For the past ten or so years I've been looking for the buzz I got when I listened to "Morning Glory" and "Definitely Maybe". This is the only album since I was about 14 that has managed to make me fall in love with music again! Thanks for re-affirming my faith in good music.
Kris, Glasgow

I first heard of Arctic Monkeys through music chat rooms I use. These were dance music chat rooms and folk on there were raving about them. 'Whatever People Say...' is perfection and I'd go as far to say it's better than Definitely Maybe as a debut album. We played it constantly last summer in Magalluf and will always be in my top 5 albums of all time - in amongst musical greats such as Pink Floyd, Oasis and Paul Weller.
Simon, Glasgow

This album can take its place in history as a true classic and work of genius. This generation have been blessed with the Arctic Monkeys. We are lucky to have them. Alex Turner is an all time great.
Jake Manchester

Without doubt the best band around next to OASIS. The lyrics in every song are pure genius. Saw them live at LCCC end of July, amazing live performers!! Love both albums and cant wait for the next one...keep up the good work lads..rock on!!
Ste - Costa Del Sol, Spain

I'm 41 (eek) and having not got nearly enough fingers and toes to count the number of overhyped 'next big things' that have failed to match the hype. I thought Arctic Monkeys would be another one but no! Sparkling album with no filler. Instant classic.
Nigel, York

When I first heard the album back in 2006 I was blown away by the maturity of the songs and lyrics for a band so young. Awesome - just awesome. - Sean Wright (the album-a-month guy)
Sean Wright, King's Lynn

Arctic Monkeys are awesome. When I first heard 'I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor' I was writing a paper for class and thought it was the best song I'd listened to in years. So, I bought this record and absolutely loved it. Every track is excellent- Alex Turner is a lyrical genius. When I listen to the album I picture each story Alex sings. Some tracks I can relate to and others not so much, but regardless, all the songs speak to somebody listening to the record. Reminiscing the good stuff from past, getting past the rough parts of life, that's what the album speaks to me. Tracks on the record that don't pertain to my life help me understand others life's and how to relate to those people. Their live show is filled with energy- I hope they return soon. The band really show a true enjoyment in their music life.
Peter, Minnesota

Appreciate what you have when you have it.. This is not only a great lyrical record, the music...bass, to rhythm, to drum, to false lead to genius lead to killer voice.... there's only one thing missing... FEAR. Nephews of the untouchables, long live the kings (ps saw the Wallbirds tonight, SUPERB)
Tim, From Heanor(Derbys) Live in Arnold(Notts)

Definitely the best album i've ever bought, you can listen to it a hundred times and never get tired of it, the lyrics are brilliant as well as the music, it really defined my music identity and taste. Arctic Monkeys is one of the most talented band at the time.
JoseFettWalker, Mexico

Excellent, Fantastic, Brilliant, Amazing, these words only just start to explain how good this album really is... Arctic Monkeys ae my favourite band and this album is what made me realise they were as good as Oasis... In my opinion this album is on a level par with Oasis "Definitely Maybe"...Legendary Lyrics,Brilliant Beats,Magic Melodys,This album is pure GENIUS, and following by another great album.
Nick, Newcastle (Northumbria University)

From the first time i heard i bet you look good on the dancefloor i literally fell in love with this band! My music taste at the time of hearing this was a bit muddled, i didnt have one band to call my own. then i heard them, this cemented them in my brain as who i want to be, who i want to listen to and who i want to have as MY band! i remeber rushing to buy this, first day of sale, missing my first class in college because i was too busying walking in circles listening to it trying to soak it in. only one word can describe how amazing i think this album is and that it "mesmerizing". now i get my monkeys fix everyday, at least one song that i can sing when im down or when i want to be even happier. ive had songs from that album which mean a lot more to me than anything ive ever heard. songs ive laughed to, songs ive related to and songs that ive just not understood until it happens. its like a orgasm for the ears.... and all other pretensious bull like that.all in all... its goooood! :)xx
Cavna, Sunny Sunny Glasgow

