Rocktober Album #8: Andrew W.K. – I Get Wet (2001)

Don't let the cover fool you. Andrew W.K. is actually a pretty normal, well-spoken, good-hearted guy who doesn't normally have a goatee of blood. If you ever had a chance to see his short-lived MTV2 series, Your Friend, Andrew W.K., you know that he is a genuinely nice guy who cares about his fans. Hell, he's now a motivational speaker on the college speaking circuit.

Incidentally, his father is a law professor at Michigan and is a co-author of a prominently used Property textbook. As a result, the first time I ever heard of Andrew W.K., I kid you not, was from my Wills and Trusts professor in law school.

Andrew W.K.'s full-length debut, I Get Wet, is a giant ball of bombastic energy with wall-of-sound production and songs celebrating hedonism. What make this album great, though, is that behind that wall are well-crafted pop hooks. This isn't just some hard-on blowing off steam by yelling into the mic; this is someone who is calculatingly harnessing pop sensibilities while blowing you away sonically.

If you combined mid-'70s Springsteen and Meat Loaf with Black Flag, The Ramones, The Replacements, and Motörhead, this might very well be the result.

1. It's Time to Party
As soon as the song starts, you are given a quick and forceful introduction into what the album is all about: breakneck beats, the aforementioned wall of sound, and having a good time.
2. Party Hard
The second song plays right into the first song, as indicated by the opening line, "When it's time to party, we will party hard." The logical conclusion, then, is that, in the first song, the type of partying about which he is singing is hard partying.
3. Girls Own Love
After the energy of the first two songs, this one takes it down a notch. The premise of the song is true, unless you're gay.
4. Ready to Die
This song is a bit of a departure from the otherwise good-natured feel to his songs. "When your time is at an end, then it's time to kill again." I suppose that's true.
5. Take It Off
I can't tell if this song is about getting naked, getting an STD, or both. Regardless, it's a good time. Unfortunately, it's not on Playlist.com.
6. I Love NYC
An ode to New York City (as you may have guessed by the title), this is another slower one, at least by Andrew W.K.'s standards. This one is also not on Playlist.com
7. She Is Beautiful
This is a nice little ditty about gathering enough courage to talk to a chick who is most likely out of your league.
8. Party Til You Puke
The man loves partying and loves to write songs about partying. This one serves as a formidable St. Patrick's Day anthem.
9. Fun Night
This was featured in the movie Old School, right at the beginning of Mitch-a-Palooza, and it's the perfect song for such an occasion, as it's about getting off.
10. Got To Do It
This song is more in the tradition of Andrew W.K.'s uplifting, never-give-up message, encouraging the listener to keep his/her head up and do what he/she loves. This one is also unavailable on Playlist.com
11. I Get Wet
The title track is my favorite song on the album. It's 3:23 of unabashed energy, complete with Andrew W.K.'s signature keyboards, as well as horns and soaring background vocals. I love the way the song abruptly ends, almost like an aural orgasm.
12. Don't Stop Living in the Red
What appears to be an ode to fiscal irresponsibility, this song was once featured in a Target commercial, but is not featured on Playlist.com.