If {$Arctic Monkeys} launched a tentative retreat on {^****** It & See}, their first effort after being seduced by {$Josh Homme}, the group once again forge ahead into bold new territory on {^AM}, their fifth album. Neatly splitting the difference between the band"s two personalities -- the devotees of barbed British pop and disciples of curdled heavy rock -- {^AM} consolidates {$Arctic Monkeys} strengths, a tricky task in and of itself, but the band pushes further, incorporating unapologetic glam stomps, fuzzy guitars, and a decidedly strong rhythmic undercurrent. At times, {^AM} pulses to a distinctly danceable rhythm -- "Fireplace" percolates while "Why Do You Only Call Me When You"re High" simmers and "Knee Socks" nearly rivals {$Franz Ferdinand} in disco rock -- but this isn"t an album made for nights out; it"s a soundtrack for nights in. Too much of {$Alex Turner}"s mind is preoccupied with love gone wrong, jealousy, and general misanthropy, so even when he"s singing about a "No. 1 Party Anthem," he"s doing so with a nearly visible sneer. Such an undercurrent of cynicism makes {^AM} an ideal album to listen to under the cover of darkness, but due to the {$Arctic Monkeys}" muscular wallop and musical restlessness, it never feels like the band is wallowing in bleakness. Instead, this is vibrant, moody music that showcases a band growing ever stronger with each risk and dare they take. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi