(from CWSY#9, June '02) / home / reviews index
My Pet Junkie
- 'The Interstellar Conspiracy Theory'
(self-release)
Action. Humour. Troubled romance. And more special effects than you can shake a light sabre at. No, not the new Star Wars movie, but the latest selection of their prodigal songwriting that this southern three-piece has committed to disc. Currently giving London gig-goers a full night out with their indie-rock-rooted show, My Pet Junkie mix genres not in attempt to be experimentally brand-new, but simply to be most entertaining.
Opening 'Overhanging' is half sprightly ska-punk, half sludge-metal, with a gloriously goonie solo that breaks down into one low tone: like the recording of a bratrock kid who excitedly falls over his pedals, then forgets about the feedback when his ma calls him down for tea. Loses something from the live version for the interaction of the band's two singer/songwriters, wherein mischievous drummer Leon always yells, "lower!" in encouragement to guitarist Stu. While 'Baked Bean Skins' hints at the early Nirvana influence in the band, 'When I Am God' for them scales new heights (especially concerning Stuart's vocal chords!), a moody and haunting track with willowy guitar that recalls classic Radiohead.
Remaining studio tracks 'Interstellar..' and 'Domesticity' are mid-paced but not-entirely-serious. I wouldn't want to quote them, for fear of spoiling the surprise! The title track's a self-explanatory parody of enough sci-fi clichés to make you suspect the lyricist is less cynical than he'd have you believe, with the latter a light-hearted tale of the loss of a girlfriend; or, that is, the loss of a cook… bassist Julia hasn't complained of any sexism, however! Bonus track 'Attitude' gives a taste of live mayhem and a more singalong atmosphere from a band who never let their angst get in the way of their sense of humour.
