Long Live A.W.K

Andrew W.K.

What do you think of when you hear that name? Well, in honor of New Years Eve and parties that will inevitably ensue upon the nights of this coming weekend--when I hear the oh-so-holy-rock name "Andrew W.K." I think of partying, head banging, jumping and flailing arms, and a lot of smiles. Alcohol need not apply.

I Get Wet, Andrew's first album was released my sophomore year of high school. I was introduced to it by my boyfriend at the time. This was also during my Slipknot and Static-X phase so the initial reaction to W.K.'s sound was not a good one. He was just too happy and bubbly in his rock ballads when I was all about utter agony and depression in my music.

However, it grew on me. Then my boyfriend made me a "She is Beautiful" mix CD with that W.K. track headlining the album. I was hooked. I decided that him wearing all white and not masques and face-distorting makeup was ok. He was somewhat wholesome for me at the time and I kind of liked that.

I Get Wet is still one of my favorite albums. It is full of super-pumped up tracks. The album, overall, is rock on steroids. I walked around my high school, talking about Andrew W. K., but no one liked him. Everyone made fun of me. "Isn't all he sings about, partying?" Um--yah and what exactly is your complaint, dip-shit? While most of the kids who mocked my music taste were more interested in getting stoned and emo music, I was somewhat alone in my love for W.K.

The Wolf came out the Fall before I graduated high school. This album was the soundtrack to my fall semester. I remember I was actually listening to the song, "I Love Music," when I got my acceptance letter to the university I wanted to attend. I was sitting in the back of my parents car and we were driving back from somewhere and pulled up to the mailbox to get the mail before heading inside. I had my headphones on and was blasting this song when my dad sorted through the assorted bills and letters and pulled out a larger envelope and handed it back to me. I great Andrew W.K. memory.

I tried to bring his music with me to college and share it's wisdom but to this day, I find very few "get it." His music is pure feel-goodness. My theory is that people feel his music is just too simple and they feel they should be listening to complex music, more deep and insightful. These would be music snobs--my arch nemesis. People who shut down when I mention Andrew W.K. Don't lie, I know you didn't start listening to Kings of Leon until they were on the cover of Rolling Stone--I see right through all of you.

Anyway, in 2010, I caught wind that W.K. had released another album in 2009 that was unlike his earlier stuff. I bought it immediately, not really caring what it sounded like but trusting that if it was W.K., it would be great. 55 Cadillac was an unlikely instrumental album. The album revolves around W.K. and his piano. Different but still good.

Even now, I am always looking for new W.K. news, wear my one "A.W.K" shirt with pride and ask many a first date, "Do you like Andrew W.K.?" to help determine if there will be a second date. Andrew W.K. is like the Disney movie of music--sometimes you need a little to lift your spirits. Keep it coming, Andrew!

For those unfamiliar, his prize tracks are:

Party Hard
I Love Music
Cadillac
She is Beautiful
Ready to Die
Make Sex
I Love NYC