Jet - Rip it Up (Atlantic)
3/5
By: Dan Monsell
It's pretty standard to cringe when someone mentions Aussie rockers, Jet. At the beginning of this millennium, when you couldn't move for the new wave of bands all lumped under a 'movement' of commercially successful indie-rock, there appeared to be an almost unified disdain towards the band. After we all got over that song about whether you were going to be his girl or whatnot, it all felt a bit much; too self consciously retro and slightly insincere. Nobody could handle the pilot hat that the drummer was always wearing, whilst the bottom line was that they didn't seem to have the songs to warrant being so big, popular and un-progressive in their not so fresh take on the Rolling Stones.
Cut to 2007, guitars and commercial 'indie rock' music is now a mainstay in the charts, and Jet have continued onwards, somehow maintaining their place in the hearts of many around this globe. And why not? There are people out that are particularly fond of a good rock tune, penned by some good, fun loving guys such as Jet. As front man Nic Cester is happy to say, seemingly with no irony at all: "we are rock". He's even got facts to back this up - new record 'Shine On' has shipped one million copies globally. This is a big and successful "rock" band, no doubt about it. Slash has even been known to join them onstage; a fact itself pretty much making a band by definition, "rock"
Even if you did have your doubts the first time around, and perhaps would even like to turn to every one of those million people and defiantly shake your head at them - you should perhaps be careful with your judgement. Somewhere along the line, Jet got better. New single 'Rip it Up' maintains that iterant theme of stones-loving booty shakin' rock and roll, but it does it a whole lot better. There's pace in this rock attack with a killer chorus just like before, but it feels a whole lot fresher, more edgy and with a great deal more bite than they've produced prior. It may sound ridiculous to suggest, but the whole thing feels much cooler. Instead of annoying with its catchy pop perfection, it prompts the listener to revel in its rawer sound, and maybe even kick out some moves.
We're always very happy to see bands progress and hone their sound, as it well seems that Jet have done with this record. Well-done gentlemen.
Watch the video to 'Rip It Up' HERE.
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