Amazing record. Not a week goes by when I don't play at least one song of it. It's got those moments of sentimentality without creeping into cheese, its got some of the funniest lyrics since Jarvis Cocker was at his peak and most of all, it's just full of tunes!! Cracking choice Zane (oh and your djing for Muse at Wembley was top notch too :D )
Sam, Leicester

Music died the day the Smiths broke up... the Arctic Monkeys resurrected music.
Mike, Boston

My husband dedicated Mardy Bum to me the moment he heard it, its been my ringtone since the album came out.Sadly he died in June of this year, aged 36, the ringtone remains even if he doesnt.Top album, top band and brings back great memories.
Em Milton Keynes

I've been living in Brazil for well over a year so hadn't heard of them.........well until my brother living in Sheffield sent me their album in March, and WOW, FANTASTIC!!So when I heard they where going to play here in Curitiba I wasted no time in going to see them. The line up was Hot Chip, Bjork, Artic Monkeys and the Killers. I have to tell you the Brisilian croud went crazy for them, they gave the other bands a run for their money, the sound was great, they can definitely pull it off live!
Rebecca (English Living in Brazil)

Sooooooooo addictive
Mike Darlington

Got the album went it came out and it was good, with some great songs but one of the best albums of all time??? I just can see it at this moment. To be totally honest if we are looking of the best album of this decade then surely its muse's Black Holes and Revalations, The artic's album is good, great for a debut album, just don't see it as a classic.
Paul, Edinburgh

i had always been embarassed to tell people what band i like but then the arctc monkeys came.
George, Devon

Arctic Monkeys' great feat is managing to mix traditional rock intensity, righteous indignation, and sex, with romance and compassion and poetic perceptiveness in their beautifully observed lyrics. And to somehow set it to perfect heartstopping music. This album is amazing and yet somehow seems inevitable - it had to be made. I just put it in my CD player and never took it out.
Gwen, People's Republic of Cambridge, Massachusett

The single most spine tingleing collection of songs i have ever heard. I remember my mate telling me about them as if it was yesterday. The album is an absolute classic, a debut album that bands could only dream about having.Alex Turner is an absolute lyrical genius.
Dan, Essex

The Arctics have been such an influence in my life, inspiring me after a couple of years to pick my guitar back up and start playing again. This album will be remembered as the album of our generation. Cheers lads.
Matt, Sheffield

I'm noe of those people who thinks they discovered the Wonders of the Monkeys before anyone else. I stand by my judgment, I mean "When the Sun Goes Down" Will ALWAYS be Scummy to me......downright dirty Monkeys
Abi, Kendal

At first i refused to buy this album simply to spite everyone that was going mental over how good it was. But then my brother brought it home one day and i just ahd to listen to see what everyone was going on about,a nd honestly i have never been so in shock at how good music really is. But still being stubborn i pretended i had never listened to it and didnt wnat to until a mate of mine one day sent me a couple of songs and said listen to them so i did and i feel in love with alex's voice straight away again. I am now an obbsessive fan and have literally everything they have ever released, because i am sad. But this honestly is for me a life and music changing album. Even though i prefer the 2nd album this will always be one of the best albums to have been released. And sorry for broing you with this essay.
Emma Griffiths

The first time i heard Arctic Monkeys i knew they would be one of my favourite bands ever. I bought their record, few posters and even their t-shirt. Next thing i bought was a ticket to see them live at Cardiff. Every penny i spent on them was worth it. They are a true masterpiece
Rands

i think out of all the CD's that i own, this one is definitley in the top 3 at least. i never tire of listening to it and it changed my taste in music :]
katie, widnes

Undoutably the best best album I've ever heard! First heard the album whilst spending a year out in Australia and it typifies the antics me and my friends had out there. Every time I hear any track it just reminds me of the good times! Impossible to choose a favorite for me! Genius.
Tweezer, Keighley

