To be fair, even those living a hermit's existence have probably got a copy of Whatever People Say I Am, That's what I'm Not tucked away somewhere.

They were the success story of 2006 and proof positive that internet file sharing didn't always equate to poor record sales. Now, countless awards and one bass player later, they return.


The first thing that hits you is that the Monkeys' penchant for terrible album titles is still very much in place. The second is that Favourite Worst Nightmare is thoroughly disappointing on first listen. It's not so much that the album is bad; it's just that as the final chord of the LP rang out I found myself unable to remember a single thing that had happened in the preceding 40 minutes. Thankfully things improve with subsequent listens.

After lead off single Brianstorm has come and gone in a hail of galloping drums and fuzzed up vocals, Teddy Picker is the first great track of the album. Seemingly an attack on the music media (sorry sunshine, it doesn't exist/ it wasn't in the top 100 list) and perhaps the business as a whole (the kids all dream of making it, whatever that means) it is an indication that fame and fortune has not gone to Alex Turner's head and he has kept his acerbic wit intact.

He even manages to cheekily steal a line from Duran Duran's Save a Prayer before the song is out.

Favourite Worst Nightmare definitely marks a progression for the band. They've got heavier in parts (as demonstrated on the brilliant mid-section of If You Were There, Beware) but have also revealed a previously unseen softer side with the really rather lovely ballad Only Ones Who Know.

However, the obvious high point of the album comes in the shape of Fluorescent Adolescent, as the Monkeys do what they do best: telling small town stories over brilliantly catchy jangle-pop. A tale of a woman recalling the sexual exploits of her earlier years, it is destined to be a fan favourite.

An improvement in musicianship (a special nod must go to Matt Helders' brilliantly berserk drumming) and also songwriting, this is a record that sees the Monkeys stretching themselves with great results. It probably won't recreate the huge sales of its predecessor but will almost certainly have more longevity.

The march towards global domination continues.