One could be forgiven for thinking that Sheffield's Arctic Monkeys had caught lightning in a bottle on their runaway-hit 2006 debut, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not, and would swiftly fizzle out and head for the wings like Elastica or Starsailor or Dodgy and countless other ludicrously overhyped U.K. bands before them.

But no, after a year of transatlantic touring in support of that first record, the Monkeys came back harder, groovier, deeper and generally better all around -- even a little Smiths-ier -- on 2007's well-received Favourite Worst Nightmare. Frontman and songwriter Alex Turner proved himself capable of more rumination (and more crooning) than the on-the-prowl laddishness of the previous album had let on, while the rhythm section of Matt Helders and Nick O'Malley limbered up considerably after many a DJ night on the town and brought a booty-shakin' shot of newfound swagger to the proceedings. Very quickly, it became clear that Arctic Monkeys were neither a one-trick pony nor in danger of running out of new ideas. 

TRACKLISTING:

1. Brianstorm
2. Teddy Picker
3. D is for Dangerous
4. Balaclava
5. Fluorescent Adolescent
6. Only Ones Who Know
7. Do Me A Favour
8. This House is a Circus
9. If You Were There, Beward
10. The Bad Thing
11. Old Yellow Bricks
12. 505