Similar to e=mc (minus the genius), Get Born is a formula. Take four Aussies (two of which are required to be siblings), inject some traditional rock (creating the foundation), add a little garage punk (to give the mix a bit of an edge), blend in some sloppy production (don't be stingy with the synthesized background clapping), and (of course) name one of the tracks "Take it or Leave It".

Sure, the album brings some pleasurable elements to the table. "Radio Song" is an ironic yet oddly likeable ballad, and the cynically written "Rollover D.J." is sure to turn some heads. "Get Me Outta Here" and "Get What You Need" are sure to please fans of, "Are You Gonna Be My Girl", Jet's first single. "Lazy Gun" is a nice departure and "Cold Hard B****" is absolutely irresistible despite the somewhat harsh lyrics.

While Nic Cester's howling on "Look What You've Done", the flawed country ballad "Move On", and a couple short throwaway tracks might initially put off listeners, there are definitely more pros than cons within the album.

The final product? Get Born isn't so much a promising debut as it is a catchy carbon copy. Let's put it this way. If I hear Jet on the radio, I'd turn up the volume. It's not bad at all. To me, it would be senseless to actually buy Get Born because it's a lot easier just to flip through my CD collection at home and pop in Room On Fire, Veni Vidi Vicious, or Get Free. Why buy what I already have?

I'll be interested to see how the band approaches their next album. Who knows? Maybe they're just warming up. For now, however, I'll take a pass on Get Born. Naturally, this is all just my opinion. Take it or leave it.


Is it 1969?   October 16, 2004
 68 out of 74 found this review helpful

Australian group Jet lived up to their name when they sonically swooped onto the music scene with their first full-length CD - "Get Born." The lead-off single - Are You Gonna Be My Girl? - is simply one of the most compelling rock songs in recent memory. Yes, it's highly derivative of earlier rock music, but it's brilliant. How many TV shows, movies, and products immediately used the song in ads? Sure, it burned out from overexposure pretty quickly, but fortunately the CD is filled with equally gripping rock.

The band deftly combines elements of 60s and 70s rock (especially the Stones and the Who) but adds touches of more recent rock for a fresh sound. For example, "Rollover D.J." is reminiscent of Oasis. "Move On" is a mid-tempo song that incorporates an alt-country sound, a la Wilco. "Timothy" is an interesting ballad with lyrics that could have been written by David Bowie during his Ziggy Stardust period. "Radio Song" has some nice prog-rock touches that wouldn't sound out of place on an early Radiohead CD. "Lazy Gun" is conceivably the pinnacle of the CD, as it changes tempo and style, weaving all over the place; it also, perhaps tellingly, sounds the least like anybody else. The lyrics, though, seem to sum up Jet's philosophy - Change nothing/ Futures in/ Close the door/ Wear a name/ Be the same/ Take some more.

Jet puts everything together so well that it's almost impossible to dislike this CD. Plus, let's face it, the artists they rip off are by and large past their prime - either disbanded or making musty music. Judged on its own merits, "Get Born" is an exceedingly strong rock record. Of course, Jet now faces the tremendous challenge of following up this CD and standing apart from the other raft of similar retro-rockers, including the Strokes, the Hives, and the Vines. Only time will tell whether the band will establish its own identity or become stale. In the meantime, this CD is highly recommended.



Jet "Get Born"   March 20, 2004
 46 out of 57 found this review helpful

"Last Chance" (3/5): A decent song, not a great opener though.
"Are You Gonna Be My Girl?" (5/5): The lead single, a great tune that you can't help but sing along to.
"Rollover D.J." (4/5): This song always makes me wanna move.
"Look What You've Done" (4/5): A great ballad.
"Get What You Need" (3/5): An average song, but nothing more.
"Move On" (3/5): A good ballad, kinda Pink Floyd-ish.
"Radio Song" (3/5): Not a bad tune, just not great.
"Get Me Outta Here" (4/5): This up-tempo track is a winner.
"Cold Hard B***h" (4/5): The second single that should prove that the band isn't a one hit wonder.
"Come Around Again" (4/5): Another killer ballad.
"Take It Or Leave It" (4/5): Yet again, Jet proves they're the kings of the fast paced tracks.
"Lazy Gun" (3/5): A decent song, but nothing memorable.
"Timothy" (3/5): A less than thrilling conclusion to a thrilling album.

