If you happen to remember my review of Arctic Monkeys debut album Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not last year, you may recall that I wasn't very nice to them. Not that I hated it, I actually thought it was decent enough and that they showed promise for the future, but good God the British press made them out to be the second coming of Jesus and simply put it griped my keester.

Favourite Worst Nightmare is Arctic Monkeys quick follow-up and I'll be the first to admit that maybe, just maybe the British press may be on to something here (their debut is still not even close to being a masterpiece however, I don't care what they say). Alex Turner is quickly becoming one of the best British songwriters of his generation. His lyrics are thoughtful, beyond clever and cheeky as all get out. Thankfully he's in on the joke that his band is seen as some sort of Messiah - which is a notion he delights in taking the piss out of. On the album opener and first single "Brainstorm" Turner is quick to dismiss their sudden celebrity knowing that the British press is a fickle fucker to say the least. "see you later, innovator!" Turner cleverly quips near the end of the track.

"Teddy Picker" is also a gas with Turner giving the left hook with the line "Who'd want to be men of the people when there's people like you!" Favourite Worst Nightmare also works more than their debut because Turner and company are starting to demonstrate that they actually have some range. The slower tempo tracks such as "Only Ones Who Know" and the stupendous "Do Me A Favor" prove that not every Monkeys track has to jagged to be effective. I must admit I wasn't excited to take Favourite Worst Nightmare on, but now that I have I'm delighted to say without a shred of irony that Arctic Monkeys are worth at least some of the myspace-crafted hyper-hype they've rendered upon themselves.