Still plugging away at Arctic Monkeys’ discography! I’ve been really taking my time working through them because I really want to appreciate what they bring to the table, and so far it’s been a success! I also learned about an indie side project the band took on with the addition of a couple vocalists, including Miles Kane, called Death Ramps – how cool! I’ve see a ring with that name mentioned over the internet whenever I look into Arctic Monkeys or The Last Shadow Puppets, but the knowledge has finally come full circle. Anyways, let’s get into what Suck It and See has to offer!
Firstly, I was fascinated to learn that a lot of this album was recorded live in the studio without much tweaking after the fact. In listening to some of these songs played in a live setting, that’s really freaking impressive! They sound pretty damn amazing. Even though this record came in with a completely different sound just like all the others, there were still a couple tracks, like “She’s Thunderstorms” and “All My Own Stunts” that could have easily been a part of Humbug’s tracklist. Josh Homme had a hand in at least one of those two tracks, so it makes sense that they also seemed like they could have made it onto a Queens of the Stone Age record.
Something else that really stood out to me were some of the song titles this time around! Now, I grew up loving Fall Out Boy and Panic! at the Disco, so I’m not stranger to weird song titles, but my sister has dubbed “Don’t Sit Down ‘Cause I’ve Moved Your Chair” as one of the greatest song titles she’s ever heard (just behind “Attack of the 60ft Lesbian Octopus” by Does It Offend You, Yeah?). Aside from that badass song title, the song also has a bit of a Western flair to it, but then morphs into some really heavy guitar riffs. I love it. Another fun song title off the record is “The Hellcat Spangled Shalalala.” I really have no idea what it all means, but the start of the song gave me very strong Kings of Leon and Local Natives vibes, so obviously I liked it a lot.
The standout songs off the record for me were “Black Treacle” (definitely had to look up what that was), “Brick by Brick,” and “That’s Where You’re Wrong.” The lyrics off of “Brick by Brick” were in no way complex, but made it no less effective. Even more cool about it was that a majority of the vocals off that song were done by drummer, Matt Helders! He’s got a really nice voice! Now, as I’ve listened to the album more, “That Where You’re Wrong” I believe has toppled “Black Treacle” out of the top spot. It just reminds me so much of my favorite The Killers song, “All These Things That I’ve Done.” There are some softer, well sung vocals, but by the end of it the song really jams hard. I freaking love that!
“Library Pictures” is really growing on me, and that’s probably because it sounds like an amalgamation of all of their previous albums. “Reckless Serenade” is also a song I’ll find that I’m singing quietly to myself; it’s very catchy, light, and a little fun. The title track, “Suck It and See” is not super memorable lyrically, but the sound it emits reminds me of something that probably belongs on a movie soundtrack. Who knows, maybe someone’s already used it somewhere! My least favorite songs off the record are probably “Piledriver Waltz,” although I like how the guitars sort of match what was used in “Hellcat,” and “Love is a Laserquest.” The latter is a pretty neat alliterative song title and it’s lyrics are seriously heartbreaking, but it was just a bit boring for me. Who knows, those two will probably end up being my favorite if you ask me next year.
Overall, this was a really solid effort from the band, and it’s definitely up there for me! As I said before, I really like the method in which they chose to record this album, and it really just solidifies their massive talent. I liked some of the risks they took this time around, and it paid off for the most part. I think once I’m done going through Arctic Monkeys final two albums, that I’ll listen to what available for Death Ramps – love when Miles Kane is involved with them!