Pros: Loud, rebellious, and not in the least bit pretentious.
Cons: Zero intelligence to the lyrics, repetitive
The Bottom Line: Looking for an album that will, if nothing else, incite you to drink? Andrew W.K. and his debut I Get Wet would like nothing better than to help out...
Although not a great musician, singer, or songwriter Andrew W.K. has stumbled upon a niche market. The Detroit-based punk/rock artist has thrown together a rather compelling argument of an album. It’s fast, no holds barred fun and not in the least bit morally redeeming.
I suppose it needs to be said first and foremost that Andrew W.K. is not by any means great music. But to be entertained by an album, one doesn’t necessarily require intellectual stimuli. Andrew W.K. isn’t intellectual, it’s hard rocking pop punk with a bit of a trailer-park rebellion that the British appreciated even before Michiganders caught on. In fact, it was only during the past few months that the biggest rock station in Detroit (WRIF) and probably Michigan for that matter caught on at all.
Andrew W.K. was born Andrew Wilkes-Krier. The Michigan-raised rocker played in Detroit bands from a young age, and eventually moved to New York to further pursue his music career at age 18. First releasing an indie EP in 2000, the young 20-something went on a year later to record the Mercury EP Party Hard. Based on the success of this EP overseas (England, precisely), Andrew W.K. put together his 2001/2002 major label debut I Get Wet.
The first America heard of him was in an Expedia.com television commercial that used his single It’s Time To Party. Those hearing that particular track wouldn’t be in the least bit surprised to find out that much of the rest of I Get Wet is very similar with three of twelve tracks actually titled using the word ‘party.’ The rest of the songs are similar in that all are fast blends of metal, rock, and pop sensibility. Nothing about the album is particularly offensive, especially to a generation raised on Fight For Your Right To Party and various other early Beastie Boys offerings.
It seems that Andrew W.K. is the perfect release at the perfect time.
Each track on I Get Wet is musically similar in both lyrics and tempo. At twelve tracks long, songs range from between 1:42 to 3:55 with most being approximately three minutes. Any one of them would have made perfect fodder for the now extinct early/mid 1990’s phenomenon Beavis and Butthead. Hell, Andrew W.K. represents what the animated slacker twosome loved…sex, drugs, and rock and roll.
The same equation is used for each track. Take a single lined chorus. Repeat. Throw in a word or two here and there and mix. Instantly infectious neo rock and roll. But, the reason I enjoy this album is for complete lack of affectation. Seriously…Andrew W.K. doesn’t take himself in the least bit serious. He knows the music on this album won’t go down in history for being classic or profound. Rather, his point is to have fun and party. And for the $7.99 I spent at Target for the disc, this album is entertaining although not particularly stimulating. But who needs mental stimulation when you’re busy with Party Til You Puke?
There’s honestly no reason to go through these tracks one-by-one. They are all very similar and I’d repeat myself over and over again much like Andrew W.K. does throughout each song. If you watch TV or listen to radio commercials, you’ve heard It’s Time To Party. The melody of Party Hard is reminiscent of 1980’s pop and KISS all in the same breath. Andrew W.K. chants let’s get a party going…party hard, party hard, party hard over and over again. Listeners never once can mistake his message.
In addition to his crystal clear messages about partying, Andrew W.K. of course talks about women. Both Girls Own Love and She Is Beautiful both are obviously about similar topics. I particularly enjoy Girls Own Love…in fact the melody reminds me of Duran Duran and more specifically Girls on Film. She Is Beautiful is a bit cliché but for god’s sake don’t try to cull some message out of the songs on I Get Wet. There isn’t one. The title of I Love NYC speaks for itself. I guess Andrew W.K. really likes New York City.
Overall, Andrew W.K. entertains me with grunts, chants, keyboards, and fresh songs. He may not be a genius, but the guy certainly knows how to have fun. Pop this one in the stereo player when you want nothing more but to stop thinking and begin yelling. I suppose in that way Andrew W.K. acts as a catharsis.
I recommend Andrew W.K.’s major label debut I Get Wet to rock fans. Definitely not fans of punk…they would surely offended by his bastardization of the genre. Pop fans may enjoy the melodies, but may not enjoy his gravely vocals and the tough beats.
Rating: 4/5 stars
Track Listing:
1. It’s Time To Party
2. Party Hard
3. Girls Own Love
4. Ready To Die
5. Take It Off
6. I Love NYC
7. She Is Beautiful
8. Party Til You Puke
9. Fun Night
10. Got to Do It
11. I Get Wet
12. Don’t Stop Living in the Red
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