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30. AM - Arctic Monkeys (2013)

Rock

You might be cool, but you’ll never be Arctic Monkeys cool. 2013’s AM found the British band once again shattering perceived ceilings and breaking headlong into the global mainstream with a colossal swagger meticulously distilled from singer and bandleader Alex Turner’s boundless creative intuition. Already well established on the strength of four acclaimed releases Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not (2006), Favourite Worst Nightmare (2007), Humbug (2009) and Suck It and See (2011), Turner built upon the momentum with the band’s most direct and penetrating album yet.

Turner’s intent is immediately evident in the one-two punch of “Do I Wanna Know” and “R U Mine” to start the album, two catchy, clever tracks that meld the accessibility of pop and the brash variety of rock the band is known for. Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme was called in to assist with production on the album after the group had worked him on Humbug. His input is clear both from a production standpoint and in the overall vibe of the album, all of which oozes leather jacket, bonafide rockstar confidence. Turner’s clever wordsmithing is in full effect throughout. His referring to the bottom of one’s heart as the “relegation zone” on “One For the Road” is just plain gold to a football fan. “Arabella” is a woozy, lustful track written with poetic finesse that would make any woman swoon. “The horizon tries, but its just not as kind on the eye” he sings as she blushes. Absolutely brilliant.

*image; cover art for the album AM by Arctic Monkeys