Misplaced Pages

Revision as of 07:14, 7 February 2021

Favourite Worst Nightmare
Studio album by Arctic Monkeys
Released	23 April 2007 (2007-04-23)
Recorded	December 2006
Studio	Miloco Garden, London Eastcote, London Motor Museum, Liverpool Konk, London
Genre	Post-punk revival indie rock garage rock
Length	37:18
Label	Domino Warner Bros. (US only)
Producer	James Ford Mike Crossey
Arctic Monkeys chronology
Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not (2006) Favourite Worst Nightmare (2007) At the Apollo (2008)
Singles from Favourite Worst Nightmare
"Brianstorm" Released: 2 April 2007 "Fluorescent Adolescent" Released: 4 July 2007 "Teddy Picker" Released: 3 December 2007

Favourite Worst Nightmare is the second studio album by English rock band Arctic Monkeys, released on 23 April 2007 by Domino Recording Company. Recorded in east London's Miloco Studios with producers James Ford and Mike Crossey, the album was preceded by the release of "Brianstorm" on 16 April 2007. This is the band's first album with bassist Nick O'Malley, replacing their previous bassist Andy Nicholson, who left the band before the North America tour of the band's debut studio album.

Change of style

In comparison to the band's debut album Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not, the album has been described as "very, very fast and very, very loud", being seen as "more ambitious, heavier...and with a fiercely bright production". Reflecting the band's travels around the world more than local stories of the first record, FWN is a "faster, meaner" album. The album arguably has influences from The Smiths – "twanging, quasi-ambient backdrops...and Turner's voice crooning like Morrissey or Richard Hawley." Matt Helders said "James was DJing loads in the evening so we'd go out and have a dance." As a result, the drum rhythms of Helders and bassist Nick O'Malley have drawn comparisons to the Eighties funk band ESG. The band's love of classic films also influenced their new style. For example, the organ at the beginning of the album's final track, "505" is replicating Ennio Morricone's soundtrack for The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (where Angel Eyes enters before the final standoff).

History

The album title, Favourite Worst Nightmare, came from the song "D is for Dangerous", the third song featured on the album. The band said they also considered naming the album Lesbian Wednesdays, Gordon Brown or Gary Barlow.

In an interview with NME, Nick O'Malley announced several titles including "D is for Dangerous" and "Balaclava". The tracks "The Bakery" and "Plastic Tramp" also mentioned in the NME interview did not make it onto the album, but were later released as B-sides on the "Fluorescent Adolescent" single. The track "Leave Before the Lights Come On" was also rumoured for inclusion, though it didn't make it.

6 of the 12 songs were debuted at gigs before they released the album. The album was recorded quickly as the band wanted to get out and play the songs again.

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Aggregate scores
Source	Rating
Metacritic	82/100
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic
Entertainment Weekly	B+
The Guardian
Los Angeles Times
MSN Music (Consumer Guide)	B+
NME	9/10
Pitchfork	7.4/10
Q
Rolling Stone
Spin

Favourite Worst Nightmare has received universal acclaim since release, with a score of 82 on Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews. In a 5-star review, The Daily Express described it as "a shockingly good release that just gets better, faster and stronger with each listen", while The Guardian said it had "successfully negotiated the daunting task of following up the biggest-selling debut album in British history" and stated that the second half of the album was the stronger half, noting the similarity to Morrissey in "Fluorescent Adolescent" whilst criticising the opening tracks, Brianstorm in particular. Their progression was also highlighted with The Guardian saying "if you removed everything from the album except Matt Helders' drumming, it would still be a pretty gripping listen", and The Observer praising the new sounds on the album referencing the "piercing, melodic guitar by Jamie Cook" and "where Turner reveals the other weapons in his armoury" when referring to Alex Turner's progression. Pitchfork Media noticed the "new emotional depth" of tracks such as "Do Me a Favour", "Only Ones Who Know" and "505", which were also commonly cited by most other critics as being amongst the highlights.

