If
Arctic Monkeys
launched a tentative retreat on
Suck It & See
, their first effort after being seduced by
Josh Homme
, the group once again forge ahead into bold new territory on
AM
, their fifth album. Neatly splitting the difference between the band's two personalities -- the devotees of barbed British pop and disciples of curdled heavy rock --
consolidates
strengths, a tricky task in and of itself, but the band pushes further, incorporating unapologetic glam stomps, fuzzy guitars, and a decidedly strong rhythmic undercurrent. At times,
pulses to a distinctly danceable rhythm -- "Fireplace" percolates while "Why Do You Only Call Me When You're High" simmers and "Knee Socks" nearly rivals
Franz Ferdinand
in disco rock -- but this isn't an album made for nights out; it's a soundtrack for nights in. Too much of
Alex Turner
's mind is preoccupied with love gone wrong, jealousy, and general misanthropy, so even when he's singing about a "No. 1 Party Anthem," he's doing so with a nearly visible sneer. Such an undercurrent of cynicism makes
an ideal album to listen to under the cover of darkness, but due to the
' muscular wallop and musical restlessness, it never feels like the band is wallowing in bleakness. Instead, this is vibrant, moody music that showcases a band growing ever stronger with each risk and dare they take. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine