Humbug (album)
{{Short description|2009 studio album by Arctic Monkeys}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Humbug
| type = studio
| artist = Arctic Monkeys
| cover = Arcticmonkeys-humbug.jpg
| alt =
| released = {{start date|2009|8|19|df=yes}}
| recorded = November 2008 – April 2009
| studio =
- Pink Duck, Burbank
- Rancho De La Luna, Joshua Tree
- Mission Sound, New York City
| genre =
| length = {{duration|m=39|s=15}}
| label = Domino
| producer =
| prev_title = At the Apollo
| prev_year = 2008
| next_title = Suck It and See
| next_year = 2011
| misc = {{Singles
| name = Humbug
| type = studio
| single1 = Crying Lightning
| single1date = 6 July 2009
| single2 = Cornerstone
| single2date = 16 November 2009
| single3 = My Propeller
| single3date = 22 March 2010
}}
}}
Humbug is the third studio album by English rock band Arctic Monkeys, first released on 19 August 2009 through Domino Recording Company. The band started to write new material for the album towards the end of summer 2008 and finished it entirely in spring 2009. Like their previous release, Favourite Worst Nightmare (2007), Humbug was released first in Japan, followed by Australia, Brazil, Ireland, and Germany, on 21 August 2009. It was then released in the UK on 24 August 2009, in the US the following day, and in Greece on 31 August.
Wholly recorded in the United States, the band worked with American musician Josh Homme, who produced tracks recorded in Los Angeles and Joshua Tree, California at Rancho De La Luna, alongside New York City recordings produced by James Ford. Musically, the album is a departure from the garage rock and punk-influenced sound of the band's previous work, incorporating elements of stoner rock, desert rock, surf rock, and ambient tones. Homme has been credited by writers for introducing the album's darker sound. Percussion instruments were used on the album, including xylophones, glockenspiels, and shakers. Frontman Alex Turner's vocals on the album are noted as a drastic change from the frenetic and upbeat delivery of Arctic Monkeys' previous albums to a slower and more hushed approach. Turner's songwriting also is a departure from his kitchen-sink realism poetry, instead being replaced by analogy.
The album's release preceded the band's headlining performances at the Reading and Leeds Festivals at the end of that week. It topped the UK Albums Chart and has been certified platinum in the UK. Though Humbug did not receive the extent of acclaim that both Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not (2006) and Favourite Worst Nightmare did by critics, it nevertheless received generally positive reviews, with critics noting that the band expanded their sound and themes, while the album's tone was recognised as darker than the band's previous records.{{Cite web|title=Arctic Monkeys: Humbug|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/13374-humbug/|access-date=12 April 2021|website=Pitchfork|language=en|archive-date=27 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090827134818/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/13374-humbug/|url-status=live}} Retrospectively, Humbug is considered one of the band's most important records, with many noting it as containing various musical styles and lyrical themes the band would further explore on later releases.
Recording
The band started writing songs for the album towards the end of summer 2008, with lead singer Alex Turner suggesting that the inspiration for the first few guitar riffs came while the band were attending the Latitude Festival in Suffolk.{{cite magazine| url=https://www.nme.com/news/arctic-monkeys/44813| title=Arctic Monkeys going 'full on Black Sabbath' for new album| magazine=NME| date=21 May 2009| access-date=3 June 2009| archive-date=25 May 2009| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090525091903/http://www.nme.com/news/arctic-monkeys/44813| url-status=live}} Tracks were written through the end of 2008, with recording taking place around the band's touring schedule towards late 2008 and early 2009. Alex Turner wrote all the album.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory#ace/writer/480510673/TURNER%20ALEX|title=ACE Repertory|website=www.ascap.com|access-date=29 November 2019|archive-date=6 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130306032310/https://www.ascap.com/Home/ace-title-search/index.aspx#ace/writer/480510673/TURNER%20ALEX|url-status=live}} Co-produced by Josh Homme,{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/35485-arctic-monkeys-announce-new-album/ |title=Arctic Monkeys Announce New Album |website=Pitchfork |date=1 June 2009 |access-date=22 February 2012 |archive-date=13 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111113210525/http://pitchfork.com/news/35485-arctic-monkeys-announce-new-album/ |url-status=live }} the album was wholly recorded in the United States. Homme-produced tracks recorded in Los Angeles and the Mojave Desert alongside New York City recordings produced – as per the second album – by James Ford,{{cite web| url=http://www.mtv.co.uk/artists/arctic-monkeys/news/123179-arctic-monkeys-confirm-new-album-details| title=Arctic Monkeys Confirm New Album Details| publisher=MTV UK| date=2 June 2009| access-date=3 June 2009| archive-date=16 July 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120716204702/http://www.mtv.co.uk/news/arctic-monkeys/123179-arctic-monkeys-confirm-new-album-details| url-status=dead}} who also produced the album The Age of the Understatement by Turner's side-project The Last Shadow Puppets.
While recording the album, the band incorporated a wide variety of instruments that they had not used previously. Baritone and slide guitars can be heard throughout the album, as well as new guitar effects. The guitar playing on the album has a desert/surf tone. The presence of a variety of keyboards on almost every track was something new for the band, with lead singer Alex Turner recording all of them himself with the exception of the album's singles, which were handled by session and touring keyboardist John Ashton.{{Cite web |url=http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/feb10/articles/homme.htm |title=Josh Homme |access-date=26 January 2014 |archive-date=1 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201205633/http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/feb10/articles/homme.htm |url-status=live }} The presence of new percussion instruments was also evident, as the band used xylophones, glockenspiels and shakers. While being interviewed for the BBC's The Culture Show, Turner and Matt Helders cited Jimi Hendrix, Cream, Jake Thackray, John Cale, Nick Cave, Roky Erickson and the Beatles as influences on the recording of the album.
Composition
The album's tone is more relaxed than the band's "aggressive" previous records. Robin Murray of Clash notes that a "spooky carnivalesque atmosphere permeates the album; there’s the recurring waltzer organ, the circus-like marching drums, and of course the bellowing ringmaster, luring us all into the dark and devilish delights of what’s in store.{{Cite web|title=Arctic Monkeys - Humbug|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/arctic-monkeys-humbug|access-date=2021-07-22|website=Clash Magazine|date=30 July 2009 |language=en}} Homme has been credited by writers for introducing the album's darker sound.{{Cite web|title=Arctic Monkeys: Humbug|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/13374-humbug/|access-date=2021-07-22|website=Pitchfork|language=en}} Murray further notes Turner's voice as transitioning from "breakneck reality bites" into a dark, deep and hushed singing voice. According to Mike Driver in his BBC Music review, "Humbug embraces the true nature of album-craft by sequencing ten tracks in such a way that coherence and consistency bind constituent pieces into a single, enjoyably sombre whole."{{Cite web|last=Diver|first=Mike|title=BBC - Music - Review of Arctic Monkeys - Humbug|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/9ww6/|access-date=2021-07-22|website=www.bbc.co.uk|language=en-GB}} Driver also notes that "Kitchen-sink realism poetry’s replaced by rampant analogies, characters of the everyday transformed into otherworldly denizens with wicked intentions. Turner still spills syllables rather too swiftly at times [...] but largely a slow-and-steady approach prevails, mirrored by the music’s assured shuffle." Murray highlights that the two most distinct features that dominate Humbug are "the smoky trembling guitar" and Turner's matured croon.
Musically, Humbug has been described as psychedelic rock,{{cite web |last=Cameron |first=Keith |date=9 September 2013 |title=Arctic Monkeys – AM |url=https://www.mojo4music.com/articles/6412/arctic-monkeys-am |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727181022/https://www.mojo4music.com/articles/6412/arctic-monkeys-am |archive-date=27 July 2018 |access-date=27 July 2018 |website=Mojo |quote=Superficially, Do I Wanna Know? harks back to the spectral psych-rock the Monkeys essayed so successfully on Humbug}} hard rock,{{cite web |last=Rytlewski |first=Evan |date=7 June 2011 |title=Arctic Monkeys: Suck It And See |url=https://www.avclub.com/arctic-monkeys-suck-it-and-see-1798168445 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727212209/https://music.avclub.com/arctic-monkeys-suck-it-and-see-1798168445 |archive-date=27 July 2018 |access-date=27 July 2018 |website=The A.V. Club |quote=On 2009’s Josh Homme-produced Humbug, Arctic Monkeys swapped the post-punk frenzies of their first records for '70s hard-rock clamor and psychedelic digressions}} stoner rock,{{cite web |author=Petridis, Alex |date=2 June 2011 |title=Arctic Monkeys: Suck It and See – review |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/jun/02/arctic-monkeys-suck-it-and-see-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723034724/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/jun/02/arctic-monkeys-suck-it-and-see-review |archive-date=23 July 2015 |access-date=22 July 2015 |work=The Guardian}} and desert rock.
Release
File:Arctic Monkeys @ Shepherds Bush Empire.jpg
Early soundbites of tracks from the album appeared in the band's periodical video diary on YouTube.{{cite web|date=14 May 2009|title=The View From... The Birthday Boy|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAxLbmjnDbA|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120228080842/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAxLbmjnDbA&context=C3f48659ADOEgsToPDskKU4xyRY3hWYVZFnAlpfPHD|archive-date=28 February 2012|access-date=3 June 2009|publisher=Arctic Monkeys Official YouTube Channel}} The first single of the album was "Crying Lightning". It was released on 6 July, when it was played on BBC Radio 1 and was available for download from iTunes after midnight that day.{{cite web|last=Muir|first=Ava|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/arctic_monkeys_career_retrospective_from_rubble_to_the_ritz|work=Exclaim!|title=Arctic Monkeys' Career So Far: From Rubble to the Ritz|date=21 June 2018|access-date=16 March 2021|archive-date=9 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109023225/https://exclaim.ca/music/article/arctic_monkeys_career_retrospective_from_rubble_to_the_ritz|url-status=live}} On 4 October 2009 the band's official website announced the second single from the album would be "Cornerstone".{{cite web|url=http://arcticmonkeys.com/news.php?id=385&page=|title=New Single Announcement|publisher=arcticmonkeys.com|date=16 November 2009|access-date=18 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707160716/http://www.arcticmonkeys.com/news.php?id=385&page=|archive-date=7 July 2011|url-status=dead}}
On 1 February 2010, the third single from the album was announced to be "My Propeller", which was released on 22 March.{{cite web|url=http://www.arcticmonkeys.com/news.php?id=424|title=New Single Announced|access-date=3 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120193659/http://www.arcticmonkeys.com/news.php?id=424|archive-date=20 January 2015|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/arctic-monkeys/49515|title=Arctic Monkeys to release 'My Propeller' single and play Teenage Cancer Trust gig|website=NME |access-date=17 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605030421/https://www.nme.com/news/arctic-monkeys/49515|archive-date=5 June 2011|url-status=dead}} Similar to other singles from the album, it was released on 7" and as an exclusive 10" vinyl available only in Oxfam shops. The B-sides on the 10" vinyl were "Joining the Dots", "The Afternoon's Hat" and "Don't Forget Whose Legs You're On", with just "Joining the Dots" available as a B-side on the 7" version.
Like their previous release, Favourite Worst Nightmare (2007), Humbug was released first in Japan on 19 August 2009, followed by Australia, Brazil, Ireland and Germany, on 21 August 2009. It was then released in the UK on 24 August 2009, in the US the following day and in Greece on 31 August. "I Haven't Got My Strange" was included as an iTunes bonus track, while a cover of "Red Right Hand" by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds was included as a bonus track on the Japanese release. Upon release, the album sold over 96,000 copies in its first week in the UK, topping the UK Albums Chart.{{Cite web|title=Official Charts Analysis: Arctic Monkeys' AM doubles predecessor's week-one sales|url=https://www.musicweek.com/analysis/read/official-charts-analysis-arctic-monkeys-am-doubles-predecessor-s-week-one-sales/056069#:~:text=First%20album%20Whatever%20People%20Say,two%20weeks%20at%20number%20one|access-date=12 April 2021|website=www.musicweek.com|language=en|archive-date=29 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180429150106/https://www.musicweek.com/analysis/read/official-charts-analysis-arctic-monkeys-am-doubles-predecessor-s-week-one-sales/056069#:~:text=First%20album%20Whatever%20People%20Say,two%20weeks%20at%20number%20one|url-status=live}} By September 2013, the album had sold 320,921 copies in the UK.
