Arctic Monkeys: The Car
Arctic Monkeys: The Car
The 7th effort by the Sheffield band. Is next up under the Beyond the Grooves microscope.
Side A opens with lead single ‘There Better Be A Mirrorball’ a track that picks up where the band left off. A cinematic yet lounge like affair, with swirling piano and powerful strings. It’s a far cry from the bands beginnings, yet it still sounds somewhat familiar. ‘I Ain’t Quite Where I Think I Am’ is a true highlight, a funky bass riff and dance like drums. The space choir boys found on the bands 2013 record AM also make a little appearance, in the form of falsetto vocals. One of the albums best tracks. ‘Sculptures of Anything Goes’ is the darkest and most electronic thing the Arctic Monkeys have done to date, it’s an experimental mix of synths and drum machines, with again a familiar feel. A riff that’s very similar to a certain ‘Do I Wanna Know’. ‘Jet Skis on the Moat’ is a lyrical minefield which almost hints at Alex’s childhood, autobiographical in some parts. With some brilliant guitar parts played by Jamie Cook. An underrated track in the bands discography. ‘Body Paint’ ends Side A a swirling 70s epic, which sees each member brought to the forefront for their own little show. I can see why it was a single!
Side B opens with the title track ‘The Car’ it’s one of the albums most underrated tracks where the music is quite subdued and Alex’s lyrics do the talking. Strings are the focal point of the song, it sometimes feels like the band are supporting the strings. Which goes against the norm, as it is usually the other way around. A piece that sounds like it should belong in a film. ‘Big Ideas’ sees the band explore the songs title, they all had a lot of Big Ideas for how things should sound, or what the song should be like. Another song that sounds very sound track like. It’s also one of the songs on the album that has a traditional chorus. In terms of the album the song fits very well, but I cannot lie and say it’s an instant classic. ‘Hello You’ on the other hand, is. This song is probably my favourite track on the album with nods to the past, and some very strange lyrics. One of the only tracks that survived the early 2019 sessions. Matt Helders drums are allowed to breathe on this song supported by some brilliant string arrangements. ‘Mr Schwartz’ is the penultimate track and the last song completed for the album centred around a fictional character. A much slower paced with some brilliant finger picking from Alex. With a brilliant reference to a much earlier Arctic Monkeys song ‘Dancing Shoes’. Ending the album is ‘Perfect Sense’ a much shorter song, that brings the album to a well rounded end