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From the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino

Arctic Monkeys

2018

Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino
Album Summary

This album has been submitted by a user and is not included in any edition of the book.

Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino is the sixth studio album by English rock band Arctic Monkeys, released on 11 May 2018 by Domino Recording Company. The album was written by frontman Alex Turner in 2016 on a Steinway Vertegrand piano in his Los Angeles home. It was produced in Los Angeles, Paris and London by frequent Arctic Monkeys collaborator James Ford and Turner, alongside a wide array of guest musicians including Tom Rowley, Loren Humphrey, James Righton, Zach Dawes, Tyler Parkford and Cam Avery. Turner designed the album artwork himself, which depicts the resort with cardboard cut-outs and a tape recorder. Its title refers to Tranquility Base, the site of the 1969 Apollo 11 Moon landing. Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino is a major departure from the band's previous guitar-heavy work, being considered less accessible than its internationally successful predecessor, AM (2013). It features a rich sound that embodies psychedelic pop, lounge pop, space pop, and glam rock, as well as elements of jazz. It also draws influence from soul, progressive rock, funk, French pop and film soundtracks of the 1960s. Instrumentally, it incorporates vintage synthesisers and keyboards, including organs, pianos, harpsichords and the dolceola, as well as the Orchestron, Farfisa and RMI Rocksichord. Baritone and lap steel guitars are introduced by the band on multiple tracks, in addition to the electric and acoustic guitars typically used by the band, as well as a variety of percussion instruments, including rotary timpani and vibraphones. Its lyrical content draws heavily from science fiction and film, exploring consumerism, politics, religion and technology through the concept of a luxury resort on the Moon told from the perspective of various characters, such as the singer in the in-house band on "Star Treatment" or the hotel's receptionist on the title track. Despite its stylistic deviation polarising listeners, Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino was released to generally positive reviews and was named the best album of 2018 by Q magazine. It was nominated for the 2018 Mercury Prize and the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album. The single "Four Out of Five" was nominated for Best Rock Performance. It became the band's sixth consecutive number-one debut in the UK, the country's fastest-selling vinyl record in 25 years, and the band's third top 10 album in the US. It also topped the charts in Australia, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Greece, Portugal, Scotland and Switzerland.

Wikipedia

Rating

3.09

Votes

75
Genres
Rock
Indie

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Reviews

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Thu Nov 02 2023
5

Used to have this on repeat. I remember reading about how a lot of people didn't like this AM album, but I think it's great. It was just a taste of the direction they were headed. Kind of heartbreaking scifi vocals, fun little space "opera" in a sense.

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Sat Jan 13 2024
5

I unapologetically adore Arctic Monkeys, and TBH&C has only intensified this affection. Daring to create a concept album that completely transforms their well-known style—especially after having one of the most successful rock LPs in recent times—is a bold move. And for me, it works brilliantly. The ever-evolving Arctic Monkeys are truly one of the greatest bands of our time, and TBH&C is a testament to that. Unheard of.

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Sun Nov 26 2023
4

When I spent time with this album after it came out i remember liking, not loving it. I can't put a finger on why this is the case, but I loved it on this re-listen. I would have given it 5 stars, but i went with 4 stars out of 5 because I don't know if it could be better than a taqueria on the moon.

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Mon Jan 15 2024
4

I didn't expect to enjoy this so much, but I was almost instantly charmed by the mood of this album. Very different from their earlier output, which I'm somewhat more familiar with. I'd say this is a mature record, and I mean that as a compliment. It's not to say it isn't fun and playful - more that it has a refined production style and compelling arrangements. A pleasant surprise that makes me reconsider this band and their talents.

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Thu Feb 15 2024
4

Well, so far I'm two for two on the user submitted albums. Another good one. I've always liked the Arctic Monkeys, but never delved too far into their catalog beyond their first album, so happy to have the opportunity to listen to this. It's mellow, but really nice and interesting. Strangely evocative of David Bowie at times. Will listen again. 4 stars.