Arctic Monkeys embarked on the first leg of the worldwide Humbug Tour in January 2009 and went on to headline 2009's Reading and Leeds Festivals.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/mar/30/arctic-monkeys-headline-reading-leeds|title=Arctic Monkeys to headline Reading and Leeds festival 2009|work=The Guardian|date=30 March 2009|access-date=17 March 2021|archive-date=7 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007042504/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/mar/30/arctic-monkeys-headline-reading-leeds|url-status=live}}{{cite web|first=Leonie|last=Cooper|url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/arctic-monkeys-an-nme-history-of-their-reading-and-leeds-festival-appearances-772881|title=Arctic Monkeys: An NME History Of Their Reading And Leeds Festival Appearances|website=NME|date=3 February 2014|access-date=17 March 2021|archive-date=19 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719161543/https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/arctic-monkeys-an-nme-history-of-their-reading-and-leeds-festival-appearances-772881|url-status=live}} During this performance, they played a number of songs from Humbug, plus older tracks and a cover of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds' "Red Right Hand". They were also the headline act on the first night of 2009's Exit festival in Serbia.{{cite web|url=https://www.efestivals.co.uk/festivals/exit/2009|title=Exit Festival 2009|publisher=efestivals.co.uk|access-date=17 March 2021|archive-date=15 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815065618/https://www.efestivals.co.uk/festivals/exit/2009|url-status=live}} In North America, where they had less of a following, they played abridged sets at Montreal's Osheaga Festival, as well as New Jersey's All Points West Music and Arts Festival.{{cite web|first=Alex|last=Young|url=https://consequence.net/2009/03/osheaga-09-brings-coldplay-beastie-boys-and-others-to-montreal/|title=Osheaga '09 brings Coldplay, Beastie Boys, and others to Montreal|website=Consequence of Sound|date=31 March 2009|access-date=17 March 2021|archive-date=19 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719161553/https://consequence.net/2009/03/osheaga-09-brings-coldplay-beastie-boys-and-others-to-montreal/|url-status=live}} The tour finished in early 2010 in Mexico.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/arctic-monkeys-to-tour-europe-in-january-2010-5511743.html|title=Arctic Monkeys to tour Europe in January 2010|work=The Independent|date=9 December 2009|access-date=17 March 2021|archive-date=19 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719161536/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/arctic-monkeys-to-tour-europe-in-january-2010-5511743.html|url-status=live}}
Reception
{{Music ratings
| MC = 75/100{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/humbug/arctic-monkeys|title=Reviews for Humbug by Arctic Monkeys|website=Metacritic|access-date=11 March 2012|archive-date=9 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130909033151/http://www.metacritic.com/music/humbug/arctic-monkeys|url-status=live}}
| rev1 = AllMusic
| rev1Score = {{rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/humbug-mw0000826774|title=Humbug – Arctic Monkeys|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=22 February 2012|archive-date=12 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120912005727/http://www.allmusic.com/album/humbug-mw0000826774|url-status=live}}
| rev2 = The A.V. Club
| rev2Score = C+{{cite web|last=Murray|first=Noel|url=https://www.avclub.com/arctic-monkeys-humbug-1798206839|title=Arctic Monkeys: Humbug|work=The A.V. Club|date=25 August 2009|access-date=19 April 2012|archive-date=21 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110521050413/http://www.avclub.com/articles/arctic-monkeys-humbug,32070/|url-status=live}}
| rev3 = The Daily Telegraph
