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Zero 7
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
Be Your Own Pet
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 24 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 26 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: XL / Ecstatic Peace
Release Date: 06 June 2006
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Indie, Rock
Summary
This self-titled release is the full-length (well, 33-minute) debut for the teen garage-rockers from Nashville fronted by the Karen O-esque Jemina Pearl.
Also By This Artist: Get Awkward
Also On The Web: BYOP @ MySpace Official Artist Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Village Voice (Consumer Guide)
Mouthy, destructive, confused, sexed-up but no sex object, Jemima Pearl is the pearl.
Read Full Review >MSN Consumer Guide (Robert Christgau)
Once a punky brat, Jemima Pearl now sounds like a punk broad -- like she might join the Donnas if that was a better job. But listen through the bigger voice and louder mix and you'll hear someone who's thinking all the time.
Read Full Review >Pitchfork
Even at its most ominous, though, the album never loses its verve or vitality. It's just one quick hit after another, a succession of aural whippets that last long after the record's over.
Read Full Review >Blender
Sweaty, sloppy and desperately quick. [Jul 2006, p.102]
musicOMH.com
This is a young band not taking themselves too seriously, and you can really picture them as they rock out and enjoy themselves.
Read Full Review >New Musical Express
Much of the reason for bothering with BYOP lies in the absolute glory of hearing Pearl succeed in making every lyrical couplet she spews forth sound as if she's been drinking cider since birth and is ready to hurl... anytime... now!
Read Full Review >Uncut
It's an album, like most teenagers, that is sometimes awkward and exhausting, but also joyous, un-jaded, and bursting at the seams with promise. [Apr 2006, p.114]
The New York Times
"Be Your Own Pet" is smart and crafty, but most of all, it's a wild-eyed blast.
Read Full Review >Austin Chronicle
Be Your Own Pet's two-minute blasts of post-pubescence are true testament to the loud, fast rules of punk.
Read Full Review >Los Angeles Times
Smart and witty touches abound. [4 Jun 2006]
Entertainment Weekly
Fun--but not terribly original. [9 Jun 2006, p.136]
Stylus Magazine
BYOP’s debut cascades on itself. Its compulsive, one-sitting punk is delivered with absolute self-conviction.
Read Full Review >Spin
Pearl may have studied Karen O's textbook, but when her bandmates rev up a proper garage-rock racket, she dives in like she was born with her own irresistible rock-star sneer. [Jul 2006, p.82]
Playlouder
Like scoffing a King sized Mars Bar, the instant gratification and sugar rush is soon superseded with nausea, whining and guilt.
Read Full Review >Prefix Magazine
An album adhering so strictly to a simple formula can't help but become redundant.
Read Full Review >Under The Radar
The real star here is Pearl, who’s about as respectful and modest as chewing bubble gum in science class. [#14]
PopMatters
If the album breezes past you without leaving much of an impression, if the songs sound all too much the same, we can forgive them.
Read Full Review >All Music Guide
Even though Be Your Own Pet were more consistent, or maybe just easier to keep up with, on their EPs, there's still plenty of hyperactive fun (or rather, fuuuuuun) to be found here.
Read Full Review >cokemachineglow
Yes, the album drags. Yes, the tracks bleed into each other. It is, ultimately, a tiring listen from a band whose sole aim seems to be to innervate every neurone in your body.
Read Full Review >Alternative Press
For the most part, the band's jagged guitars and bludgeoning backbeats play by the punk rulebook. [Jul 2006, p.186]
NOW Magazine
Be Your Own Pet attacks with enthusiasm, and everything here rocks sufficently, although some remedial songwriting classes may be required before they make the move to sports arenas.
Read Full Review >Q Magazine
Their music lacks any trace of sophistication or nuance. [Apr 2006, p.112]
The Guardian
The concept is fun, and sometimes they strike pop gold... But the underlying premise, which is that this racket is some badge of teenage authenticity, is self-limiting.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 6.9 (out of 10) based on 26 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
John E gave it a10:
I'm 45 yrz old ha! and I LOVE Be Yr Own Pet!!!! They've got a million times more personality, humor, energy and charm...Bunk Skunk Trunk and Bog are the two best punk songz I've heard since 1977! I mean come on, all those boymallpunk bandz sound freakin' TAME in comparison (boring, too).
Guy H gave it an8:
Shame on you if you can't enjoy this!! "I need more subtlety, variety, meaningful lyrics, moan, grumble, moan..." This album aint for you buddy!! As the lady would put it herself "I'm sorry ... I'm NOT SORRY!!!!!" The lyrics are so hysterically funny at points you can't help but laugh! Awesome
Joel S gave it a9:
Not really ground-breaking. But the songs are all so fun and catchy! Very, very solid stuff
Decepticon Pom gave it a4:
Too short, too fast - just like the longevity of this album.
David C gave it a1:
One of the worst releases of 2006, easily. How did this group of untalented hipsters ever get signed to Ecstatic Peace? Moore must be losing his mind along with his hearing after one too many SY shows.
Barry W gave it a9:
a real adrenaline rush, superb album
Mitchell S gave it a0:
Worst album (of over 50) I've heard this year.
