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August 2, 2007Arctic Monkeys' success seemed virtually instantaneous: When the English band's members were still in their teens, they were hailed as saviors of British rock before they'd even released their first album. Once they did, last year's Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not was an overnight sensation, wowing fans, winning over scores of critics, and even snagging the coveted 2006 Mercury Prize.

Formed in 2003, a year after guitarists Alex Turner and Jamie Cook received guitars as Christmas gifts, the band quickly began channeling its love of classic Britpop (The Jam, Oasis, The Smiths) into frenzied, punky guitar songs with impossibly catchy hooks. A follow-up to Whatever People Say I Am, the recent Favourite Worst Nightmare, defies any notions of a "sophomore slump," retaining the youthful energy of its predecessor while showcasing the band's improved songwriting and musicianship.