Commercial performance

In its first week of release the album sold 227,993 copies, emulating Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not in going straight to number one in the UK Albums Chart, albeit selling 130,000 copies fewer than their record-breaking debut. The first two singles from the album Brianstorm and Fluorescent Adolescent were both UK Top Hits.

Favourite Worst Nightmare's first day sales of 85,000 outsold the rest of the Top 20 combined, while all twelve tracks from the album entered the top 200 of the UK Singles Chart in their own right. By September 2013 the album has sold 821,128 copies in UK.

In the USA, the album debuted at number seven, selling around 44,000 copies in its first week. The album has since gone 3x platinum in the UK and the album was nominated for the 2007 Mercury Prize. At the 2008 BRIT Awards it won Best British Album.

Track listing

All tracks are written by Alex Turner, except where noted

Bonus video

• The music video for "Brianstorm" was included as a bonus with iTunes pre-orders of Favourite Worst Nightmare.

Personnel

Credits adapted from liner notes.

Charts

Certifications

Release history

References

1. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Favourite Worst Nightmare – Arctic Monkeys". AllMusic. Retrieved 24 March 2009.
2. Sylvia, Dave De (21 April 2007). "Review Summary". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 11 June 2016. blending seamlessly with the group's rough-edged post-punk sound.
3. ^ Fert, Baris (16 August 2013). "WHATEVER PEOPLE SAY, I AM AN HUMBUG, YOUR FAVOURITE WORST NIGHTMARE AND AM FROM SHEFFIELD. SO, SUCK IT AND SEE!". Guestlist. Retrieved 11 June 2016. I think these two albums are the good illustrations of Indie-Rock and garage rock integrated with the genre of post-punk revival.
4. "THE 50 GREATEST SECOND ALBUMS OF ALL TIME". Gigwise. 27 October 2015. Retrieved 11 June 2016. Well rise they did with this slab of fast and furious indie rock genius.
5. Bartz, Simon (5 April 2007). "Planet of the apes". The Japan Times. Retrieved 11 April 2007.
6. ^ Paphides, Pete (23 March 2007). "Whatever we hoped they'd be, they are". The Times. London. Retrieved 24 March 2007.
7. "Arctic Monkeys set to unleash "Favourite Worst Nightmare"". Monsters and Critics. 11 April 2007. Archived from the original on 23 April 2007. Retrieved 11 April 2007.
8. ^ Mulvey, John (22 February 2007). "Favourite Worst Nightmare". Uncut. Retrieved 28 February 2007.
9. Collett-White, Mike (20 April 2007). "Arctic Monkeys face the music with 2nd album". The Scotsman (Reuters). Retrieved 20 April 2007.
10. ^ "Insiders' guide to Arctic Monkeys". BBC News. 23 April 2007. Retrieved 2 May 2010.
11. ^ "Reviews for Favourite Worst Nightmare by Arctic Monkeys". Metacritic. Retrieved 24 March 2009.
12. Hermes, Will (22 April 2007). "Favourite Worst Nightmare". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
13. ^ Petridis, Alexis (24 April 2007). "Arctic Monkeys, Favourite Worst Nightmare". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 2 May 2010.
14. Cromelin, Richard (22 April 2007). "Success can be a 'Nightmare'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
15. Christgau, Robert (July 2007). "Consumer Guide". MSN Music. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
16. Beaumont, Mark (16 April 2007). "Arctic Monkeys: Favourite Worst Nightmare". NME. Archived from the original on 19 January 2016. Retrieved 16 February 2012.
17. ^ Hogan, Marc (24 April 2007). "Arctic Monkeys: Favourite Worst Nightmare". Pitchfork. Retrieved 16 February 2012.
18. "Arctic Monkeys: Favourite Worst Nightmare". Q (250): 115. May 2007.
19. Hoard, Christian (17 April 2007). "Favourite Worst Nightmare". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 16 February 2012.
20. Walters, Barry (May 2007). "No Place Like Home". Spin. 23 (5): 83. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
21. "Home of the Daily and Sunday Express | Music :: ARCTIC MONKEYS: FAVOURITE WORST NIGHTMARE". Express.co.uk. 20 April 2007. Retrieved 16 February 2012.
22. Savage, Jon (22 April 2007). "Arctic Monkeys, Favourite Worst Nightmare". The Observer. London. Retrieved 16 February 2012.
23. "Key Releases: 29.08.09". Music Week: 40. 29 August 2009.
24. "Arctics' album storms to the top". BBC. 29 April 2007. Retrieved 30 April 2007.
25. Hasty, Katie (2 May 2007). "Lavigne Remains No. 1 As Joe Debuts High". Billboard.
26. BPI.co.uk
