Andrew WK Music

TODAY is the release of Andrew W.K.’s new EP. It is the first EP in 10 years and it rAWKs!

—MY REVIEW—

I’ve had the opportunity to listen to this more than a few times now. At least once on my home stereo system and once on my headphones (I think they bring out different things). The overall style of this EP has definitely shifted from other releases towards more of the club dance music of 2011. There is nothing wrong with that, since the Party Til You Puke EP was club dance music of 2001. And it was great! However, it’s very different from IGW’s and The Wolf’s “METAL” (which has classical music elements in it). There really isn’t much “metal” to hear at all except for the thrasher break down in head bang–which rules. However, I can still occasionally hear the classical music progression I love in AWK’s music… so that makes me happy.

I think most people are yearning for a repeat of either I Get Wet or The Wolf when anything is released by Andrew W.K.. I too would be more than happy to get that, however I think that changing your style as a musician makes complete sense and isn’t necessarily a bad thing. As I’ve listened to the quality of music and production level upon each Japan release increase, I think this NEW direction will not disappoint. Also I think it has the potential of surpassing anything  that the Close Calls With Brick Walls album offered. But we’re not talking about new albums, were talking about this EP. Back to that.

The change in the “husky” vocals from The Wolf to Close Calls With Brick Walls is all the more present in this EP. You will now look back at Close Calls and think “dang! his vocals were so much more husky then”. Sometimes I felt like I was straining to hear the lyrics or to hear the vocals at all, but even worse it sometimes felt like it was physically hurting my ears to listen to it! The naturally soft or deep tones the human voice have are somehow removed and all that’s left is a raspy and harsh voice. However, I think it’s a definite improvement from any of the other releases from Japan—vocal wise. In fact, since this EP has the same styling of other Japan releases, I think it’s fair to compare them. I think that this EP has improved in every way relative to what he’s released previously in Japan. AWESOME!

1) Party All Goddamn Night
This is a great song and has some awesome elements within it. The only thing that bothers me a little bit about it, is its structure. I still don’t know which is which between the chorus and verse of the song. It just kinda seems scattered all over the place–and I have no idea what’s coming next. Overall, cool song. I like the vocoder elements used, reminiscent of I Get Wet.

2) Everybody’s Raging
This song is sick!!! “When it’s time to rage we will rage rage rage” brought a smile to my face. The bridge’s (or whatever you call it) bounce beat was interesting. Unique for AWK I must say. “Raging” is kinda a hokey word, but who’s taking this music THAT seriously? Honestly people, “raging” fits well in AWK’s music. I’m sure we’ll see this one make the “Raucus” album since the themes fit together almost too well.

3) I Sold My Soul
EASILY my favorite song on the EP. Awesome arrangement and structure to the song. Knowing the background, you can definitely tell this one comes from the heart. Wish I could turn up the piano just before the ending!!! AWESOME!!!! I can’t stop listening to this song on repeat. I’m obsessed!

4) Head Bang
Wow, pretty different, not only from the three previous songs but also from anything else he’s done. However, it kind of reminds me of one of the “OK” songs on CCWBW. The lyrics were hilarious but the 2nd half (the thrasher part) was the best part of the song. Heavy = awesome. Just an OK song in my opinion.

5) I’m A Vagabond

See my review of Mother of Mankind

6) “We’re All Women”
LOVED, this updated version. It turned a song that I didn’t really care about into one of my favorite songs on the EP! Not only was it a welcomed change of pace on the EP, but I also wouldn’t mind if an entire album sounded like this!  But I know many probably disagree and want a rock n roll album. This is what the update to Vagabond should have been like on MOM. If you didn’t know, Andrew recorded this track with Peter Yanowitz at the 2007 Hanson Fools Banquet. A “demo” version can be found in the B-side section. What a contrast!

7) I Was Born To Love You
This E-Single has been available for awhile now, I’ve talked it about it other places. See my article about The Top 10 Andrew W.K. Songs You Never Knew Existed–it made that list.

Andrew has stated that he’s recording a new “Rock n’ Roll” album, if the songs are similar or the same as these I think a better description would be he’s recording a “dance” album. I don’t necessarily think “Rock n’ Roll” as I’m listening to these. However, this could be what Party Til You Puke was to I Get Wet??? only time will tell. Overall I’m happy with this EP, I approve.

Overall = 9/10

However, I have to add that “I Sold My Soul” and “We’re All Women” = 10/10

—I Will Not Be Archiving This EP Anytime Soon—

I’ve previously written up my thoughts in a blog post on the importance of ownership of property. There, I described the irony between this site and the type of visitors who frequent this site. What I’ve discovered is  that the people who regularly return to this site are also the people who collect Andrew W.K. merchandise. Meaning, most of the people who are interested in downloading free content are the same people who are making purchases. Weird right? Please read that blog post for further explanation.

