Album Review: Be your own pet: Get Awkward
In my late twenties I shouldn’t be listening to something that is meant for “scene” kids 10 years younger than me. But rules are meant to be broken.
I got addicted to the greatness that is Be Your Own Pet when I saw them play on Conan one random night. From there I got their self title album and many of their songs from it have been a mainstay in my ipod/itunes playlist for over the course of two years.
From the album the song “Bunk Skunk Trunk” comes to mind with the opening lyric by lead singer Jemina Pearl:
“I’m an independent motherfucker
And I’m here to take your money
I’m wicked, rad, and I’m here
To steal away your virginity “
It has stayed in my facebook favourite quotes box ever since.
The rest of that album has served a soundtrack for many drunken nights out. After listening to it over and over again, I saw them live at Mohawk Place in September of 2006. The crowd was your usual show up late, “I’m too cool for buffalo” scenester crowd. I wasn’t the oldest guy there, but I was probably the most enthusiastic. I fondly remember getting squirted by mustard from the band at the end of their energetic set. After the show I thanked the singer Ms Pearl and her drummer (who had replaced Jonas). I told her I supported the band and got all of their EPs and even a shirt. (Which surprisingly fits my fat ass, considering most band shirts are made for AIDS patients)
That shirt got me laid twice, but thats beside the point. When I learned this summer that they were recording a follow up called “Get Awkward”, I patiently waited for the day it would be leaked online the release date.
I got it a month ago and I’ve been listening to it ever since. (Of course I do plan on buying the album to support the artist. ;) ) While not as epic as the first album, Get Awkward beats the Sophomore Slump.
Jemima and her band mates sound a bit mature and a little more confident versus a few years ago. While some fans bemoan this, I prefer an evolution of their style rather than the exact same album. Still they are considered kids, but to me their music has more of an edge.
On the surface, a great song like “Becky” (which is nearing the top of my last.fm list) may sound juvenile, but the lyrical work is clever. It almost sounds like a murderous version of the “localmotion”.
“What does it matter anyway, cause I’m gonna find a new best friend OK. Me and her, will kick your ass, we’ll wait with knifes after class!”
From those lyrics in the chorus it is arguably the best song on the album.
Another song, “The Kelly Affair”, is a tale about wanton sex and drugs consumption in seedy Los Angeles. If the song it self wasn’t so freaky, the video is even creepier!
The rest of the album, however isn’t that spectacular as the first…but its not bad either. If you are new to BYOP I strongly suggest you listen to their first album a few times and THEN listen to Get Awkward.
Don’t shoot me, this is my first music review. I’m sorry if it doesn’t sound pretentious like the dreck on pitchfork
edit: 3.23.08
It has come to my attention Universal took out 3 songs in the US release because they deemed it “too violent”. (Which is hilarious because the SAME label releases a shit load of “violent” rap music). One of those songs are “Becky” which i’m extremely disappointed and frankly I think this is fucking bullshit. I urge all BYOP fans to boycott the American release and support the band by buying the UK version (that has ALL of the tracks).
This is just yet another reason why supporting the RIAA is supporting their evil practices such as censorship.
