Search - Be Your Own Pet :: Be Your Own Pet (Dig)

Enjoy it while it lasts...

Scott Bresinger | New York, USA | 06/12/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This very young band (they're like, teenagers ohmigawd) from Nashville, TE have created probably the most energetic album you'll hear all year, even if the only other you hear all year is the 1st Ramones album. The slow songs here are all fast, and even the quiet ones are noisy. Listening is like downing a strychnine-laced case of Jolt Cola in just over a half-hour, with lead evil-cheerleader Jemina Pearl coming on like Karen O's younger sister vying for even more attention (as in deficit disorder, I mean). It should also be noted that they've been given the support of Sonic Youth (the hipster Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval), touring with them and putting the album on their Ecstatic Peace label. Even better, Be Your Own Pet don't skimp on melody, either, with most every track here being a head bobbing singalong--really, this is almost a pop-punk, um, Nirvana of a record, but...



...I don't think the good times can last. If BYOP are in it for the long haul, they're going to have to alter their sound. Ladling out more of the same time after time, no matter how fun it seems, can lead to boredom, as the Ramones themselves learned. After a rip-snorting debut, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs put out a finely-crafted and solid follow-up ("Show Your Bones"), but of course they sacrificed their urgency. I can't help to notice that the road BYOP are on leads straight to Suck City. As thrilling as this debut is, it's also a shallow pool--great for some immediate fun, but what else can they do? They're going to have teach their Own Pet some new tricks if they want to keep people's attention.



This particular album, though, is still a helluva ride. With tossed-off song titles like "Bunk Trunk Skunk," "Fill My Pill" and of course, "Fuuuuuun," this is a great party for sociopaths. Jemina Pearl can curse like a sailor while still sounding the punk rock girl next door. They even have a piss-take of a song called "Stairway To Heaven" that'll have Page 'n' Plant grabbing their geritol and diving for cover. Needless to say, it's an original.



Like all parties, though, it has to end, usually sooner than later. Like a joyride down a one-way street, it's thrills galore--just watch out for that dead end..."

Amazing, simply amazing.

Brendan Little | Kansas City, MO USA | 08/16/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is refreshing. I't like stepping outside, except there are no factories, cars, people, houses, tall buildings, nothing. Just air. This is great. I read an ad in Best Buy for this cd and i checked out some previews of their songs. Wow, i was left speachless. I don't know what it is, maybe it's the Karen-O sound alike (I love the yeah yeah yeahs), but this is great. She doesn't sound too much like Karen O to where if you don't like that you'd hate this. This is great, WAAAY up beat and high energy music. A lot of people in the music industry seem to have no energy or feeling. These kids have tons of energy and feelings for what they do. It's great to hear and will fill you with energy as well."

Very enjoyable

Bendalie | 08/08/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I just saw these guys live at Lollapalooza and they were awesome, especially the vocalist. She sang, shook, danced, bounced, screamed and ended up on the floor in a fit. It was great to see a band play with that much energy. It reminded me of early punk, can't play their instruments really well but they put everything they've got into it.



So I went out and got the album, which isn't quite the same, but it's still really great. I'd basically classify it as garage-punk, but the album is kind of its own thing.



The only problem is that they are still very young, and therefore a bit childish both lyrically and in overall presence. But if they mature a little and keep their energy, they will really be one amazing band."