt out. A liitle extra time off is good for the soul and gives you time for self reflection and to do other things you never had time for. You put so much research into these episodes and scripts, as well as production, and VM makes my mondays suck just that much less. Enjoy your vacation Abby.
thank you so much! i'm glad the series makes your week suck less. i took 2 weeks to go back home, breaks are important. i'm not getting burnt out but the laptop i've had since college did!
Great video I remember when that album came out a friend of mine at the time in the vinyl community bought that album when it came out I listen to a couple of songs from it and I liked it I need to get a copy today when I go out to buy records keep it up Abby ❤❤❤❤
Mitski 'Puberty 2' is a stunning rock album.
Also The Breeders’ ‘All Nerve’ and this year’s album ‘Formal Growth In The Desert’ by the excellent Protomartyr are well worth a mention.
Well as an older music fan The Arctic Monkeys were a breath of fresh air when they arrived and are huge here in the UK and are dropping classic albums constantly!
As I am old the first album I bought was Sgt Peppers by the Beatles and the first single Strawberry Fields!
Still many bands making future classic albums!!
NOT COLDPLAY!!🙈🙉🙊
My favorite anecdote of this album is that Alex wanted Haim to sing backing vocals, but alas Haim was working on I think Something to Tell You at the time. Speaking of Haim, they rule!
As a big Black Keys fan, I always felt that their tour together in 2012 had a big influence on Arctic Monkeys sound, though as someone not following AM, maybe it's more complicated than that!
All I know is that around that time Arctic Monkeys suddenly sounded very Keys-y!
Definitely hear the Brothers influence on AM
Well it’s been said they wrote R U Mine during that tour to be their opener. So yes I agree.
nice to see some tbhc love, would love to see you talk about it in depth
The Artic Monkeys and The Strokes were the music of my drug addiction. After like 15 year high, I have been California sober for 4 years now and I am just to the point where I can actually listen to The Strokes or Artic Monkeys without my skin crawling away. I have really been Listening to them a lot lately! Absolutely love your takes and the information on albums that's not well known to everyone! Now if you end up ever doing a Strokes album, you'll have my two favorite bands!!
I had written this comment way before you actually mentioned The Strokes in the video, and I died!
congratulations on your sobriety! it's very hard daily work to maintain, you have a lot to be proud of. i'm glad you're reclaiming the music you loved back then
in the words of alex turner: "i just wanted to be one of the strokes!"
I was in college when AM came out. I'd spent my teen years listening to Arctic Monkeys, Bombay Bicycle Club, Kaiser Chiefs and pretty much any UK rock of the era. AM was such an American pivot for the band. I'd seen them on the Suck It And See tour at a 2000 cap venue and knew I'd never be able to see them in such an intimate space again. It was bizarre to have a band that felt like a secret (in the American south at least) suddenly explode onto the mainstream with earworms like Do I Wanna Know and R U Mine. Was very relieved when they pivoted again to sci-fi lounge act on Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino. Alas, the damage was done and the band would forever be arena rockers... even with an album as... uh... lackluster as The Car.
P.S. My first vinyl was The XX - S/T
Your outfit is SENDING ME BACK to 2013 peak tumblr (in the best way).
i remember me and a very close friend of mine listening to AM every day while we played video games together! that along with lots of 70’s and 80’s classic rock and pop.
BCNR pfp 💪
PLEASE do a Tranquility Base video. Their best album imo!
AM in my opinion, this is best rock album out in the last 20 years and I do not agree w your assessment that AM has not held up well. The high level of recent success on Spotify, more than a billion streams for two or three if them, tells me that the album is still held in high esteem. You glossed over several amazing songs on the record.
It’s not a bad record but it is most certainly not the best rock album of the last 20 years lol
Your music taste must leave a lot to be desired. Straight up living under a rock
@@GooGuGajoob when I want your opinion of my taste, I’ll ask you for it, clown.
I almost feel like rock has been slowly making a comeback in the mainstream ever since the pandemic started. Olivia Rodrigo just dropped her second record today and it is way more rock-y than the first one. A lot of the songs on it sound very Weezer and 2000's indie-sleaze-inspired which is kinda amazing for someone who on the surface makes teen pop.
