Andrew
W.K.- The Wolf
Label: Island
Records
Hit, *hit or
Miss?: Hit
Rating:
Some artists do one thing very well and
understand that it would be foolish of them to try it any other way. Bands
like AC/DC and the Ramones spent their respective careers churning out
countless scores of anthemic tunes for their respective subgenres and becoming
inspirations for the people that grew up listening to them while the uninitiated
sit back and say “Yeah, but all their songs sound the same.” Yeah, but
that’s kinda the idea, isn’t it?
And so today we have Andrew W.K., a hairy
young dude in dingy looking clothes who’s used the word “party” in more
songs than Chicago has numbered albums (Well, maybe that’s hyperbole, but
it sounds close enough). Andrew’s first album, last year’s I Get Wet,
painted the portrait of a loveable grinning idiot in a metal mood who just
wanted to get his rocks off. The time between albums found him grinning
and high-kicking his way through celebrity, whether it be hurling chairs
at the Jackass guys or duetting with Kelly Osbourne (who, all kidding aside,
he probably does believe “She Is Beautiful”) and invading an historically
Black college campus for MTV. To top it all off, he also somehow managed
to become the voice of KitKat.
All the fun of minor celebrity aside, The
Wolf finds W.K. getting back to the business of partying. And if I
Get Wet was a mission statement for himself and his band, The Wolf
is a call-to-arms for others to party as he does, as W.K. beats you over
the head with his life’s-too-short message.
Believe it or not, the music on The
Wolf has actually gotten more dramatic, with an increased attention
to keyboard flourishes and synth strings, making every moment on songs
like “Victory Strikes Again” and “The End of Our Lives” that much more
desperate-sounding. In fact, W.K.’s love letter to his fans, “Never Let
Down” is made so dramatic, it recalls the sheer pomp of Kiss’ “God Gave
Rock and Roll to You,” that cheesiest of cheesy rock-patriotism songs.
Of course, every good party’s got to have
some ladies, and W.K. is still every girl’s smitten puppy dog. He pours
his heart out on “Really in Love” but still manages to pound out the forty-four
second tribal war chant “Make Sex.”
Oh, and for those of you keeping score,
“Long Live the Party” makes W.K.’s fourth “party”-titled song.
VERDICT: Fans who liked W.K.’s first album
will be equally pleased by The Wolf, maybe more so. Those who didn’t
get it the first time will remain clueless. There really is no middle ground
with this man, and it’s reflected in the intensity of his monothematic
music. Party hard or die.
Reviews note: When I first inquired about
writing for this site, I sent Keavin two of my reviews from my college
paper. One was on Starsailor (what the HELL ever happened to those guys?)
and the other was my write-up on I Get Wet, which ended up being
my favorite disc of 2002. I guess I just figured this would be a perfect
opportunity to thank Keavin, my fellow critics, and the readers for the
chance to do what I love. The music I get isn’t always good, and if I tear
up a modern rock band, God knows the fan speak tears my ass apart (big
up to the Cold Army!), but I couldn’t imagine it any other way. Peace,
and enjoy.
CD Info and Links
Tracks: Victory Strikes Again
Long Live The Party
Tear It Up
Free Jumps
Never Let Down
Your Rules
Song, The
Make Sex
Totally Stupid
Really In Love
End Of Our Lives, The
I Love Music
Posted by Tara:
Andrew has this amazing way of making any situation good! His music is inspirational, and always leaves you wanting more...NEVER LET DOWN!
Posted by A.J:
AWK rocks, you can never be dpressed with AWK, don't like it, so what, i'm having fun
Posted by wag:
andrew W.K. effin rocks.
anyone who thinks otherwise shouldn't even be reading this.
Posted by Kimop182:
Andrew's music has helped me through the toughest parts of my life. Even if you're only so-so with his music, go to a show in a smaller venue (not a stadium). His concerts end up being more like parties where everyone is allowed up on the stage for every song and people are encouraged to throw toilet paper streamers, whatever they have. I hope Andrew never stops making music!
