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Jet: Are You Gonna Be My Girl (Elektra)
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By Jamie Mackie
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Monday, 24 May 2004
If there’s one thing more annoying than a song being re-released on the back of an ad campaign then I’ve yet to find it. It’s a cynical ploy by record companies to hoover in as much cash as possible from a band, despite global interest stirred up by the advert and the fact that the majority of fans will already have the record. The target audience must either be die-hard fans who want b-sides (thus the real fans are being fleeced) or people who don’t normally buy records. A shameful exercise, although probably not the band’s fault.
Jet are Aussie rockers in the old fashioned Rolling Stones vein, all bluster and big riffs. Judging by press photos they are also hairiest 70s tribute band on the planet, particularly drummer Chris Cester who looks as if he hasn’t had a wash in about five years.
Last year’s debut album Get Born showcased a band mired in homage to the old school with the majority of songs apeing bands like The Beatles (‘Look What You’ve Done’) and the Stones (‘Move On’ was pure ‘Wild Horses’). Once you got over their sheer brass neck in releasing a record so derivative it was actually pretty good in bits, the single ‘Rollover DJ’ and ‘Lazy Gun’ in particular.
The arrogantly titled ‘Are You Gonna Be My Girl’ is the second track on Get Born and was originally released last August, before appearing on one of the Beckham Vodafone ads. It’s one of the most derivative tracks on the record and apart from the riff is essentially Iggy Pop’s ‘Lust for Life’. Strangely it actually works though, the catchy bass line and guitars clashing with Nic Cester’s strong vocals to create a rather clever slice of rock. It probably helps that you’re more than familiar with the Iggy Pop song, mind. (4/5)
Release date: 24 May 2004
Are You Gonna Be My Girl |
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