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iTunes Music Review - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not (4 out of 5)

Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
- 4 out of 5
- Arctic Monkeys
- Reviewed by Darla Sasaki
- Get on your dancing shoes
  You sexy little swine
  -Arctic Monkeys, "Dancing Shoes"
  
  I admit it. I was introduced to the Arctic Monkeys when they appeared on Saturday Night Live in March. Is it cool to learn about bands on TV? Clearly, based on the album title, I shouldn't say what I think about the band or the music, as I will be wrong. Those tricksters.
  
  This is an album my boyfriend thinks I should dislike. He's (for once) wrong, and I've been rocking to Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not for days. (It's so rocking that it inspired me to clean my car. Really.)
  
  What is it? It's Brit pop which is really more rock with a smidge of ska influence thrown in. I'm sure other reviewers are comparing the vocalist to Jack White, but it's just an auditory illusion. The thumping and bumping bass line ought to tell you you're far from White Stripes territory. This album makes me want to put on big ol' headphones and strut down the street. Or rock out on public transportation. Or throw myself down a hill on my mountain bike.
  
  A friend and I talk often about albums which have an "intro" track that we inevitably skip. You know the ones--where track 1 might not be called "Intro," but it's just as necessary as a song without a title could possibly be. Whatever... does not have an intro track. Jump in at the beginning and enjoy, you won't regret it.
  
  Favorite Songs: "Dancing Shoes" and "Mardy Bum."
  - Darla Sasaki
Darla began playing the piano when she was eight. But she's lazy, so she switched to the clarinet in order to read only one line of music at a time. She then expanded to the alto and soprano sax to spice up her woodwind life. Meanwhile, she listens to everything from The Beach Boys to Boulderdash (which, if not interpreted alphabetically, is a lot of music, but is otherwise only the groups between "be-" and "bo-"). She places full blame on her friends for her eclectic tastes. In an ideal world, she would want an easy way to describe the music she loves, mix tapes would still be a hot hobby, and the RIAA would get over themselves.