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With a wonderful rhythm and great beauty, these are the new compositions from one of the most delectable songwriters on the British shores. The Arctic Monkeys release their new album Suck It And See.

From the first track She’s Thunderstorms, we now hear a refined act rather than the fret bashing, string thraping, fast paced, student union chaos that once was. Now we have a musically endearing and romantic sway. A sweet sound with typical creative wordsmith etiquette that Alex Turner continually delivers. Black Treacle has a similar semblance. There is a greater confidence in their performing. You can feel it and hear it. Brick By Brick – below – we have already heard once or twice by now. But one thing which gets me is the genuine relaxed attitude and then an injection a rawcous rock n roll guitaring with harmonic screeches and bends.

As the album progresses I hear Alice In Chains in the song Don’t Sit Down ‘Cause I’ve Moved Your Chair – below. Strong vocal harmonies with downtuned E strings playing moody distorted riffs. For me it is a sound greatly missed.

I’ll not be the first to say it and no doubt the last but Library Pictures, I just don’t get it. It seems that there was a riff and a sound that the band liked but there were no words that could quite go with it so a bunch of letters and numbers were thrown in to fill the gaps up and bang, there’s a song right there. A bit pointless really. They should’ve just stuck to an instrumental if that was the case. But then, we have Reckless Serenade. Smart, clever and tighter than sweaty spandex.

It’s as if the album is moody. Up for it one minute and then can’t be bothered so much the next. I say that because Piledriver Waltz is a flash of genius even though it is starkly reminiscent of a couple of tracks already passed and of the next couple to come. I guess it is the relation or affiliation I have with the story behind the song. I think many of us have been there so we can all empathise with it.

Overall this is without doubt a lovely album. You can hear influences of the Stone Roses, Sabbath, Nick Cave, Bowie and seriously credible bands and musicians that have their music lasting through the ages. With – what appears to be – a slightly lackadaisical attitude and songs that seem to be half-hearted. However, I do have the feeling that the band may not. I’m hoping and willing to be wrong.

Suck It And See by Arctic Monkeys is out now released by Domino Recordings.