Drops: Arctic Monkeys' 'Suck It and See'

After a massive 2006 debut that broke British sales records, the Arctic Monkeys acted like kings of the music jungle, putting out increasingly indulgent (and less popular) follow-ups.

On "Suck It and See" (Domino), the band reins in its more adventurous impulses, mixing its interests in sludgier rock with some new Morrissey-esque tendencies and the sharp, clever Britpop that made it a sensation in the first place.

"She's Thunderstorms" introduces this new balance from the start, with singer Alex Turner crooning like Morrissey, circa "You Are the Quarry," over a jangling guitar line that recalls The Smiths. Of course, that direction doesn't last long -- not even for the whole song, which twists into something spare with hand claps (thunderclaps?) and then twists back again.

On "Black Treacle," they dig even further back, infusing some T. Rex glam rock from the '70s with a bit of grandeur and Turner's wit. "Now, I'm out of place and I'm not getting any wiser," he sings, drawing out each syllable for maximum drama. "I feel like The Sundance Kid behind a synthesizer."

Turner's lyrics are actually the main focus again here, especially in the bad relationship mellow-rocker "The Hellcat Spangled Shalalala." ("I'll take the batteries out my mysticism," he sings, "and put 'em in my thinking cap.") It's a small sign the British bad boys have grown, which is a great leap forward for Arctic Monkeys.

GRADE B+

BOTTOM LINE Getting the Britpop balance right