I've actually just returned from spending 5 months in London, where I saw the Arctic Monkeys at the Astoria. NME is indeed hyping them beyond belief, and they're on the cover for i think the 3rd time this week being called "Britain's biggest band". I hate the hype, as I'm afraid of backlash. They're good, very good, in a 19 year old straight out of their garage and into your local dive kind of way. The lyrics, delivery, and general vibe of this band are all about being roughly 17-22 in Britain today. America won't understand half the lyrics, and it's too far removed from the emo/pop-punk/numetal crap that's dominating modern US rock to make much of an impact beyond indie circles and britphiles. If that means I can continue to see them in tiny venues while they play stadiums in the UK, that's fine by me.