Awhile back I decided not to archive full length albums here. I don’t really know exactly why I made that decision but there was some wisdom in it. Perhaps it was my way of saying: “Hey, support this artist!!” –despite the billion downloads that you can find. I’ve recently read an EXCELLENT article about the analysis of sales in the music industry; entitled “The Real DEATH Of The Music Industry“.  There they have charts like the following:

It clearly shows that most revenue for an artist comes from LP sales. I think subconsciously I knew this before I even read the article and that’s why I chose not to archive the full length albums. Unfortunately for artists, LP sales have been in a serious decline since the early 2000′s:

I don’t really see this decline turning around anytime soon either. What this chart doesn’t show is the revenue from touring. I think eventually a touring artist will become more and more like a sporting event. Yea, you can watch the game for free on TV but there is a reason why people pay premium prices to sit at the stadium. Going to a venue, being around people who have the same common interest and feeling the energy of a live band is just something you can’t get from a free/cheap downloaded copy of music. A show can be something worth laying down serious cash for (just look at athletes salaries). I think that’s where the money will be for artists in the future, so it would be wise to design an entertaining show. Luckily for Andrew W.K. he already puts on the most entertaining show I’ve ever been to.

So the reason why I’ve chosen to not archive this EP right away and why I have archived others, is that it almost seems too close to an LP to me and it’s too new. I suspect that a lot of the money to be made in LP’s or EP’s are around the date of release. I think you will benefit greatly by owning a copy of it (as explained in my previous blog post). So, just because this site offers many free downloads does not mean I don’t believe in supporting Andrew W.K.. Go buy the EP!!!! —> YesAsia Or CDJapan

Here is what your carpet will look like before and after you download stuff vs when you start making purchases:

Before                                                                After

10. McGlaughin Groove

Is a play on words for “McGlaughin Group”, a 1/2 hour TV program broad-casted in the United States. The lyrics of the song are based on actual off-hand comments made by the commentators of the show. It’s completely nonsensical, which makes for perfect content of an AWK song!

9. Party Party Party

Created for the Aqua Teen Hunger Force TV show. This humorous parody of the familiar “Party” theme associated with AWK is highlighted in its lyrics “O Party Party Party, party’s make me farty, I gotta take an antacid, so I can keep on party”. After the first couple of listens it’s pretty catchy! Gotta love the Bach-esque piano outro.

8. Hearing What I Said

This one slid under the radar due to Cartoon Network pulling the plug on the correlating music video from YouTube just a day after it was posted. This was probably PR damage control due to the out-cry from CN network fans against CN’s new “CNREAL” programming change. I could careless about CN. But hey! us AWK fans got a music video and a song out of it, right?! The song is actually a rendition of “Not Going To Bed” from the CCWBW album.

7. I Was Born To Love You

If you haven’t heard of this one it’s because it’s brand-new! The new E-Single from Japan is a cover of the Freddie Mercury’s song of the same name. It’s Andrew’s latest release in a marketing blitz to build up to his upcoming EP (March 30th) and LP (sometime later this year… hopefully). Andrew really belts it out in this one “An Amazing Feeling, Coming Through”!!!!

6.  It Just Got Hotter

This was created in 2007 as the theme song for the Arizona hockey team “Sun Dogs”. It’s a rendition of “Fun Night” from the I Get Wet album. Though it was primarily released from the official AWK website, what many people don’t know is that there was an actual promo CD released for it as well. It also included the track “You Will Remember Tonight” on it. I love the way the song ends in this version “Because-It-Just-Got—-HOTTER”.

5. Steev Mike Radio Commercial

Though not technically an actual “song” but more of a promo/advert/commercial. Ranked #5 because this will undoubtedly raise an eyebrow at the oddities found in the track. Not only does it contain Andrew W.K. stating he’s Steev Mike (an Island Records recording artist) but it also has alternate versions of It’s Time To Party, She Is Beautiful and others. Hey, it’s mixed together pretty well too!

4. The Santos Cheer

Though it has no official “Andrew W.K.” name credited to it, the night club’s theme song was obviously influenced/created by him. What you may not have known is that the Santos Party House Blog once offered the “tracks” within the song to competitors to create the best mix of the song for a prize. It’s no wonder why this tune is one of the most popular “B-Sides” on this site. The news must have gotten out about this base-thumper and the catchy sing-a-long chorus! (if you have those individual tracks… let me know!  )

3. Kit Kat Song

Short and sweet, but what a regular song can only do in 2:30 this song does it in 30 seconds flat! The highs and lows, it’s all slam packed into this one. Dare I say… way better than the original Kit Kat jingle?! I know at least 930 people that would agree with me.

2. Mickey Mouse Club March

Wow. Ranked #2 for a reason. Words can’t really explain it, just listen to it.

1. Fang (Kiba)

For whatever reason, I never hear anybody talking about this song. Which is why I’ve chosen it as the #1 spot for the most underrated-unknown song by AWK. Kiba is a Japan-only single and this English version entitled “Fang” really packs a punch. While collaborating with Marty Friedman, Andrew’s lyrical inspiration on this track may not have been rivaled since The Wolf (Fang (Kiba) lyrics here). Enjoy!

***Don’t agree with me? Tell me what you think by leaving a comment***