Thursday, December 31, 2009

Mean Jeans - Are You Serious? (Dirtnap, 2009)


Mean Jeans
Are You Serious?
Dirtnap
2009

Rating: 7.5 vomit buckets out of 10

I've been saying for years I need more poppy party punk in my life, and lo and behold along comes Mean Jeans. I mean sure, I could have listened to this when it first came out in May of 2009, but where is the fun in that? Instead, I wait until March 2011 and then kick myself for missing out on this for nearly two years. Obviously, kicking myself is the best part, as it's both awkward and painful.

Anyways, so these Portland kids like to write songs about partying, wearing mean jeans (which seem to be an actual item along with the band's name), doing drugs, and more partying. You could call them Ramones rip-offs, but...well, actually you'd be right. But the songs are so damn catchy and fun and simple and who gives a shit if the singer sounds like Joey and all the songs are short three chord pop punk. Music ain't always gotta be challenging and ground breaking...sometimes it just needs to be a good time.

The King Khan & BBQ Show - Invisible Girl (In The Red, 2009)


The King Khan & BBQ Show
Invisible Girl
In The Red
2009

Rating:
6 Canadian turbans out of 10

As much as I love King Khan, BBQ, and the King Khan & BBQ Show, this is not their best effort. And I think I blame King Khan mostly - his barely contained insanity seems to completely overwhelm most of the songs outside of "I'll Be Loving You". Either that or there just aren't enough songs where BBQ is allowed to let his outstanding voice shine. Still, even a mediocre album by this duo is worth checking out. "Lonely Boy" is a nice butt-shakin' rocker and "Animal Party" is a goof but pretty fun; but I'm perfectly fine with never hearing "Tastebuds" again...I'm no prude but a song about taste buds on your penis is just...gross.