Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not

Using the Internet and hijacking the dancefloor with tunes that suggested the stylistic merging of everything punk from the Clash and Jam to the Strokes and Libertines, the Arctic Monkeys signed to the hipster Domino label and released this collection, which became the fastest-selling debut album in the U.K. The group met with less fanfare in the U.S., but the band’s slices of post-punk, closely resembling the Strokes in its tersely delivered, rhythmically staggered style, grabbed critical attention and established the group as a formidable song-dominated ensemble. Their song titles indicate a cheeky intellect. “I Bet You Look Good On the Dancefloor” practically implores DJs to spin the track. “Dancing Shoes” is no disco cut, but another fangs-first punk attack. “You Probably Couldn’t See for the Lights But You Were Staring Straight At Me” ups the tempo even further. Yet despite all the obvious personality their attack is clearly that of a quartet working together for full effect.