Which Is The Best Arctic Monkeys Album?

Arctic Monkeys have now released 4 studio albums, but which is their finest work to date?


'Whatever People Say I am, That's What I'm Not' (2006) was Arctic Monkeys' first album, making a huge impact on British guitar music, with them immediately being declared the saviors of the genre. 'I Bet That You Look Good On The Dancefloor' the first single taken from the album and 'When The Sun Goes Down' both rocketed straight to #1 and reignited the flame of the indie/rock world.

Everybody began to think that Arctic Monkeys could not match their first release, but how wrong they were when 'Favourite Worst Nightmare' (2007) was released. This topped the UK album chart, with every song from the album in the top 200 on it's day of release. Alex Turner (Vocals and Guitar) refered to 'Favourite Worst Nightmare' as "Very different from last time" and they showed this on The Jonathon Ross Show, debuting single 'Fluorescent Adolescent' in circus clown outfits. 

The third Arctic Monkeys album, 'Humbug' (2008) has divided the opinions of everyone interested in their music. Some say that it is by far their best work as a band, whereas others say it is their worst. 'Humbug' did not succeed in the way the first two albums did, with single 'Crying Lightning' only reaching #12 in the chart. By this time however, Arctic Monkeys had become a household name in British music, and so with a headline slot at Reading and Leeds festival, they were unphased by negative opinions of the LP.

After releasing three albums in as many years, Arctic Monkeys concentrated on touring for a while until 'Suck It And See' (2011) was first heard by the British public. The boys allowed the public to listen to the entire album before deciding whether or not to purchase it, and interesting decision some might say, however the gamble paid off as 'Suck It And See' shot to #1 in the UK charts. 

Lyrically; Arctic Monkeys have developed an amazing amount over the past 6 years, with 'Humbug' and 'Suck It And See' prime examples of this, but is this all that makes a good album? There is no doubt that Alex Turner will go down as one of the greats of modern Rock 'n' Roll music, however in my opinion the naivety and adolescence shown in Turner's earlier work appeals more too my nature, and so here are my rankings:

1. 'Whatever People Say I am, That's What I'm Not'
2. 'Favourite Worst Nightmare'
3. 'Suck It And See'
4. 'Humbug'