`Favorite Worst Nightmare'
EMI
Sheffield may be turning into what Manchester was to the British rock music scene during the 1980s and early 1990s, a source that continuously sends out a stream of talented bands to the world. Leading the front is the four-piece Arctic Monkeys, whose debut album last year reaped not only huge critical and popular success, but shot the young band's status as high as to headline the Glastonbury Festival this year.
Fear of a sophomore slump is not to be found on this album, which stays true to the group's roots of speedy, dry rock'n roll, firmly backed by groovy, danceable rhythms and elements of melodic pop. The first single-cut ``Brianstorm'' opens the album with an almost thrash metal-like energy, followed by typically short tracks with three minutes of runtime on average. The band's trademark _ sharp, stop-and-start guitar play _ got more skillful, along with frontman Alex Turner's vocals that wryly deliver lyrics in a manner definitely older than his 21 years.
-Seo Dong-shin