| rev3Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite news|last=Perry|first=Andrew|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/6056625/Arctic-Monkeys-Humbug-CD-review.html|title=Arctic Monkeys: Humbug, CD review|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London|date=21 August 2009|access-date=30 September 2016|archive-date=9 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009013832/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/6056625/Arctic-Monkeys-Humbug-CD-review.html|url-status=live}}
| rev4 = Entertainment Weekly
| rev4Score = B+{{cite magazine|last=Greenblatt|first=Leah|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2009/08/26/humbug|title=Humbug|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=26 August 2009|access-date=26 August 2009|archive-date=9 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809164246/http://www.ew.com/article/2009/08/26/humbug|url-status=live}}
| rev5 = The Guardian
| rev5Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite news|last=Petridis|first=Alexis|author-link=Alexis Petridis|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/aug/20/arctic-monkeys-humbug-cd-review|title=Arctic Monkeys: Humbug|work=The Guardian|location=London|date=20 August 2009|access-date=20 August 2009|archive-date=7 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130907224417/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/aug/20/arctic-monkeys-humbug-cd-review|url-status=live}}
| rev6 = MSN Music (Consumer Guide)
| rev6Score = B{{cite web|last=Christgau|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Christgau|url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2009-11.php|title=Consumer Guide|work=MSN Music|date=November 2009|access-date=29 June 2016|archive-date=14 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150914132050/http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2009-11.php|url-status=live}}
| rev7 = NME
| rev7Score = 7/10{{cite web|last=Haynes|first=Gavin|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/arctic-monkeys/10775|title=Album Review: Arctic Monkeys – 'Humbug'|work=NME|date=25 August 2009|access-date=25 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109021142/http://www.nme.com/reviews/arctic-monkeys/10775|archive-date=9 January 2016}}
| rev8 = Pitchfork
| rev8Score = 7.2/10{{cite web|last=Tangari|first=Joe|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/13374-humbug/|title=Arctic Monkeys: Humbug|work=Pitchfork|date=24 August 2009|access-date=24 August 2009|archive-date=27 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090827134818/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/13374-humbug/|url-status=live}}
| rev9 = Rolling Stone
| rev9Score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine|last=Sheffield|first=Rob|author-link=Rob Sheffield|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/humbug-20090824/humbug|title=Humbug|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=24 August 2009|access-date=24 August 2009|archive-date=19 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110519212733/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/humbug-20090824/humbug|url-status=dead}}
| rev10 = Spin
| rev10Score = 6/10{{cite journal|last=Fennessey|first=Sean|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xGaz0_gZPzIC&pg=PA83|title=Chimpin' Ain't Easy|journal=Spin|volume=25|issue=8|date=August 2008|access-date=19 April 2012|pages=83–84|archive-date=19 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719161553/https://books.google.com/books?id=xGaz0_gZPzIC&pg=PA83|url-status=live}}
}}
Humbug received generally positive reviews from critics, albeit less positive than its two predecessors. It received a rating of 75 out of 100 on Metacritic based on 26 critic reviews. While overall response was positive, the album was criticised by some for not containing the same hooks that the band had become known for, with Spin{{'}}s Sean Fennessey calling the album "accomplished, but not particularly infectious."