I remember the first time going to see the Monkeys just after the release of "Fake Tales...", getting the mick took out of of me for going to see the "Arctic rats, whoever they are", smiling quietly to myself knowing full well these guys were going to be big. A few months later I was stood in the Leadmill on a Saturday night with the same mates when the opening chords of Mardy Bum started, I've never seen a club full of people respond to a song like that, magic.
Ian, Sheffield

To sum up, this album totally restores my faith in the British music scene. This album shows that good music influence has been passed to the younger generation and produced in an original but highly respectible way! I agree that a masterpiece is indeed an masterpiece, no matter how old it is!! I truly expect my grandchildren to have this album in their collection in years to come (if they have any taste that is!!)
Rebecca, Oxford.

Fake tale seriously gives me goosebumps!!! WPSIATWIN is truly an amzin album, It was played consecutively for several months in my final year at uni and I never tired of it, I still haven't. I remember driving up to Hull to watch them and i ended up in the mosh pit, it was one of the best igs I've eva been to, only beaten by the time I saw them in Lpool this year. Definitely worth the title of Masterpiece!x
Beck, Wigan

Fantastic, by far the best record i have ever bought. that good the monkeys inspired me to learn the guitar! Red light indicates doors are secure and certain romance best tunes! all hail zane!
Jack, Manchester

Its basically my childhood scripted out and put into music, I suppose so many other working class northern lads could say the same thing.
Jason, stockport

Best Album Eve, what a choice zane! couldn't have picked better myself. love the monkeys; favourite album. Its the type of album you listen to while you do anything! and you never get tired of it. alex turner is an amazing song writer. hats off to him :)
Lisa, Belfast

This is an extraordinary album, from the first chords of Track 1 right up to the last song. I was beginning to feel disappointed at the stuff that was being released for the past few years; this album reminds me once again why I love music from the British isles. The tunes are simply infectious, and the stories that are told through the lyrics capture the imagination, simple as they may sound. Realistic and idealistic at the same time --- surreal has got a new definition! An album that will still sound good many years from now.
James, Singapore

I don't want to detract from the undoubted importance of this album or any Zane has chosen (in my time as an HMV buyer these were perennial bestsellers) but if there was ever a time and a pretext to loosen the genre strings and remind the nation there's more to music than Nirvana, Led Zep, the Arctic Monkeys and The Strokes, then this is it. Come on R1 you've set the platform. Fly the flag for other genres - airplay of full albums from Moby, Hybrid, Leftfield and The Prodigy to name but a few from my dance viewpoint. I'm sure fans of hip-hop, alternative and other genres would favour this too.That aside - top album from Arctic Monkeys, as are all of the four.
Stuart Millar, Northern Ireland

Arctic Monkeys are life, best album EVER made.
Colin, Ireland

Arctic Monkeys is the most brilliant band I've ever heard - and always will be.I'll never forget first time I heard em, just happened to turn on the tv and there they were, I don't live in the Uk so I wasn't ffected much by all that hype around em - never heard of em before. I thought they were absolute ... yeah call it whatever you like - but to me the word perfection suits well. Sound of generation - they're just amazing! Saw em first time live this summer as well - blew me head off!
Pallie from up north

Great choice of yours to play it as a masterpiece. It's the most important album since Nirvana's Nevermind.
Martin, Opole, Poland

I love this album, I remember listening to it and being like 'this is acually really good!' and I just find their musical style very interesting. It's different from a lot of other bands around. So I really like it.
Fran,Essex

Amazing album. At first i did'nt understand the massive hype about the artic monkey's...I listened to the album...it rocked...tickets to see they are golddust...Down to earth Guys...THEY ROCK
Tom Griffiths, Pembrokeshire

