Review Summary: A fun and light-hearted confessional of some weird Arizona kids.
Sometimes there are some bands who someone will play for you, and your ears instantly reject it. A headache ensues, you feel a rush of disgust, it's almost a self-induced migraine. Well, having never heard of "folk-punk" or
Andrew Jackson Jihad for that matter, I was more than a little put off by the style of music they were putting forth. Given to me by my friend who was "finding their true identity in college" I had a bad feeling about it anyway. That probably tainted my willingness to accept this album.
Sean Bonnete's voice was too much to digest at first; particularly over acoustic guitar. Needless to say, I left this CD to collect dust for a good five to six months knowing that maybe my tastes would shift enough to accept this into my library with open arms. Well, six months soared by and I gave it another spin. This time around I didn't even have to listen for 45 seconds to see the genius behind this band.
People Who Can Eat People Are the Luckiest People is a fun, happy-go-lucky yet somehow ironically melancholy record that is perfect for any kind of day.
Despite only having two concrete members in the band, the lineup is anything but static. Upon attending an Andrew Jackson Jihad show you're bound to see a vast array of different instrumentalists. Whether it be a banjoist, two extra guitarists, a kazoo player, or a mandolinist, they are happy to welcome just about anybody on stage with them. The duo of Sean Bonette and Ben Gallaty make for some interesting music that I think just about anybody could enjoy assuming the person is a little open minded.
Rejoice despite the fact this world will hurt you
And rejoice despite the fact this world will kill you
And rejoice despite the fact this world will tear you to shreds
Rejoice because you're trying your best!
Rejoice is one of the best chosen opening tracks for any record I've come across. While not the best song on the album, it sets the hysterical tone that most of this album contains. Rejoice is an empathetic and empowering song that invokes a sense of optimism towards your problems. Sean wants you to know that despite all of the innocuous things that get you down in life you have to rejoice! Off the bat they make a strong connection with the listener by making you feel like they're just some good friends offering some friendly advice.
Brave As A Noun's 50's dance feel gives that oxy-moronic feeling they deliver so well over generally despondent lyrics this time around. Saying that it might be easier to just "sell out" in every sense of the word, he can't because he is just a man who is true to himself. Despite it being fast paced and a little odd, its remarkably easy to take in and appreciate everything Sean has to say.
Sean's lyrics are intelligent, humorous, and carefully care-free. Each song has at least one or two lines that can't help but bring a toothy grin to your face. His shameless delivery makes every line pleasantly sarcastic. In
Survival Song they borrow a singing refrain from good ol' Woody and aren't afraid to tell you so. "
And we totally ripped off a man named Woody Guthrie!" In one of the more serious songs
A Song Dedicated to The Memory Of Stormy The Rabbit he paints a vivid picture of the hopelessness of ever growing up.
First we were babies, we're birthing and dying
Then we were children, we were playing and crying
And then we were teenagers we were smoking and fucking
But now we're all grown up and we're sadly sighing.
All of the subjects addressed are things we can all as humans relate to, and he makes it so accessible for any listener who's been through even the smallest of tribulations.
The thing that makes this record worthy of a "superb" rating is the fact that the songs are written in the exact fashion that they intended. The musicianship isn't amazing, and the formula is simple. Simple three or four chord progressions on with some upbeat rat-ta-tat drums. His charismatic and witty delivery keeps it fun for the listener. He's not a particularly good singer, but its fitting to the sound of the record. It makes you feel good about singing along with him, even if (like me) you can't sing your way out of paper bag. The perfect execution of this humble formula makes People Who Can Eat People are the Luckiest People an asset to any record collection.
Recommended tracks:
Rejoice
Survival Song
No More Tears
Bad Bad Things
A Song Dedicated to the Memory of Stormy the Rabbit