Jason Lipshutz of Billboard stated that the band "justif[ies] the hype by shifting its best qualities into different, equally dazzling shapes."{{cite magazine|last=Lipshutz|first=Jason|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/review/1070980/arctic-monkeys-humbug|title=Arctic Monkeys, "Humbug"|magazine=Billboard|access-date=14 August 2009|archive-date=25 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925235804/http://www.billboard.com/articles/review/1070980/arctic-monkeys-humbug|url-status=live}} John Mulvey of Uncut felt that "Homme's role as producer, perhaps, has been to nurture the soundscaping that was attempted on Humbug{{'}}s predecessor, and, critically, to encourage a sense of space and stealth."{{cite web|last=Mulvey|first=John|url=http://www.uncut.co.uk/arctic-monkeys/arctic-monkeys-humbug-review|title=Arctic Monkeys: 'Humbug'|work=Uncut|date=15 July 2009|access-date=22 February 2012|archive-date=2 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202204928/http://www.uncut.co.uk/arctic-monkeys/arctic-monkeys-humbug-review|url-status=live}} In his positive review of the album, Joe Tangari of Pitchfork noted that "Humbug isn't better than either of its predecessors, but it expands the group's range and makes me curious where it might go next. It also demonstrates a great deal of staying power for a band that could have imploded before it ever got this far." Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic gave Humbug a positive review. Although he found it overall wasn't as accessible as its two predecessors, he noted that the band were beginning to push their limits in regards to creativity, and composing music carefree of whether or not they were successful in America. He further noted that opinion towards the album might change retrospectively: "the record may mean more in the long-term that it does on its own."
In retrospect, Humbug has been considered a very important piece in Arctic Monkeys' catalogue, having introduced a variety of new styles and themes, both lyrically and musically, to the band, that they have expanded on since its release. It marked the first time they recorded material under Queens of the Stone Age frontman, Josh Homme's, influence. In an NME article, Mike Williams writes, "If Arctic Monkeys had never walked into the desert with Josh Homme to record 'Humbug' in 2009, they could never have made 'AM'. 'Humbug' was as much about subverting people's impressions of who the band were as it was an album in its own right."{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/reviews-arctic-monkeys-14752|title=Arctic Monkeys – 'AM' review|last=nme|website=NME|language=en-US|access-date=19 September 2019|archive-date=13 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190813075207/https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/reviews-arctic-monkeys-14752|url-status=live}} In 2011, Turner said Humbug "is as important, if not more so [compared to the first two records], on our journey of getting to where we are right now."{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2011/05/arctic-monkeys-qa|title=Q&A: Alex Turner of the Arctic Monkeys|last=Spitz|first=Marc|date=24 May 2011|magazine=Vanity Fair|language=en-US|access-date=18 May 2023|archive-date=8 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220708022633/https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2011/05/arctic-monkeys-qa|url-status=live}} Nevertheless, Humbug remains the band's most polarising album. Both NME and Consequence of Sound ranked Humbug the band's weakest release thus far in 2015 and 2018, respectively. While both acknowledged the album's position in the band's discography, NME nevertheless stated: "in retrospect, it feels more like an important bridge between the youthful vim of old and the meatier material that would come than a destination."