I loved the Arctic Monkeys from the second I heard them on radio1. I bought the album as soon as I could and must have listened to it almost everyday for a month after that. I still haven't heard an album which comes close to this one. Easily my favorate album ever. You can tell that so much feeling and life experience when into it. It's incredible. The whole world needs to own it.
Luke Guildford

This is music for the text generation!Inspired and genius.
Gareth, Cardiff

Lyrically best band eversuch a brilliant sum up of england , and brilliant tales of passion and woe
Tye Magee

Pure genius. Always liked When The Sun Goes Down but you can't appreciate Arctic Monkeys until you hear this album. They're written off by quite a few as overrated, but without exaggerating I can say that this album is a true piece of art
Liviaa, Rochdale

Arctic Monkeys, what can I say that hasnt already been said? A mate bought me this album for my birthday (pretty sure cos he wanted a copy lol) that was it I was addicted...joined their website cos I knew I would have to go and see them live, which I did in Manchester this year, they were fan****intastic, I sing "mardy bum" to my hubby when hes "got the face on" and even if hes still being mardy it makes me laugh, every song has something about it that just blows me away, I am now the proud owner of their albums and E.P's and will continue to listen to them at home and at work (pub) over and over and over and.....ummm think you get the picture...well done guys good on ya all :) x
Aimee, Leicestershire

The greatest band ever to set foot on the planet. A band which have never let us down,cant wait till december,wil beseein them at Manchester.Good Luck AM for the future
Joe, Rotherham (Sheffield)

this is the first album i ever bought!n without a doubt the best album i ever will buy. i have an obssesion witht them and this album gets played everyday...seriously!from the fast paced intro of view form the afternoon....to the truly uplifting guitar solo of a certain romance. arctic monkeys truley got me into music, esp. other sheffield bands i.e the long blonde, rev. and the makers etc.... their music really sounds better with a sheffield accent and this came accross from their live lounge preformances of amy winehouse and girls aloud....... alex turner lyrics are some of the most inspiring... as he can take an ordinary situation such as a nite out and sing about it with such passsion and excellence.....helders drumming is some of the best drumming i think the music world has seen... it really does 'Make' every single song.... i love this band sooooooooo much... and fav. worst nightmare hasnt let me down so keep goin... you are amazin!!!!!!!!!!!;-)
Noelle, Northern Ireland

The first time i heard fake tales of San Francisco was in a club watching a guy i fancied dance to it, that sums up what the whole album is about, putting day to day life into music form. Takes a genius like Alex Turner to do that, if hes still only young now, who knows what hes going to be like in years to come, I cant wait!
Caroline, London

There was a feeling that it was a special album before it even came out around music radio and press.It's absolutely spot on from start to finish
Gary, Dorset

I had about 10 of thke tracks on rough demo's from knowing about the monkeys a year or so before this album. These guys only live 5 mins away from me and i guess i can relate to the lyrics more that most as i know the places there on about and the journey in 'red light indicates doors are secure' is the same one i took home every thursday from the Leadmill. The witty Yorkshireness they use and the actual lyrics do it for me. Not only a fantastic album but also something to personally relate too.
Ben, Sheffield

The Arctics were the first band i followed religiously and theres no need to explain why this album does all the talking. Turner is a lyrical genius and i love how each song strikes a chord with a memory in my own life. And the intor to "From the ritz to the rubble" got to be the greatest intro ever!!
Matt, Swansea

superb debut every tune is excellent made me want to be in an arctic monkeys tribute band which i am (the antarctic monkeys) playing these songs live is so much fun!!
johnpaul wolverhampton

This is one of them albums that needs to be played LOUD! just so everyone else can hear it too and take in the excellence that is Arctic Monkeys. Probably one of the best debut albums ever. Still annoys me about how big they got so fast because now the tickets to see them cost loads! But damn they deserve it.The second album was a hard act to follow, nearly done it again though. All superb musicians, hasn't been a band like them in a very long time (lyrical genius, Bangin' Beats, brilliant rhythms and riffs).
Tom, Norwich