27. "ACE Repertory". Retrieved 6 October 2020.
28. Favourite Worst Nightmare (booklet). Arctic Monkeys. London: Domino Recording Company. 2007. WIGCD188. Retrieved 6 June 2018.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
29. "Australiancharts.com – Arctic Monkeys – Humbug". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
30. "Austriancharts.at – Arctic Monkeys – Humbug" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
31. "Ultratop.be – Arctic Monkeys – Humbug" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
32. "Ultratop.be – Arctic Monkeys – Humbug" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
33. "Arctic Monkeys Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
34. "Danishcharts.dk – Arctic Monkeys – Humbug". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
35. "Dutchcharts.nl – Arctic Monkeys – Humbug" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
36. "Arctic Monkeys: Humbug" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
37. "Lescharts.com – Arctic Monkeys – Humbug". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
38. "Officialcharts.de – Arctic Monkeys – Humbug". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
39. "GFK Chart-Track Albums: Week 17, 2007". Chart-Track. IRMA. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
40. "Italiancharts.com – Arctic Monkeys – Humbug". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
41. "Mexicancharts.com – Arctic Monkeys – Humbug". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
42. "Charts.nz – Arctic Monkeys – Humbug". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
43. "Norwegiancharts.com – Arctic Monkeys – Humbug". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
44. "Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
45. "Spanishcharts.com – Arctic Monkeys – Humbug". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
46. "Swedishcharts.com – Arctic Monkeys – Humbug". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
47. "Swisscharts.com – Arctic Monkeys – Humbug". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
48. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
49. "Arctic Monkeys Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
50. "Arctic Monkeys Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
51. "Jaaroverzichten 2007". Ultratop. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
52. "Rapports Annuels 2007". Ultratop. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
53. "Jaaroverzichten – Album 2007". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
54. "Top de l'année Top Albums 2007" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
55. オリコン年間 アルバムランキング 2007年度 [Oricon Annual CD Album Ranking 2007] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on 27 June 2015. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
56. "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2007". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
57. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2007 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
58. "Japanese album certifications – Arctic Monkeys – Favourite Worst Nightmare" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved 25 January 2014. Select 2007年05月 on the drop-down menu
59. Jones, Alan (16 September 2013). "Official Charts Analysis: Arctic Monkeys' AM doubles predecessor's week-one sales". Music Week. Intent Media. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
60. "British album certifications – Arctic Monkeys – Favourite Worst Nightmare". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
61. "Arctic Monkeys Favourite Worst Nightmare Japanese CD album (CDLP) (396187)". eil.com.
62. "Favourite Worst Nightmare" – via Amazon.
63. "Sanity.com.au".
64. "eil.com rare vinyl records, 7", 12", albums, LPs, singles, CDs, CD singles & music memorabilia including imports, new, collectable, promo, vintage, withdrawn & deleted at esprit. We buy & sell record collections". eil.com.
65. "Arctic Monkeys Favourite Worse Nightmare - Digipak UK CD album (CDLP) (397574)". eil.com.
66. Mulvey, John (19 March 2007). "Arctic Monkeys' 'Favourite Worst Nightmare' gets a life from Warner Bros". Monsters and Critics. Archived from the original on 27 April 2007. Retrieved 11 April 2007.

• 2007 albums
• Albums produced by James Ford (musician)
• Arctic Monkeys albums
• Domino Recording Company albums
• Warner Records albums
• Brit Award for British Album of the Year