They who rock hard

The title of the first single was an instant grabber. Now, why did I not think of that? I Bet You Look Good on the Dance Floor. Anything called something like that is sure to catch the attention of anybody. And it did. The song made the barely a-year-old rock band Arctic Monkeys one of the most exciting discoveries in the realm of British rock.

Arctic Monkeys comes from Sheffield, England and is made up of Alex Turner, (vocals and guitar); Jamie Cook (guitar and vocals); Andy Nicholson (bass) and Matt Helders (drums). They started their careers by giving out demos from the backdoors of pubs and coffee shops to anybody who cared to take them but steadfastly refused to do shows or sign with a label.

Their music rocked hard. Think Oasis or Nirvana. The poetry in their songs had a kind of romantic nihilism kids easily related to. Thanks to those demos, the Monkeys were a hit even before they were discovered. Soon, demand for a live performance became too overwhelming to resist and in no time at all they had become a proper rock band with gigs and a record deal. The first album came out last March in the UK.

In keeping with the image established by I Bet You Look Good on the Dance Floor, one of the singles in those early demos, the title of the debut album is also quite catchy. Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not. I do not know how this refers to the Monkeys but I have to say that it works. If it does not do anything for you then you might want to wax philosophical with the others.

Here goes: The View from the Afternoon, Fake Tales of San Francisco, Dancing Shoes, You Probably Couldn’t See The Lights but You Were Looking Straight at Me, Still Take You Home, Riot Van, Red Light Indicates the Doors are Secure, Mardy Bum, Perhaps Vampire Is a Bit Strong But…, When the Sun Goes Down, From The Ritz to The Rubble, A Certain Romance and of course I Bet You Look Good on the Dance Floor.

The music of the whole package smacks of kids on the quest for what is loud and trendy. Think coffee shops, performance art, smoky clubs. I have to say there’s nothing really new here. What fans are gushing over are lyrics that blow their minds out like "I’ve seen you frown and it’s like looking down the barrel of a gun." Wow. You must be over 20 if that does not get you.

Meanwhile in the US, the Top 10 of The Billboard 200 album list for the week are: Future Sex/Love Sounds by Justin Timberlake; Continuum by John Mayer; B-Day by Beyoncé; Face The Promise by Bob Seger; Modern Times by Bob Dylan; Coming Home by Lionel Richie; Extreme Behavior by Hinder; Danity Kane by Danity Kane; Amputechture by The Mars Volta and All the Right Reasons by Nickelback.

The Top 10 songs in the Hot 100 list are: Sexy Back by Justin Timberlake; Money Maker by Ludacris featuring Pharrell; Too Little Too Late by Jojo; London Bridge by Fergie; Lips of an Angel by Hinder; Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol; How to Save a Life by The Fray; Chain Hang Low by Jibbs; Crazy by Gnarls Barkley and Buttons by the Pussycat Dolls.

Incidentally, The Pussycat Dolls and Nickelback which both have hits in the Billboard lists are among the nominees in this year’s American Music Awards. Take note, the selection process was based on record sales. That means these names are among the most popular in the US today. Winners will be chosen by a survey of 20,000 people and announced during one of the music industry’s most star-studded evenings on Nov. 21 at the Shrine Auditorium.

So in the running for the prizes, which most artists hope will give them a kick start towards a Grammy are:

Pop/Rock:

Male: Nick Lachey, Sean Paul, Kanye West

Female: Mariah Carey, Kelly Clarkson, Nelly Furtado

Group: Nickelback, The Pussycat Dolls, Red Hot Chili Peppers

Album: All the Right Reasons by Nickelback; Stadium Arcadium by Red Hot Chili Peppers; High School Musical by Various Artists.

Country:

Male: Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, Keith Urban

Female: Faith Hill, Carrie Underwood, Grethen Wilson

Group: Brooks & Dunn, Montgomery Gentry, Rascal Flatts

Album: Legend of Johnny Cash by Johnny Cash; Greatest Hits Volume 2 by Tim McGraw; Me and My Gang by Rascal Flatts.

Soul/Rhythm & Blues:

Male: Chris Brown, Jamie Foxx, Ne-Yo

Female: Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Keyshia Cole

Group: The Black Eyed Peas, The Isley Brothers, Jagged Edge

Album: The Breakthrough by Mary J. Blige; The Emancipation of Mimi by Mariah Carey; Unpredictable by Jamie Foxx.

Rap/Hip-Hop

Male: Eminem, T.I., Kanye West

Group: The Black Eyed Peas, Dem Franchise Boyz, Three 6 Mafia

Album: Monkey Business by The Black Eyed Peas; Curtain Call by Eminem; King by T.I.

Adult Contemporary: Michael Bublé, Kelly Clarkson, Rob Thomas.

Alternative: Nickelback, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Latin: Daddy Yankee, Don Omar, Shakira.

Contemporary Inspirational: Aly & AJ, Casting Crowns, Kirk Franklin.

Breakthrough: Chamillionaire, The Pussycat Dolls, Carrie Underwood.