{{cite web |last1=Wright |first1=Lisa |title=Arctic Monkeys' five albums so far – ranked in order of greatness |url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/arctic-monkeys-five-albums-so-far-ranked-in-order-of-greatness-8816 |website=NME |access-date=19 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108220228/https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/arctic-monkeys-five-albums-so-far-ranked-in-order-of-greatness-8816 |archive-date=8 November 2020 |date=9 July 2015}} Meanwhile, Consequence of Sound wrote that Humbug paved the way for songwriting evolution seen in the band's follow-up efforts Suck It and See (2011) and AM.{{cite web |last1=Midkiff |first1=Sarah |title=Ranking: Every Arctic Monkeys Album from Worst to Best |url=https://consequence.net/2018/05/ranking-every-arctic-monkeys-album-from-worst-to-best/ |website=Consequence of Sound |access-date=19 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719015758/https://consequence.net/2018/05/ranking-every-arctic-monkeys-album-from-worst-to-best/ |archive-date=19 July 2021 |date=13 May 2018}} Conversely, both the Evening Standard and The Independent, in 2018 and 2019, respectively, argue that Humbug is Arctic Monkeys' greatest album,{{Cite web|first=Jacob|last=Stolworthy|date=19 August 2019|title=Why Arctic Monkeys' most divisive album is their greatest|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/arctic-monkeys-humbug-album-10-years-tracklist-a9062681.html|access-date=19 May 2021|website=The Independent|archive-date=1 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210401210054/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/arctic-monkeys-humbug-album-10-years-tracklist-a9062681.html|url-status=live}} with the former stating that the record was the band's "most accomplished collection of tracks yet, which captured the sound of a band at the peak of their creative powers."{{cite web |last1=Fletcher |first1=Harry |title=Arctic Monkeys: Ranking the band's six albums from worst to best |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/music/arctic-monkeys-ranking-the-band-s-six-albums-from-worst-to-best-a3836831.html |website=Evening Standard |access-date=19 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719022452/https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/music/arctic-monkeys-ranking-the-band-s-six-albums-from-worst-to-best-a3836831.html |archive-date=19 July 2021 |date=11 May 2018}}
Track listing
All lyrics are written by Alex Turner, all music is written by Arctic Monkeys{{Cite AV media |title=Humbug |others=Arctic Monkeys |year=2009 |type=liner notes}}
{{Track listing
| total_length = 39:15
| extra_column = Producer
| title1 = My Propeller
| extra1 = James Ford
| length1 = 3:27
| title2 = Crying Lightning
| extra2 = Josh Homme
| length2 = 3:43
| title3 = Dangerous Animals
| extra3 = Homme
| length3 = 3:30
| title4 = Secret Door
| extra4 = Ford
| length4 = 3:43
| title5 = Potion Approaching
| extra5 = Homme
| length5 = 3:32
| title6 = Fire and the Thud
| extra6 = Homme
| length6 = 3:57
| title7 = Cornerstone
| extra7 = Ford
| length7 = 3:17
| title8 = Dance Little Liar
| extra8 = Homme
| length8 = 4:43
| title9 = Pretty Visitors
| extra9 = Homme
| length9 = 3:40
| title10 = The Jeweller's Hands
| extra10 = Homme
| length10 = 5:43
}}
{{Track listing
| title11 = I Haven't Got My Strange
| length11 = 1:29
}}
{{Track listing
| title12 = Red Right Hand
| note12 = Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds cover
| writer12 = {{flatlist|
}}
| length12 = 4:19
}}
Personnel
Arctic Monkeys
- Alex Turner
- Jamie Cook
- Nick O'Malley
- Matt Helders
Additional musicians
- John Ashton – keyboards {{small|(1, 2, 7)}}, backing vocals {{small|(1, 2)}}
- Alison Mosshart – additional vocals {{small|(track 6)}}
Technical
- Joshua Homme – production {{small|(tracks 2, 3, 5, 6, 8–10)}}
- James Ford – production {{small|(tracks 1, 4, 7, 11)}}
- Alain Johannes – engineering
- Justin Smith – engineering assistance {{small|(tracks 2, 3, 5, 6, 8–10)}}
- Claudius Mittendorfer – additional engineering {{small|(tracks 2, 5)}}
- Rich Costey – mixing
- Howie Weinberg – mastering
Artwork
- Guy Aroch – cover photography, booklet photography
- Chapman Baehler – booklet photography
- Mark Bull – booklet photography
- Justin Smith – booklet photography
Charts
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+2009 weekly chart performance !scope="col"|Chart (2009) !scope="col"|Peak |