Posted by Eja:
And hey, Bradbert, you are a loser. The crappy lyrics of Good Charlotte? Get a f--ing life. If it makes you tap your foot and smile, what is the big deal? You might live longer if you stop trying so hard. Good Charlotte write good tunes, so what? So now can I post my message antimusic.com? I put the dash marks where the u and c should be. Real sincere. Censorship rules here in Nazi Germany. Yeah!!!
Posted by Eja:
Andrew W.K. is my total soulmate. His music is so simple it's deep, so if you don't get it...
Screw, as Dunbar would say.
Posted by screeching weasel:
Andrew W.K. sucks balls!!!
Posted by RobertDeNitro:
Hey, I'm the biggest AWK fan in Hungary, and just wanna say, this band ROCKS!
Posted by ouzo:
1 word, AWESOME.
Posted by Eric Melvin:
WOW!!! From the very fist song i was hooked. With their uplifting, high energy sound and lyrics like "Do you care what you are, where's your pride." I can't help but want to get up and go crazy.
Posted by Eric Melvin:
WOW!!! From the very fist song i was hooked. With their uplifting, high energy sound and lyrics like "Do you care what you are, where's your pride." I can't help but want to get up and go crazy.
Posted by stan:
pure brilliance just as good as I GET WET if not better a must buy
Posted by Murdock Solo:
YOU ARE IN BIG TROUBLE, "A,W.K." I-WROTE-THE-WOLF-FIRST-&-BETTER.
Just because you released your's first, does-NOT mean that you can sew me, AT ALL.
When you hear the REAL-ANTHEM that even PRETTY-GIRLS & THE-CLEAN can enjoy as well as the DIRT-COMMUNITIES, don't come crying to me for MONEY-YOU-DON'T-DESERVE
GraveGravy-at-yahoo.com
Posted by Andrea WK. . .:
AWK music is absolutely amazing, so powerful and full of life! Every song off any of his cds is f***ing amazing! Peace, love and PARTY HARD!
Posted by angel:
he's a great artist ..and the best part is he just doesn't give a f**k about his apperence and what others think of him
Posted by crazy Kracker:
AWK F**KIN ROCKS HIS BEST SONG IS PARTY
Posted by crazy Kracker:
AWK F**KIN ROCKS HIS BEST SONG IS PARTY
Posted by hey you!:
man eagles sure talks a lot but yeah Andrew Wk Rocks. He is so damn hot! And he is so damn talented. Keep on rocking man!
Posted by Bradbert:
He's a guilty pleasure. As much as I tease others for liking the crappy lyrics of The Used or Good Charlotte, I enjoy Andrew W.K. quite a bit. Maybe it's because it seems A.W.K.'s cheesey lyrics are actually intentional...
Posted by AWKSlaMMeR KIDD:
ANDREW W.K IS MY SAVIOR! HE CHANGED MY LIFE AND DESERVES SO MUCH MORE NOTICE THAN ANY ONE ELSE!
!~PARTY HARD~!
Posted by Ross from Scotland:
Never Let Down is my favourite song on the album. This guy should be massive!!! To think we live in a time when J-Lo and Britney are the worlds top stars and we have a guy like Andrew who is nowhere near as successful as they are. Its a bloody disgrace.
Posted by Christina:
Andrew W K rocks and at the concert he had a week ago he stayed outside in the cold from 10pm to 2pm for his fans! Andrew I love you!
Posted by Tamira:
I think that not only guys like his music but girls also like his music five of my friends including me love to listen to his Music and i THINK EVERYONE SOULD LISTEN TO HIS MUSIC...
Posted by Elliot:
AWK (both the music and the man) are an inspiration to me. I mean come on, this is a man whose entire life is one continuous party. I wish I could like be his roadie or something for a few weeks, just to live the party life.
Posted by Max_Payne:
cool , finally at last the channel rigth here in Mexico called Telehit put´s his new video Never Let Down , what a nice song , she makes me cry , keep on going on the road hi way Andrew WK .
Posted by poof:
this cd is awesome it is one of the bests and if you dont think so go to hell!!!
Posted by Scobey:
I think AWK is an artist that needs to be praised. how many bands out there have a keyboard so loudly heard. and from a college student that loves to party, his music has no equal.