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Mon Feb 19 2024
4

I think the space lounge thing is pretty cool, even if it wears a bit thin by the end of the album. 7/10

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Wed Feb 21 2024
4

Channeling Bowie and T Rex really hard. Sounds like a fuzzy outer space lounge act. Just a Iittle too samey by the end to earn a full five from me

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Thu Feb 29 2024
4

My only TBHC regret is that I liked it right away and the project isn't a great grower from there. The album does a lot of character work, though it's hardly a solo effort with the band's characteristic turn at three-quarters. The listed experiences are out there and familiar enough to feel by turns, and this time out there is literal space.

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Thu Jan 11 2024
3

This was better than expected, and Four out of Five is a nice crowd pleaser.

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Mon Jan 15 2024
3

A bit more sophisticated than most Arctic Monkeys I've heard. Star Treatment was surprisingly funky and had some interesting musical changes. I remember hearing Four Out of Five before. Overall it's a pretty good album, but for some reason it doesn't quite jive with me a ton. I think it's the vocal style, it just isn't my thing. Very close to a 4* though.

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Fri Feb 09 2024
3

Not bad. Not great either. Perhaps I'm missing something which would rank this among the more brilliant efforts from Artctic Monkeys, but I basically hear one single song of 40 minutes and 57 seconds.

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Thu Feb 15 2024
3

Yeah, I don't get this addition unfortunately, I think Arctic Monkey's work was best summed up by their debut.

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Mon Feb 19 2024
3

6/10. Was pretty good, but not super memorable. Maybe it's something that would grow on me. I liked "The Worlds First Ever Monster Truck Front-Flip".

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Wed Feb 21 2024
3

I can get behind some Arctic Monkeys

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Thu Feb 22 2024
3

Not a bad record, but AM or Favourite Worst Nightmare should be way ahead, as they are not in the list

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Wed Mar 13 2024
3

A band I just have not been able to get into. The lyrics are a little too clever (sometimes at the expense of metrical rationality) and too trending into "the woes of being a great big star" territory. While this neo-lounge music is a departure from what else I've heard it still didn't do a whole lot for me.

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Sun Sep 03 2023
2

lol who chooses an Arctic Monkeys album when there’s already one in the official list? It’s ok, I mean they’re not a bad band. But this was your chance to show me something I’d never heard before, and instead you chose one of the most popular rock bands of the last 20 years. And from their “ageing coke fiend” period, by the sounds of things. Minimal guitars, all jazzy arrangements, self-indulgent, arrogant and drawn out. Definitely the worst AM album I know of. Ah well. 2/5.

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Thu Feb 15 2024
2

I remember listening this album when it came out. I don't really like this 'crooner'-version of Arctic Monkeys. And now, at the re-listen, it didn't change that much.

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Thu Feb 15 2024
2

I kept feeling like this was about to click for me, but unfortunately Alex Turner makes a pretty inferior Bowie no matter how hard he tries.

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Sat Mar 02 2024
2

... or when Arctic Monkeys went from being the best hope for classic rock, surpassing themselves with each album, to become a bland and uninspired group, trying to fulfill Alex Turner's goal of becoming a young crooner...

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Fri Apr 05 2024
2

I remember being disappointed with this one after a few skims on release, and while I have a deeper appreciation for the artistry on a re-listen, it still just doesn't sit right in the Monkeys' catalog for me. Following the massive success of the swaggering rock revival of 'AM,' this LP takes such a sudden left turn into crooner territory that you'd be forgiven for thinking this is a different Alex Turner project entirely. It's not that it's poorly done – the production is smooth and clean, and the instrumentals are perfectly executed. It's more so the stunning lack of the characteristic swagger, snarl, and cocksure attitude that's ever-present throughout Arctic Monkeys catalog, the band seemingly aged overnight and now singing to fellow geriatrics at the nursing home. Artists are allowed (and encouraged in my book!) to take big leaps and departures from their characteristic sound, but this changeover hits so poorly that it still leaves a bitter taste in my mouth today.

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Wed May 01 2024
2

It was just kind of there. I didn't really get into it. The songs could have been edited down.

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