I was a student in England from I was 19 till i was 22. My first year was when Franz Ferdinand broke through, and that was one of the things that seriously got me interested in music. Before that it was all sugar pop and R&B and I hated it.At the very end of my last year, Arctic Monkeys were just starting to get their demos played. I remember Jo Whiley playing "Fake Tales..." and thinking it was fantastic. Then the hype and everything happened. I got the album when it came out and it blew me away in a way I never expected. It's defined my taste in a way. Monkeys are my very favourite band, and it will take something truly amazing to change that.
Katja, Oslo, Norway

I love this album mostly because it is a natural classic, it wasn't written with the intention of taking a place amongst the greats, for example like Kasabian made a concious attempt to 'make a classic album' during the the 'Empire' sessions, an unimportant album which is all but forgotten now. I also have a love for this album because I was born after the era of The Smiths and I imagine the hysteria of the Arctic Monkeys is similar to that of The Smiths at the time, just I can actually now say I've lived through the Monkeys hysteria and been able to see them live, but the album is flawless.
Mark, Kent

I love the Arctic Monkeys Got to be the best indie/alternative band around. Love this album and don't dislike one song on it. Excellent song writing by Alex Turner.
Craig, Sunderland

this band is honestly the best band there is at the moment and both albums are Legendary
fraser from perth scotland

I just think that album is just fucking fantastic!!! The 13 songs are just great pieces of real rock n roll!!! They came here to my country but I couldn´t go!!! What a pity!!! I heard their show on Youtube and it was great!!! Whatever People Say I Am That´s Waht I Am Not is the best album I´ve got!!!!
Luciano,Argentina

It is pretty much the shizzle. Nuff sed
Ben - Campbeltown

Before this album came out my music taste was heavily influenced by the sounds of 50 cent and The Game. However,listening to this one record has totally changed my life. It's witty lyrics and intuitive guitar tunes have made me see hip hop for what it really is.. a bag of £$&*%@. The greatest band ever by far.. Long Live Arctic Monkeys!
Axe, Leics

One word. Legendary
Ryan, Warwick

even though my music taste is predominately breaks and electronica. this is by far the best record i have ever bought.
matthew, south wales

One word- GENIUS!This is easily the best debue album.....ever!!I am 16 and this was the 1st album i bought myself and that in itself makes it special but...i cant stress how good an album it is....i would recommend 2 any1 regardless of what music they're into, its written in such a witty humourous way and the melodys and beats are brill :) i
Rhen, Derby

i'm not a huge monkeys fan, but there's songs on this album that make you feel good, it's probably more about Alex Turner's accent than the music itself, but it makes you wanna jump up and dance.
tom mancheser

My favorite band ever, some may say its too early to be called a masterpiece but you cant dispute it when you listen to Alex's lyrics, they are just pure genius.
Katy, New York

I first heard about the Arctic Monkeys when WPSIAIWIN was released and the monkeys were everywhere in the press, TV and internet... I was like "they're SO everywhere that they MUST be overrated, there's no way i'm listening to even one of their songs". Then, about a year later, i was at the record shop, saw the album and as i liked its title, i thought i'd give it a try, even if i still hadn't heard any of their songs.And i wasn't disappointed. Loved it straight away, the outro of A Certain Romance reminds me of my holidays in Spain, "When the Sun goes down" brings back nights in pub, drunk, singing out of tune with drunk friends, when i hear "Mardy Bum" i remember the guy that sang it all night when we were waiting for their concert in Italy...This album probably changed my life, in a very pleasant way !
Eve, France

Best album ever altough it isn´t became that famous in Holland. All 13 tracks are fantastic and it´s a good choice from Zane!
Frank, Netherlands

