ARCTIC MONKEYS:The Beatles A dame bests

At age 92, Dame Vera Lynn has beaten the Arctic Monkeys and even the Beatles to seizure the No. 1 record in Britain.The singer who 70 years ago recorded an evocative reminder of home for British soldiers fighting far away on Monday became the oldest living artist to have a No. 1 record in Britain when her album "We'll Meet Again The Very Best of Vera Lynn" took the top spot. This week's British album charts were a authentic trip down memory lane. The Beatles had 17 records in the top 100, thanks mainly to the release last week of their remastered albums. Michael Jackson had five appearances in the top 100.

Brit's superstars: the Arctic Monkeys

Only three years since their debut and the Arctic Monkeys have already endured losing a band member, headlined festivals next to the likes of Radiohead, manifested a front man side project, and received hype comparable to that which surrounded four other adolescent brit-pop rockers. Unlike the original "Fab Four," the Arctic Monkeys have struggled to gain mass popularity on this side of the Atlantic. Their success in the U.K. is a different story. Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not sold over 360,000 copies in its first week, making it the fastest selling debut in the United Kingdom ever. In 2007, they dropped the loud and fast Favorite Worst Nightmare, which was a solid album in its own right. After two years of anticipation they released Humbug on August 25, 2009.On Humbug, the Arctic Monkeys have not strayed too far from their bread and butter. The characteristic syncopated riffs and perceptive lyrics are still here in full force. That said, this album sounds very different from their previous work. Simply put, our little Monkeys are growing up. Alex Turner's lyrics have always felt as if they were coming from an old soul, now it seems as though the band's aesthetic is finally starting to match. That is not to say that the album does not rock, but it is in a bluesy way that your dad might enjoy. The band as a whole is much more focused on song structure and arrangement. When compared to their older works, there is a feeling of restraint throughout the album, trading much of their youthful energy for a more subdued, mature mood.Musically, Humbug is full of loose, rhythmic rock songs. The addition of more guitars, synths, and backing vocals give the mix an atmospheric texture. This may be a result of producers Josh Homme, from Queens of the Stone Age, and James Ford, of Simian Mobile Disco. Ford also produced for Turner's side project, The Last Shadow Puppets. The album was also recorded at Joshua Tree, California. Their D.I.Y. garage rock vibe has been replaced by lush textures and a more methodical mixing process. Turner's vocals are front and center, as they should be. His melodies in "Cornerstone" are quaint and delicate while his quick rhythmic delivery in the verses of "Secret Door" carries a hip-hop influence. Helders's drum beats are par for the course, precise and full of quick fills. The bass here plays a distinctly different role, abandoning dirty distorted tones in favor of one thick and mellow. All in all, Humbug is good, not great. It will most likely be looked back on as a transition album. It's the product of a band going through some sonic experimentation without settling into anything too comfortable. This is an important, yet somewhat awkward step. Not surprising coming from a band of adolescents turning into a band of adults that have a lot going for them. Fast forward 10 years, a couple of drug addictions, and a guitar-less album later and the Arctic Monkeys may have defined rock for a generation.

Arctic Monkeys defy cancellation rumours to headline Reading Festival

Arctic Monkeys headlined the Reading Festival tonight (August 29), despite mischievous rumours spreading around site that they were going to pull their performance.

Unknown to the band, a festival-goer spread the suggestion earlier in the day that the Sheffield group would not follow up last night's Leeds Festival performance, but at no stage were they given any official confirmation of a possible cancellation by organisers.

Proving it was just a rumour, the band took to the Main Stage promptly in front of a massive crowd, playing a set that blended songs from new album 'Humbug' with older material.

Kicking off with 'Humbug' opener 'My Propeller', the band battled low sound levels that had dogged the stage all day. However, they played on undeterred, launching into former UK Number One single 'I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor'.

Following 'Pretty Visitors' and 'This House Is A Circus', 2006 UK chart-topper 'When The Sun Goes Down' in particular proved a hit with the crowd.

"We're going to take things down for a bit, Reading," frontman Alex Turner informed the audience, ahead of a trilogy of 'Cornerstone', 'Only Ones Who Know' and 'Do Me A Favour'. "Are you excited?"

Ending their main set with 'Fluorescent Adolescent', the band returned to the stage to wrap things up with 'Secret Door' and '505'.

"Thank you very much for having us, Reading, enjoy the rest of your festival," Turner told the crowd. "You're an exceptional bunch!"

Arctic Monkeys played:

'My Propeller''Red Right Hand'

'Crying Lightning'

'Brianstorm''Still Take You Home'

'I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor'

'Potion Approaching''Pretty Visitors'

'This House Is A Circus'

'If You Were There, Beware'

'When The Sun Goes Down'

'Dangerous Animals'

'The View From The Afternoon'

'Cornerstone'

'Only Ones Who Know'

'Do Me A Favour'

'Fluorescent Adolescent'

'Secret Door'

'505'

Arctic Monkeys, Killers, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and more,Lollopalooza 2009 scene report

Another year, another Lolla and this time, we’ve got our man on the scene, Burhan Hamid (EW tech wizard by day, alt-fest poo-bah by night! Or at least weekend!) with a full scene message. Read his conspectus of the long-running annual indie-culture band bonanza below, now cramped to a one-0ff three-day event in Chicago. Says Burhan:
“The problem with festivals like Lollapalooza is that you have to make difficult judgment throughout the day. Important things like: do we go see Rise Against or TV on the Radio? Tool or the Yeah Yeah Yeahs? Santigold or Glasvegas? Use a Porta Potti or…I’ll let that one go. Here’s a recap of some of the bands that my buddies and I got to see on a scorching hot Saturday and even hotter Sunday at Lollapalooza in Chicago’s once beautiful Grant Park:

Arctic Monkeys are going to release new album soon

Arctic Monkeys have revealed that their forthcoming new album will be titled 'Humbug'.

The album, produced by James Ford and Queens Of The Stone Age's Josh Homme, will be released on August 24.

The weekend after the release the Sheffield band will headline the Reading And Leeds Festivals (Reading on August 29, Leeds on August 28).

The tracklisting of 'Humbug' will be:

'My Propeller'
'Crying Lightning'
'Dangerous Animals'
'Secret Door'
'Potion Approaching'
'Fire And The Thud'
'Cornerstone'
'Dance Little Liar'
'Pretty Visitors'
'The Jeweller's Hands'