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‘Suck it & See‘ brings back the endearing immaturity preceding the notion that despite everything, Arctic Monkeys are still a gang of close friends still very much in touch with their roots. “Give me an eeny, meeny, miny, mo/Or an ip dip dog*** rock and roll” is Turner’s utterance during the blisteringly paced racket on the album’s standout track “Library Pictures”. The humourous observations are back too. On the LP’s eponymous track, we are introduced to somebody “rarer than a can of Dandelion & Burdock”, which is almost laugh out loud funny for people of a certain disposition. Life’s more simple pleasures are almost a common theme throughout the LP. “Brick By Brick” features the thrice hollered refrain “I wanna rock and roll”; the most simple of statements and one the Arctic Monkeys have used as the foundation for a good deal of their career thus far.
Despite this seeming adherence to a more tried and tested method, what really stands out here is the maturity and willingness to experiment musically. “Library Pictures” is a psychedelic wig-out, “Don’t Sit Down ‘Cause I’ve Moved Your Chair” features an almost Sabbath-like stomp coupled with lyrics that read like an ode to bad luck and opener “She’s Thunderstorms” is an angular and ominous ballad that starts proceedings nicely. Interestingly, there is an alternate version of “Piledriver Waltz” which made an appearance on Turner’s solo EP Submarine. This is perhaps proof that there are no egos allowed on board the good ship Monkey and shows a positive attitude; if there is something that can be reworked or made better, then don’t hold back. Commendations should be paid towards the group as musicians too. There is a sweet strand of diversity, subtle or otherwise, permeating the record and points towards the coming together of comfort and talent. – Sputnik Music