But I feel like the disappearance of rock from the charts for a long while actually did a lot of good for the genre as much as it did bad. I'm gonna be real with you in saying that I do not like "AM" at all. I was only 9 when it came out so I have no personal memories of the whole Tumblr grunge thing that this album was apart of like you do (btw it boggles my mind that people were calling whatever that was "grunge" despite looking and sounding absolutely nothing like actual 90's grunge). This album is very much emblematic of the rock monogenre that reduced mainstream rock down into this grey mass seemingly made specifically for car commercials. I think Arctic Monkeys themselves probably regretted helping kill mainstream rock in that way, because after this they made Tranquility Base (a record which I love).
And this is where Black Midi's Schlagenheim comes into the picture. For me, that album really felt like a violent reaction against the rock monogenre that had been seeping into everything for the past 5-10 years before 2019. In many ways Black Midi are the antithesis of music like AM, and they are a perfect example of the good that came out of rock becoming more underground again - new bands were forced to go back to the drawing board, and in 2019 Black Midi burst through doing the musical equivalent of having become so good at a game that now you try playing it blindfolded with the controller upside down. I remember watching their iconic KEXP performance during the lockdown in 2020 and finally feeling like I had found a rock band that truly represented my generation, a generation that had grown thoroughly tired of rock being the same grey goo.
Today in 2023 I feel very optimistic about the future of rock. One major trend I think we've seen is most of the more popular new guitar-based artists being women, and rock being taken in a much more feminine direction with artists like Mitski, Big Thief, Boygenius, Snail Mail, Soccer Mommy, Wet Leg, The Last Dinner Party and the like which is a very interesting development. And the most exciting scene to follow, arguably in all of Western music right now, is London's Windmill scene which Black Midi, Black Country New Road and the like are a part of, and which Wet Leg and The Last Dinner Party are also kind of adjacent too. Plus, in Australia and New Zealand, it feels like rock never really died, with bands like The Beths, King Gizzard, The Chats, Amyl and the Sniffers, Tropical Fuck Storm and many others producing some amazing records over the past 10 years.
One of my exes introduced the Arctic Monkeys to me. She had the demo versions for their debut album in MP3 (I am talking 2006). Then I gave the CD as a gift and when I listened the album I was gravely disappointed, the demos sounded way better than the album; it was overproduced and loud. Thus the Arctic Monkeys lost of one fan. Guess she kept that band for herself.
Since its 35th anniversary is coming up in October, may I suggest an episode on Daydream Nation by Sonic Youth? I don't know how into Sonic Youth you are but that album is a truly monumental record. One of the albums that shaped 90's rock and the entirety of alternative rock as we know it.
no 1 party anthem might be top 10 bridges of all time. want to say this was the last truly define rock era as of now, altho i feel like we might be moving somewhere now, but theres also so much nostalgia tied to this album especially growing up with it.
Love this band! My brother turned me onto their first album shortly after it came out, and I have been a huge fan ever since. AM is probably one of my top 10 albums of all time. I can probably associate a memory with every song on it. It's a shame they never really became popular here in the USA. Great video. Thanks!
before watching the video i will respond to the title and say as long as king gizzard lives rock will never die
You’d have to ignore King Gizzard, Tame Impala, Mitski, and many others for the title of this to hold true
This album is great, I didn’t listen to it for the longest time because I used to be a fantano Stan and he did not give this album a good review, I realized the error of my ways and now I love this album, shout outs to Arabella
You dressing like 2014 has just made me age a thousand years. Thank you.
trust me i felt like i aged a year or 10 too
ABBY TWICE A WEEK IS GRREAT FOR ME!
Tame impala have made some pretty great rock albums over the past decade
And fellow Aussies, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard.
Infact the rock scene in Australia is very healthy.
Vinyl Monday Friday???!?
Yeah!
I could name 100 albums that came out after AM that are better tf even is this question
I hope you review born to die someday, just got the double record version with bonus tracks and is fucking great
That album is great..not a bad song on it.
Great writing. Loved the drunken shower analogy.
thank you, i heard AM again for the first time in many years while drunk in the shower. pro tip don't shower drunk, the heat makes you drunker
Look, I dig your work abi. But asking If AM is the last great rock record, is like asking if butter on toast is the most interesting food ever
My first record was AM (and MITAM by 1D 💀). Both from UO with a pink crosley player.
Great chaotic stuff, Abby ❤
For something completely different...(no really 'cause you did mention Josh Homme)
Roll transition 😂
Queen's of the Stone Age review....blue or red album.
