Arctic Monkeys Vs. Amadeus Mozart

One of them is 250 years old today - and the other, in 2006, is basically one: in the battle of the bands, who would win, Arctic Monkeys or Amadeus Mozart?

Well, Mozart is a universal genius, and we all love him, so let's move on:

Roll over Beethoven, and tell McCartney the news - Arctic Monkeys are the best band to appear in the United Kingdom since The Smiths, maybe The Beatles. That's right folks, forget Oasis, Blur, Radiohead, Coldplay, Franz Ferdinand et al. - here come Arctic Monkeys.

As you probably know, if you are an anglophile, their mouthful-titled Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I Am Not debut album (Internet infamous) has been flying off shelves like no tomorrow - in fact, like 1994, which was the last time a debut sold so well (it was Oasis). This is not a buzz so much as a typhoon in a teapot, but one deserved.

Okay, what makes the recipe work: one part Streets-geezer-lingo; one part Beatlesque non-BBC-diction-working-class-accent; one part Smiths jangly guitar excellence; one part Nirvana stop-start energy; and generally hyper-witty-yet-down-to-the-kebab-shop-sharp lyrics. It is really good.

But will Arctic Monkeys be around in 249 years? In the meantime, don't wait to find out, get yerself a copy of the album of 2006:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4660394.stm

For a highly intelligent look at Sheffield bands contextualizing the AM, scroll down a bit here:

http://cookham.blogspot.com/

This pin-points their kitchen sink roots:

http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/a/arctic-monkeys/whatever-people-say-i-am-thats-what-im-not.shtml

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