Jet Get Born Release Date: October 7, 2003 Label: Elektra Rating: Andy doesn't dig rating stuff. Well, crap. We're losing another one. Australian rockers Jet only have this one major-label full-length album (there's an EP from early 2003 and an earlier full-length), but already, the difference between when they first cracked the international scene and now is apparent. Where before, they were energetic, engaging, swaggering, and alluring, they've suddenly become drunk, jaded, devil-may-care, too cool for school, and all the rest. They're undergoing a Strokes-ian evolution, not only in their suddenly-lacklustre live performance, but in their recent video for new single "Rollover DJ." But we're looking at the recording, not how they've declined as a band since said recording's release. Okay people, Jet is fucking fun. No, they aren't charting new musical waters, no they aren't sparking some revolution, no they aren't original or mind-blowing or going to change your life. Do you honestly think that's what they set out to do? Probably not. They pay homage to rock bands of yesteryear, with a 21st century spin, like a lot of bands do these days, only Jet makes it a lot more fun because they're seemingly unconcerned with all of the above-mentioned revolutionary-band schlock. This is solid and fun rock n' roll. I dare you not to shake your booty to the bounding, loud first single, "Are You Gonna Be My Girl." If you don't know it from the radio being played 600 times an hour, you probably know it from the commercial-it-was-born-to-be-in for Apple iPod. Continuing the whooping, heavy-drummed, dirty, knee-buckling, be-still-my-heart vulnerable-guy thing clear into their second single, "Cold Hard Bitch," Jet continued to be smokin' hot. They have the formula down - and that's exactly what it is. Anyone bemoaning them for not being original is off their rocker. That's not the point! Just get up and dance, dammit. There's no need to be elitist about this band at all. It's transparent - rather than taking a whole bunch of influences and mushing them together so they sound like something brand new, Jet seemed to be just taking that straight-up, good-times rock and putting it out there for the club kids to boogie to. Screeching vocals, tambourines, hand claps… it's all here. So does the whole disc read this way? Not exactly. Tucked in between these massive rock songs is a large portion of sugary ballads. Oh, what a waste of time! They aren't really bad songs or anything, but there's so many of them, they just break up the party vibe. They really should have left a few of them out. They're mostly pretty cute - "Look What You've Done" places Nic Cester's suddenly-soft and sweet voice (proving he can sing and not just yell) over top of a simple piano piece, rolling in gentle drums and guitars as the tune carries on, and then gets unapologetically Beatles-y in the middle. "Move On" has a lonely country feel with its thrumming acoustic guitar-picking and harmonicas. "Come Around Again" is similar to that track, and might as well not even be there. Then they had to go and end the whole disc with a sleeper. Argh! These slower songs, again, are pretty good in their own right, but they feel like they should be part of a different CD entirely. Most songs clock in around three minutes - just enough time to get really damn sweaty if you're on one of the fast tracks. "Take It Or Leave It" is the disc's 'on speed' track. It sounds a bit lost in its insane frenzied guitars and too-fast clapping. Some of the quick songs also sound a lot like one another, but they still have a ridiculous way of making your hips swivel. So put on your dancing shoes and have at it - it's fun if you can uncross your arms for a moment and let it sink in, you hipsters. Just don't let it go to your head like it seems these guys have. Shame. Lyric of Choice : Not the most imaginitive lyricists on earth, but the way in which this line is sung makes it tops... Now you don't need money/ when you look like that do ya honey?. Song Of Choice : Wow, this is hard. "Lazy Gun" has a lot of redeeming qualities - kind of different with weird whiny noises (think U2's "Lemon") and an anthemic chorus, but still with those plodding drums. But I do still really like "Cold Hard Bitch" too. -Andy Scheffler Elsewhere Jet website Published : May 27, 2004.