And, I do bet you do look pretty good on the dance floor, Abby❤
Them Crooked Vultures review 🤔
First record I ever bought was Nevermind by Nirvana. I ended up becoming a bigger fan of In Utero but Nevermind still holds a special place in my heart, just like AM and AM do for other reasons. I feel that ever since 2020 we've been in another "2014 Tumblr" phase with the new Tumblr albums being NFR! by Lana del Rey, folklore by Taylor Swift and Stranger in the Alps by Phoebe Bridgers.
Good Rock records from the last 10 years are almost all from Australia. King Gizzard, Psychadelic Porn Crumpets, and Tropic Fuckstorm are all incredible. Amyl and the Sniffers are fun as well.
Personally, the first two Arkells albums changed my life and are incredible communist albums about being a kid in Hamilton
Australia is where rock is at. I would also like to include The Chats, The Grogans, Pacific Avenue, Ocean Alley, Parkway Drive etc...
Interesting excursion, Abby.
I have to openly state that I was never too smitten by AM in the first place and personally don't think this is a timeless classic. I enjoyed the band's more clearly British and post-punky sound before 'Humbug' a lot more. But that's just me.
During that period, I probably found Tame Impala more important.
This was the first modern record added to my collection (in early 2015), as a gift from my sister. I trail you by a couple years so my exposure to these aesthetics in middle school was thinking that's just what a cool high schooler looked like. My sister was in college so she was exposed to the music (all over college radio and parties) but not the affectations. The beginning of my freshman year (Fall 2015) felt like the winding down of that party, jeans were getting baggier, leather was making less of an appearance, colors were becoming less muted. The record everybody I knew was raving about at that time was Alabama Shakes "Sound & Color". By the time spring 2016 hit there was complete change, the music of suburban teens became stuff like Frank Ocean & Tyler, The Creator & Chance & (sigh) Kanye, which would remain more or less the same until I graduated.
ants from up there and hellfire both released last year?
hellfire was bonkers, it broke my brain and i loved it
I would probably say Fontaines DC are probably the most promising Rock Band in the last few years.
Three Studio L.P.'s in like 4 years. And also a Solo L.P. from Grian (lead singer), and, two Poetry Books.
Mercury Prize, Choice Music Prize (for Debut L.P. "Dogrel") & Grammy Awards (for 2nd L.P. "A Hero's Death") nomination. And, UK No.1 Album for 3rd L.P. "Skinty Fia".
Fontaines DC are actually currently in the U.S. at the moment supporting the Arctic Monkeys on their American Tour.
Think Fontaines DC have had (at least) 6 KEXP Live performances, since 2018 (they're a bit of-a KEXP darlings).
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Looking forward to In Utero to kick off season III
good eye!
I simply started collecting records in the early 2000 because they were so much cheaper than CD's (some cases, sounded a heck of a lot better too {Beatles White Album}) and I'd pay as low as 25 cents for one (Led Zepplin IV). Loved the artwork too and hung a lot on my wall. Never thought they would be worth money, it actually sucks that they are because I can't go rummage through a yard sale but whatever, its life (young kids killed it all😋).
Just needs a yeller rain hat and you’re paddington 😇😂
i mean King Gizzard implicate that rock is still alive and well
I was in my first collegue year when this came out too, but I was very snob and very deep into my punk era to give it atention. I remember listening and liking Do I Wanna Know, but that's all. I didn't even realise that it was something that culturally significant until this year (I'm from Spain, this didn't shock the cultural spectre THAT hard here... or at least, I thought it didn't...). As Abi says, a lot of people I know from that period - specially, girls - went into the nostalgia wagon for the 10th anniversary of this album and, to my surprise, it was very important for a lot of people! Wow... I guess I reeeeally was in another world... and I don't say that in a snob way anymore! It makes me a bit sad that I didn't enjoy probably the only moment in my teenage years that a rock album became a significant thing around me. On the other hand, it's super cool to see all these people enjoying and praising an album that came out when we were young.
In these 10 years I became, fortunately, a bit less stupid and gave atention to a lot of different music, found out that I like a lot of things I wouldn't imagine and, of course, Arctic Monkeys became one of my favourite bands 😂. Always late to the party, I guess
Oh hey I was right
I think you need to be told like the girl Shelly in the crow- don’t cry it can’t rain all the time🖐
I don't know the Arctic Monkeys but you look great!
You got Metric still going strong
Anyone who thinks this clearly hasn't heard any of Queens of the Stone Age's albums (including Them Crooked Vultures) from the last decade
I knew it🤩
How about "Nonagon Infinity" by King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard? A stone-cold classic.