Posted by xxxcoldxxx:
I must not get AWK because personally I think that he is a major step down in the music industry
Posted by Rich:
The Wolf is an awesome achievement, a towering feel good monument to the majesty of ROCK!
Posted by rusty:
so many people think that awk is simple and mindless, but i think this man has more talent for capturing emotion than anyone else around today. his music is very powerful and i think most people who don't like it just don't get it.
Posted by Aaron:
WK is kick ass. His message is pure energy in every song, and what the hell is wrong with that. Lots of artists forget that music can be fun, and WK has know it all along. Just take it for what it is and have fun with it, cuz that is what its supposed to be.
Posted by pete:
i think anwer wk is the best singer in the world. I got his first cd at the start of 2003 and just got his second one and have to say that both r really really good. ther is not a bad song on both cds
Posted by Foster:
Excellent description of the album. "I Love Music" becomes an intensely powerful song when the album is listened to the entire way through...."I love to get through, I love to get through oh oh oh, I love music and I like to yell, in my soul, I am running, getting nearer".....sorry
Great review though.
Though...Through...."I love to get through" Okay I will stop now.
Posted by mike:
the cds are great but you have to see him live
Posted by Eagles:
When I mentioned "interlocking guitars" below I'm pretty sure on further listening that it was a guitar and a piano. It sure does suck to be stupid.
Posted by Eagles:
I Get Wet was the most energetic and upbeat CD to come out in several years, quite possibly one of the catchiest and most high energy CD's ever. It was virtually impossible for "The Wolf" to live up to that and it's not quite as good for sure. To an extent it's lost its carefree party attitude for a more self-righteous preachy tone, preaching about the virtues of a carefree party attitude. My main dissapointment about this CD is the lack of great guitar riffs like the ones in "Party Hard", "Fun Night", "She is Beautiful", etc. It's less about an unforgettable riff and more about deeper and better written songs. This album is definitely more epic and dramatic. At times it's melodramatic to the point of being corny such as in the second half of the CD, but when it works it's awesome. And the musicianship on this album is improved, with guitar solos now. There is a short moment of interlocking guitars on the song Victory Strikes Again which is an incredible musical orgasm. My favorite songs: Victory Strikes Again, Long Live the Party, Free Jumps, Your Rules, and Totally Stupid. The worst song is by far Make Sex which is only good for comedy the first time you hear it. This CD definitely has too many weak tracks though, whereas the only bad songs on "I Get Wet" were "Party Til you puke" and "Don't stop living in the red". I've rambled on for far too long now but I had a lot of thoughts on this CD as its the first new release I've been really excited about in probably around a year. Overall a good CD.
Posted by Stan:
Can't get that song "Never Let Down" out of my head. Great!
Posted by Dr Fever:
Ugh: Your comments mean nothing because you are obviously a)stereotyping b)a total douche. Your attendance is no longer required. goodbye.
Posted by VampireRyan:
I went to meet him at a record signing and there was a review in the newspaper of his live show. This guy lets his fans get on stage (and I mean ALL of them) and party and sing. He even signed the review!
Posted by Ugh:
More beer commercial and frat boy music.
Posted by Ugh:
More beer commercial and frat boy music.
Posted by muisc:
Andrew W.K. is a musical genious! This is my new favotite album. There is not one bad song on this CD. Id have to say Free Jump is the best song in the CD. Andrew W.K. also has the best live show I have ever seen. The energy he has makes you apreciate him even more.
Posted by aG:
coming from you DF that means something. So I will definitely have to check him out if he rolls through LA.
Posted by Dr Fever:
Oh, aG, I was shocked too..shocked at how bleeping good his live show is. Unreal. Unfrigginreal.
Posted by aG:
It's party music, pure and simple. I happen to like it for what it is. He doesn't pretend to be anything he's not and obviously some people like it. What was shocking was Dr Fever praising his live show. So I gotta see this for myself.
Posted by VampireRyan:
Seeing as how I met Andrew W.K. and he signed an autograph, got a picture with me, and even talked for about 5-7 minutes with him, I ain't saying anything bad about him.
Posted by Hobo:
Haha, Danny I think you've said it all for me.