"Get Born", the debut from Aussie rockers Jet is music to my ears. Though some of the ballads can become tiresome, every fast paced song on this record is a winner. Definately worth checking out, especially if you're into the garage rock scene.

Rating: Three and a half stars.


Get Rock   October 17, 2003
 21 out of 26 found this review helpful

Well, as it has been said in many reviews, there's nothing new here. So what. Jet draw upon and nick everything that's good about rock-n-roll. A bit of swagger there, a pinch of drunken chaos here. Couple that kind of stuff with a simple back to basics rock record and you get music that will definitely please the rocker within. Get Born is a great debut. A debut that is basically a hybrid of ACDC, a little Oasis, and a lot of "Taken Care Of Business" (Rollover DJ). Some might see this as unoriginal and predictable. Again, it IS all this, and that my friends, is a good thing in this day and age.

Lots of high-marks throughout the records' 13 tracks. Are You Gonna Be My Girl and Rollover DJ are really great, fast paced stompin' singles. I also really like Take It Or Leave It, and Cold Hard B...., another couple of raw energy rockers that please the 70's rock soul. My only complaint is that those, with another 2 tunes from Get Born, have been included from the Dirty Sweet EP. (I always like EP's to have something not found on the full lengths) Anyway this is a great rock record. Don't expect it change your life, but do expect it to get you moving.


where are the copyright lawyers when you really need them?   August 9, 2004
 18 out of 28 found this review helpful

"Are You Gonna Be My Girl" must be stopped. I don't listen to modern rock radio. But I still can't avoid hearing this song. "Dude (Looks Like a Lady)" is my all-time least favorite song, but this one isn't far behind. Rather than annoying and self-indulgent, like "Dude," "Girl" is blatantly unoriginal and deceptive. I would argue that the song's deception, which is largely subjective, is its worst attribute.

You're in a public place...let's say, the gym. You hearing the opening drum beat, and the bass line, and immediately look forward to hearing Iggy Pop's "Lust for Life." BUT THEN you shudder upon realizing, "No, this isn't 'Lust for Life.' It's that stupid Jet song. I'd better get out of here." So, while "Girl" provides an amazing excuse for curtailing a gym visit, it fools me every time. I don't usually write scathing reviews on Amazon, but I had to get Jet back for tricking me so many times.

The long tradition of pop music copyright infringement includes George Harrison getting busted for stealing the melody of "He's So Fine" on his "My Sweet Lord," and Vanilla Ice sneaking the instantly recognizable bass line from Bowie/Queen's "Under Pressure" smoothly into his "Ice Ice Baby." For some reason, Iggy Pop didn't go after Jet. Maybe he doesn't feel like it. Maybe he already has stock options in the song and is making a killing. Maybe he's got a lazy lawyer. Or perhaps, just perhaps, he doesn't believe that what Jet have done qualifies as copyright infringement.

Either way, no matter how much it tries to sound like "Lust for Life" in the beginning, "Are You Gonna Be My Girl" turns out to be a terrible song, with bland lyrics I could have written (only after writing the lyrics, I would have thrown them in the garbage. They're that bad) and the chord structure featured in the children's book, My First Guitar.

The Marketing Hype is a monster with many heads to represent different gullible, ignorant target audiences. And watch out; it's at large once again. Don't believe it. Leave that to 13-year-olds. They love this song - let them love it. After all, I once thought "Ice Ice Baby" was pure originality.