Andrew W.K., a Detroit native, was discovered playing shows at clubs in New York with only a CD player, a drum machine and a keyboard. Well, in "I Get Wet" with the help of an entire band, Andrew W.K. releases one of the most fun, rocking albums of the year. Listed as a one of the top 10 new rock performers to look out for in 2002 by rolling stone magazine (where I happened to pilfer a lot of this information, c'mon do you really think I knew all this stuff by myself?), he certainly doesn't disappoint.

Andrew W.K. shows a great range of emotion in his debut album, from "Time to Party" to "Party Hard", then to "Fun Night" and finally - my favourite song title of this year - "Party Til You Puke". Oh, and he gets romantic in "Take it Off". His music is pure '80's rock cheese, with long hair and the tight pants included. All of his songs are delivered with tongue firmly placed in cheek. It's a good thing too because you can't just get away with seriously singing lyrics like "When you die/It's time to kill again". And there's one especially obscene line which for the sakes of our younger audience members I won't recite, only to say that it involves what is known as a money shot, and it alone (as there are no swear words in any of the songs) was worthy of the "explicit lyrics" label that this album carries.

Is it great music? no. But it's fun, and it's great to have at a party when you want to pump yer fists, do the old jumpin' leg kick and generally rock out. Also, in what seems to be something of a trend, this album is pretty short with 12 songs in under 40 minutes. "I Get Wet" is comparable to Alexander Keith's beer, those who like it like it alot. And remember, "when it's time to party, we will always party hard." It gets a 10 (it would've gotten a face, but I felt like I was being too generous in my rating scheme).

Hitch_n_Ditch
10