Agreed and it’s superior to AM in every way
Seeing that I’m approaching senility, I thought perhaps from Abby’s preview blurb that she was going to do something on Ten Years After. Boy was I wrong.
Great analysis of am
Would you cover the yeah yeah yeahs,
Interpol ,the strokes the killers
First record I ever bought...I'm not sure if I remember. My first records were gifted to me, but my first actual LP purchase may have been The Rolling Stones' Through The Past, Darkly Volume 2 because I loved Paint It, Black, plus the jacket was cut into an octagon, which, to a seven-year old in 1979, was cooler than all other record jackets. My first 45 was a year earlier, the single for Ace Frehley's cover of New York Groove(I actually fell in love with the Snow Blind B-side and played that more). However, in terms of the last great rock album... GBV's Universal Truths & Cycles, I mean in terms of stone cold classic tier... however, as long as GBV is still making music, the last great rock album might not have been recorded yet, seriously the current lineup is on a motherfuckin' hot streak.
Do album tournaments decided by subscribers
Throwbackables rock ninja
So four stars out five then. 'I wanna be yours' by John Cooper Clarke is now as much a part of English school syllabuses as any by Wordsworth, Keats, Sassoon or Coleridge.
Was that photographed of the screen of CMI's Fairlight V?
2021 The Pretty Reckless Death by Rock n Roll. Arctic Monkeys couldn’t carry their guitar cables.
I like that song "Will you still love me when I am no longer young and beautiful"👵
Petition for Belladonna to be on the next season!!!!
Nah
Supposedly the new David Fincher movie has a lot from The Smiths on the soundtrack. Will do you anything on them?
No
The Artic Monkeys have always reminded me a bit of Robyn Hitchcock, a UK psych artist. I prefer Hitchcock, check him out if you find him in the record bin.
I love the first 4 albums, in my view they are equally awesome. Soundtrack-of-my-life awesome. Then AM. I wanted to love it, saw the band live twice around that time, but it was the first time they just didn't give me the inspiration I was used to, soon the thrill was gone. And I thought Alex had somewhat turned from troubadour of a generation to a prick, who thinks showing off the undenialble intellect is a 1-1 replacement for charisma. I was a bit angry. Looking back, I guess I might have just changed, or AM might have changed, maybe both. Tranquility and The Car are the soundtrack of someone else's life. So it goes. And yes, I also think AM is the last mainstream rock record.
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Anyway, the F-beeps sound like Queen from the mid 70s.
Ily
This is the only Abigail Devoe video I've skipped since the first one. Did I miss anything important?
you missed the reveal of the first album of season 3!!
15:45 - "Mall"? What's that? 😛
There are more recent great rock albums, IMO. "New Long Leg" by Dry Cleaning is great.
Our very first vinyl FRIDAY?!?!
the boygenius album review was the first!
@@abigaildevoe oh yeah, I forgot about that one!
Ghosts out of the corner of your eye.👁
This title is bait lol
A run of videos, after the wish list of albums in the 69 series, where I'm not so up to the mark with the music but my interest is held because this channel always connects the music with the lived culture and that's interesting.
I Bet You Look Good On the Dancefloor was so good. In their performance of Come Together ( London Olympics) they looked a cool band. Then I seem to find most of their stuff turgid, and Turner a bit comical as rock 'crooner'. Around the corner would be Wolf Alice, for me, more equipped to take the 'rock band' forward.
I was worried,that your break was going to be long; now I'm worried, thinking, are you having a good break at all. Hmm.
nice hat Abby
thanks it's been rained on a lot
could be worse! @@abigaildevoe
Personality plus.
I definitley don't think rock is dead, it just isn't the most popular thing anymore, if you want to check out a rock-ish band thats still putting out new good stuff i recommend King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, however their discography is quite large lol
yes it was
The cover looks like a bikini top to me. I don't know what this says about me.
I always thought the cover was in the shape of a bikini top, or bra.
14:58 - Huh... you really do look different IRL. 🙂
of course i do, that photo was 6 years ago
Arctic monkeys don’t really belong in that category of “greatest”. They are still good but kinda in the mid range.
Their first two records are solid and essential 2000’s rock music. But that’s about it, really
this was not even a great album and it’s not the last great rock album
The last great rock album in my opinion is Meliora by Ghost.
Abigail, John Cooper Clarke is a genius and a cultural icon, as well as being hilarious. The poem (slightly altered and expanded by Alex) is so out of context and stripped of Clarke's inimitable delivery, it loses all its wit. Please don't judge him on this.