Got the album; Got the chord book; been to the gig; bought the t-shirt. 1st heard "Fake Tales" just before the BIG Coldplay X and Y launch on Zane; forget Coldplay "who the hell is this band??????" Get off the bandwagon???? I haven't been off their bandwagon since i got my copy of this monster. Without doubt my favourite album of the last few years; every one a classic.
Graham; Cambridge

brilll band and album 4 me best album i have got and probs ever have. still the only band i have ever herd to use the word cuddles in a song brillant
max, leicester

Before Arctic Monkeys I wondered if our generation would ever get a band to call their own. One listen to Fake Tales Of San Francisco later, and my faith in British guitar music was restored. This wasn't just good, it was a work of genius. Alex Turner's witty and observant lyrics were something I, and others around me could totally relate to. They just seemed real. The months leading up to the release of the album were brilliant. Clubs, bars, just about everywhere you went there was a buzz in the air about this bunch of lads from up the road in Sheffield. When "Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not" finally hit the shops it was a perfect week for music. At one point, just about all my mates had a copy. A magnificent achievemant for such a young band on their debut album. Subsequent gigs and records later, the Monkeys never fail to deliver but their debut will stay with me forever. A true classic!
Martyn, Selby

good choice zane the tuner is a lyrical legend
katie farnborough

Untouchable, pure quality. Every track is a nugget of genius, Alex Turner is the man. The intricately detailed lyrics and the energy of the music. What a brilliant idea, probably unintentional, to start the most hyped album of all time with the line "Anticipation has a habit to set you up for disapointment". This album will live forever
Fergal Kinney

BRILLIANT !!! bast band ever
Yuri, south korea

they can do no wrong musically. alex is a lyrical genius. some bands tend to find it hard to live up to a first album, but favourtie worst nightmare is just as good as the first album. All in all a fantastic band, great live.
jonathan. stonehaven

by far the best band i have heard and i never seem to get tired of there take on indie rock and will be my favorite band im surre for a long time , whatever people say was rightly named as a masterpiece by zane as it has such a diversity of tracks that you never realy get tired of hearing , alex turner is an all time great with his great lyrics taking the track to a new level , well done arctic monkeys!
tom , kent

Makes the Yorkshire accent cool again (well, for the first time ever!!) after hearing there cover of love machine, i have a fasination of wanting the arctics to cover every track ever made and put there Yorkshire twang on it. Best band ever in my head. Awesome album. There you go.
steve, Lincoln

the best band and the best sound already till now of the 20st century.
Bernard BOUVRY Munich Germany

best album ever!!!!! i love this band and even more since i saw them live at old trafford, manchester favourite song has to be mardy bum
dale, sheffield

this album to me is my uni life. when it came out i was in my first year and it would be our night out warm up. booming out down the corridors of our halls with my mates room doors open, everyone knowing every word and suddenly adopting a northern slur.the thing about this album is that at first it seems like a fairly youthful collection of anthemic tunes about living, going out, just being. an explosion of social observations...an honest album. if that isn't enough the amazing thing about alex's lyrics is that there are so many layers to his story telling. at one angle he's talking about a night out for example, then there will be one line that just hits you and gives it a clever, mature and talented spin on the whole story he is telling.they deserve all the hype and praise for this album. anyone who is part of their back slash, is just jealous that four beautifully talented young boys are riding high on the music throne. long live these kings :) x
emma, hitchin

untouchable ! turner is a genius
1984

untouchable ! This album encouraged me to play and has seriously shaped my musical landscape. Alex's lyrics are awesome and there's not a single bad song on the record. Aclassic !
mr a

Wow what can you say about this album, you can listen to it loads of times and never get sick and tired of it. Also hats off to Alex Turner for his excellent song writing!!!
Chelsie, Peterborough

Arctic Monkeys were the first band i ever fell in love with. I cant really sum up how much it means to me but i'll try - i played it none stop for a year and it is the reason i have an obsessive love of music and really started discovering it. It is the reason i started listening to evening radio, reading the music press and spending all my wages on music. Although it sounds corny, it changed my life and i will love it forever.
Emma, Scarborough