Arctic Monkeys @ First Avenue 5/7/07: City Pages A-List Pick

Brianna did a great job writing this for City Pages:

The Arctic Monkeys' Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not was the fastest-selling debut album in British history, making them a wet dream for fans and haters alike. But despite the fact that they demanded the latter group, in song no less, to "bring on the backlash," the diss crowd has been surprisingly quiet. The Monkeys' follow-up album, Favourite Worst Nightmare, will no doubt prolong the silence: It's a tight, exhilarating powerhouse of fierce guitar riffs and savage, rapid-fire drums that climax into an unrelenting and highly danceable frenzy. Wordsmith Alex Turner's articulate hip-hop/Shakespeare influenced lyrical tumbles ("Now the shaggers perform/And the daggers are drawn") are carefully crafted narratives. Exploding with innocent sexuality (the lads are 21 and under) and darker imagery, the new songs expand beyond "The Weekend" of their debut. This will be the band's first visit to Minneapolis—Chicago is the closest they've been—and in June they will headline the legendary Glastonbury festival in front of more than 100,000 mud-caked fanatics. So come pogo while you can in the comfort of our cozy rock club. With Be Your Own Pet. 18+. $20/$25 at the door. 8:00 p.m.

More info/tickets: First Avenue

mp3: Arctic Monkeys - Take It Or Leave It (Strokes Cover - live) (YSI)



Arctic Monkeys Website / MySpace / The Riot Van
Be Your Own Pet Website / MySpace

I'll see you at the show Monday. Have a great weekend!