| {{album chart|Australia|2|artist=Arctic Monkeys|album=Humbug|rowheader=true|access-date=25 January 2014|refname="AUS"}} |
| {{album chart|Austria|7|artist=Arctic Monkeys|album=Humbug|rowheader=true|access-date=25 January 2014}} |
| {{album chart|Flanders|1|artist=Arctic Monkeys|album=Humbug|rowheader=true|access-date=25 January 2014}} |
| {{album chart|Wallonia|4|artist=Arctic Monkeys|album=Humbug|rowheader=true|access-date=25 January 2014}} |
| {{album chart|BillboardCanada|6|artist=Arctic Monkeys|id=279862|rowheader=true|access-date=25 January 2014}} |
| {{album chart|Denmark|4|artist=Arctic Monkeys|album=Humbug|rowheader=true|access-date=25 January 2014}} |
| {{album chart|Netherlands|2|artist=Arctic Monkeys|album=Humbug|rowheader=true|access-date=25 January 2014}} |
| {{album chart|Finland|11|artist=Arctic Monkeys|album=Humbug|rowheader=true|access-date=25 January 2014}} |
| {{album chart|France|2|artist=Arctic Monkeys|album=Humbug|rowheader=true|access-date=25 January 2014}} |
| {{album chart|Germany4|4|id=114981|artist=Arctic Monkeys|album=Humbug|rowheader=true|access-date=13 November 2021}} |
| {{album chart|Greece|17|artist=Arctic Monkeys|album=Humbug|rowheader=true|access-date=25 January 2014}} |
| {{album chart|Ireland|1|year=2009|week=35|rowheader=true|access-date=25 January 2014}} |
| {{album chart|Italy|17|artist=Arctic Monkeys|album=Humbug|rowheader=true|access-date=25 January 2014}} |
| scope="row"|Japanese Albums (Oricon){{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/378844/products/828523/1/|title=ハムバグ {{!}} アークティック・モンキーズ|trans-title=Humbug - Arctic Monkeys|language=ja|access-date=13 November 2021}}
|3 |
|---|
| scope="row"|Mexican Albums (Top 100 Mexico)
|23 |
| {{album chart|New Zealand|3|artist=Arctic Monkeys|album=Humbug|rowheader=true|access-date=25 January 2014}} |
| {{album chart|Norway|7|artist=Arctic Monkeys|album=Humbug|rowheader=true|access-date=25 January 2014}} |
| {{album chart|Poland|49|id=536|rowheader=true|access-date=25 January 2014}} |
| {{album chart|Portugal|7|artist=Arctic Monkeys|album=Humbug|rowheader=true|access-date=25 January 2014}} |
| {{album chart|Scotland|1|date=20090830|rowheader=true|access-date=13 November 2021}} |
| {{album chart|Spain|5|artist=Arctic Monkeys|album=Humbug|rowheader=true|access-date=25 January 2014}} |
| {{album chart|Sweden|12|artist=Arctic Monkeys|album=Humbug|rowheader=true|access-date=25 January 2014}} |
| {{album chart|Switzerland|7|artist=Arctic Monkeys|album=Humbug|rowheader=true|access-date=25 January 2014}} |
| {{album chart|UK2|1|artist=Arctic Monkeys|date=5 September 2009|rowheader=true|access-date=25 January 2014}} |
| {{album chart|Billboard200|15|artist=Arctic Monkeys|id=279862|rowheader=true|access-date=25 January 2014}} |
| {{album chart|BillboardIndependent|1|artist=Arctic Monkeys|id=279862|rowheader=true|access-date=25 January 2014}} |
| {{album chart|BillboardAlternative|4|artist=Arctic Monkeys|id=279862|rowheader=true|access-date=25 January 2014}} |
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Sales certifications for Humbug}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=album|award=Gold|relyear=2009|certyear=2025|artist=Arctic Monkeys|title=Humbug|access-date=20 February 2025}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=album|award=Platinum|relyear=2009|certyear=2013|certmonth=7|artist=Arctic Monkeys|title=Humbug|access-date=25 January 2014|id=9313-1053-2}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}
Release history
| class="wikitable" |
| Country
! Date !Label |
|---|
| | Japan
|19 August 2009 | rowspan="15" |Domino |
| | Australia
|rowspan="6"|21 August 2009 |
| | Austria |
| | Brazil |
| | Ireland |
| | Germany |
| | Switzerland |
| | United Kingdom
|24 August 2009 |
| | Canada
|rowspan="2"|25 August 2009 |
| | United States |
| | Finland
|rowspan="2"|26 August 2009 |
| | Sweden |
| | Italy
|28 August 2009 |
| | Greece
|rowspan="2"|31 August 2009 |
| | Turkey |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Discogs master|type=album|172482|name=Humbug}}
{{Arctic Monkeys}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Humbug (Album)}}
Category:Arctic Monkeys albums
Category:Albums produced by James Ford (musician)