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I wrote this back in September, so thought I'd share it here. I'd probably up my overall score of the album to a 7.5 from 6.5 now as over time the album has grown on me a lot:


Jet. People either like them or they don't. I guess that could be said for any band really, but this seems to apply to Jet more so. As you can no doubt see in the pitcure to the side, I have quite a nice little collection of Jet items since I discovered the band in 2004.
2009 saw the return of the Australian rockers in the form of Shaka Rock. I have to admit, I initially thought the album title sounded completely lacklustre and uninspired, but what would the music be like? I know I am in the minority when I say this, but I loved the mature step they took on 2006's Shine On album after 2003's hugely successful Get Born record. It still had some stomping rockers but it also had an emotional side to it that ran deep into a lot of songs. So would this carry on into their 3rd album?
On my first entire listen through the album, I have to admit to being fairly disappointed. I did enjoy a few of the tracks (She's A Genius) and find others strangely catchy (Beat on Repeat), so went back to these to become more familiar with them. After doing this a few times I let the album play through again. This time it was more enjoyable and it was growing on me.
So, now nine days after my copy of Shaka Rock popped through my letter box, here is my brief look at the 12 tracks that make up the album.
K.I.A. (Killed In Action) - Starts with a heavy bass riff (which sounds quite like track 3, She's A Genius) and drums in what I can only describe as clumsy. Lyrically it's not anything ground breaking, but then Jet aren't about that at all. Musically you have a bunch of "wooah wooah ahahaha" segments after several verse lines, and on the chorus you have a bunch of school kids shouting out 'K I A' alongside Nic Cester's distinct voice, which is a nice touch. 7.5 / 10
Beat On Repeat - Instantly stands out because you think it's utter shite. But then before you know what's going on you're constantly walking around for the rest of the day singing the chorus, which is what a good song should make you do. It's a little on the cheesy side in a light hearted way but so damn catchy, and is straight to the point at only 2:30 in length. Could easily be a single. 7 / 10
She's a Genius - First single take from the album and plain as day to see why because it's simply the best track out the lot. Amazingly big catchy riff, fast lively verses and heart-pounding chorus make this one of Jet's finest songs in their history. This album's Are You Gonna Be My Girl in a nutshell. 9 / 10
Black Hearts (On Fire) - Sounds very much like it could have come of the Shine On album. It has a funky edge to it throughout and is a sign of the band experimenting and developing their overall sound. Nothing special but a solid number. 6.5 / 10
Seventeen - With a piano driven opening and verses, I found it a little cringe worthy in the way it sounds. I felt that the chorus saved this song from complete obscurity. At the time of writing, it's apparently going to be a future single, but I don't see what it will do in all honesty. 6 / 10
La Di Da - Something about this track reminds me of another song or two but I can't put my finger on it. It reeks of The Beatles in more ways than one and that's why it probably stands out to me as a memorable song. The guitar work is wonderful and a thumping drum beat helps keep the song ticking over but on first listen your jaw will probably hit the floor due to Nic's singing, it's like he's doing a rap or something but after you've got used to this style, you know it works well. 8 / 10
Goodbye Hollywood - A mid paced track with delightful breaks in there with simply Nic singing and what sounds like an organ playing, although I guess it's just the keyboard. One of my favourite tracks - 8.5 / 10
Walk - I don't rate this song much at all, it's the weakest track out of the collection. There is nothing that makes it stand out and the chorus is hilarious bad with typical "yeah" moments from Jet. You have to hear it to understand. Lots of Jet songs have screams of "Yeah!" but when the chorus has a total of 24 of them, you have to laugh. 4 / 10
Times Like This - It took a long time for this one to grow on me to be fair and it's another example of being dull and lifeless only to be rescued by the chorus, which itself is only half-arsed but it manages to worm its way into your brain. 5 / 10
Let Me Out - Nothing much to say about this one. It's not bad, but it's got nothing to offer and is a very mid-pace, very middle of the road wannabe rocker. 4.5 / 10
Start The Show -After thinking the album was slipping to an awful ending, this picks up the pieces slightly. It tries too hard to be a big stadium filling rocker and it just doesn't quite pull it off sadly. 6 / 10
She Holds A Grudge - The first Jet song on an album to have lead vocals by guitarist Cameron Muncey, and he has a very sweet voice compared to Nic's gritty hard vocals. It's something of a lighters in the air track, with tender lyrics about being sorry and apologising to an unknown woman, although it could be an apology for the previous couple of crap songs. It's a beautiful track I have to admit, and one of my personal favourites. It closes the album on a solid note. 8.5 / 10
So, in conclusion, as far as 3rd albums go it's not bad. But that's about as generous as I can be with it. Get Born and Shine on are hard albums to follow in terms of popularity and success but Shaka Rock gives off the impression of a band trying to find their feet as well as a true sound of their own. 6.5 / 10