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Year in Rock 2011 Nominee: Arctic Monkeys

ARCTIC MONKEYS
Reckless Serenade

From: Suck It and See
Released: June 7

The phrase "suck it and see" is British, just like the Arctic Monkeys.  It refers to something you're unsure about, i.e. the flavour of a candy.  The gist being that if you don't know what it's like, try it and you will.  Of course, America isn't allowed to have nice things, and the gutterminds in charge of sheltering the public from anything that may possibly have the slightest hint of something that may be considered by somebody somewhere nay anybody anywhere the tiniest bit offensive decided that Arctic Monkeys were suggesting we suck their dicks and censored their album cover at some retailers.  Yes, that album cover.  The completely blank album cover with just the band's logo on a sticker and just the title.  It's so risqué, n'est pas?
Suck It and See is an appropriate title for Arctic Monkeys' fourth album, because it's their most diverse offering to date, giving a taste (see what I did there?) of their previous efforts while adding a few new splashes of flavour (wink wink).  You've got elements of their massive and energetic debut thanks to Library Pictures, a track that hurdles along and smashes eardrums while laughing all the way.  You've got flashbacks of the desert drenched high they created with Josh Homme on Humbug with Don't Look Down 'Cause I've Moved Your Chair and All My Own Stunts (which has Homme providing backup).  However, the closest cousin to Suck It and See is probably their second album, Favourite Worst Nightmare.  The sixties-tinged pop they explored on that album's smash Flourescent Adolescent and a handful of other tracks is the juggernaut that keeps this album's flow going.  From the opener She's Thunderstorms to closing anthem (well, anthem by Monkeys standards) That's Where You're Wrong, this album wears its heart on its sleeve.  And Alex Turner deserves full marks with his vocals here; we always knew he could sing, but on Suck It and See he employs his voice as an instrument much more often than he shouts/speaks his lyrics. 

The star song on the album is a bit of a dogfight, what with so many highlights as there are on Suck It and See.  There are a lot of great moments, so in the end I had to go with my gut and my heart, and pick the one I've gone back to more often than any other on the album.  Reckless Serenade is a monster of a track (even though it wasn`t even a single), with smooth bass, a snappy beat, and lyrics that just (and I mean just) balance on the tightrope separating awesome from insane.  It's a fun song, and it's heartfelt.  It's a pleasing detour on an album full of pleasing detours. 

Suck It and See sounds not only like an all encompassing career summary, it also sounds somewhat like a reset button.  One gets the feeling that Arctic Monkeys can go anywhere from here, although we`ll have to wait a little while before getting any more answers; Alex Turner announced earlier this year that they`d be taking a break from writing and peforming until at least 2013. That leaves a lot of time to reflect, and to plan their next move.  That's why I consider them to be one of the most exciting bands to be a fan of these days. 

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