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Andrew Jackson Jihad

People Who Can Eat People Are the Luckiest People in the World
2007
Asian Man

Andrew Jackson Jihad - People Who Can Eat People Are the Luckiest People in the World (Cover Artwork)

Review by: scientistrock
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Published on April 25th 2008

Andrew Jackson Jihad is one of the best bands doing it right now. Their live shows are passionate; their lyrics are clever and their self-released material was the kind of uplifting acoustic punk that makes the listener shake his or her fist while smiling, then laughing and then being deeply disturbed. Their debut for Asian Man Records continues on the path set by previous demos and splits.

People Who Can Eat People Are the Luckiest People on Earth continues the musical path set down from the band’s early days. The songs all rely on the simple formula of acoustic guitar and standup bass. The album diverges from its predecessors with the addition of mandolin in most songs, electric guitar on some and horns on still others. Musically, the Jihad (if I may shorten their name thusly) stands a little above their acoustic-punk peers. Ben Gallaty is one of the few standup bassists I’ve seen in the punk scene, and I know from seven years in orchestra that that son of a bitch ain’t an easy one to play. If you watch the guitarist, Sean Bonnette, play it’s very impressive. The man plays something similar to flamenco style, really fast and using just his fingers. The rest of the instruments are covered by a rotating group of Bonnette and Gallaty’s friends, but I’m not well-versed enough in any of the other instruments to comment on their talents. The ultimate result is an uplifting musical backdrop to Bonnette’s vocals and songwriting.

The simplicity of the music allows the vocals to come to forefront on this record. Bonnette’s nasally warble fits the music pretty perfectly. He passionately delivers lyrics that are sometimes disturbing, sometimes uplifting, but always clever and honest. On first listen, the songs are hysterical. But with repeated listens, laughter turns to contemplation. Bonnette explores motifs as varied as the duality of human nature, his own troubled past, the ethical implications of drug use and burning houses, all with a mix of sharp sarcasm and meaningful insight. Take, for instance, the following line from “People II: The Reckoning”: “There is someone in your head waiting to fucking strangle you.” That line is inherently funny (it almost always elicits a chuckle from me), but the song as a whole demands you pay serious attention to it. And that seems to be the trap that Andrew Jackson Jihad gets stuck in. Most listeners (at least, most people I’ve shown this to) have trouble getting past the humor.

This album is damn near perfect. The songs work on two levels. They are fun to listen to on the first spin. But each time you listen you get deeper and deeper into the album, and deeper into Bonnette’s somewhat twisted world view. Get this; it’s one of the best punk albums of the past few years.

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Posted by crayZsaaron on 2009-05-25 19:49:46
My Score:

This review described my feelings for this album perfectly... although "uplifting" isn't a word I would use. The music seems cheerful and humorous at first (sort of), and then after a few listens it turns into a sad, depressing, twisted look on the world and society. Except for "People", which has a few uplifting moments around the end. A fantastic album all-around.

Posted by acris on 2008-08-18 09:00:41
My Score:

Love this band and this release. It's their best, in my opinion. Their lyrics are overly simple, yet still are capable of delivering a great message. This is one of the few bands on the Plan It X roster that actually seem to know what they're doing and are able to do it well.

Posted by dlangl4 on 2008-07-29 02:57:39
My Score:

Incredible music. Incredible lyrics.

Posted by rocktopus on 2008-06-20 03:34:10

Yep. What the review said.

Posted by ven89 on 2008-04-29 18:13:25
My Score:

Just don't like it. Nope. Except for No More Tears, which is a really good song.

Posted by ashtraymonument on 2008-04-29 17:58:17
My Score:

wonderful album. 3rd favorite of last year

Posted by rupertmurder on 2008-04-29 13:40:40

This album is truly great. Honestly, its one of the best releases Asian Man has done.

Posted by matt_k on 2008-04-29 12:56:11
My Score:

fucking LOVED this album. Not a damn bit of criticism for it. I'm glad this finally got a good review

Posted by scientistrock on 2008-04-28 18:19:25

Dante,

I'm also not positive on it being a 9 but i think its closer to 9 than 8. I've also read your review (because I looked around for reviews of it forever) and I have to say you probably brought some things in it to light for me. I don't really know what I'm getting at, but I'd say (to be a pitchfork douche) 8.6.

Posted by Dante3000 on 2008-04-28 16:14:00

Good album. Not sure I'd give it a 9/10 but it's pretty good. It's kind of a huge downer in some parts but the more you listen to it, the more you realize that's just how the band views things. Really a great album.
-Dante

Posted by Hey_Asshole on 2008-04-28 15:50:29
My Score:

given the massive erections this gave everyone, i am surprised it is just now being reviewed.

great record though

Posted by recordtheory on 2008-04-28 14:32:11
My Score:

Your sympathetic nervous system controls fight-or-flight, not your parasympathetic nervous system. Nice try.

Oh, and great fucking record.

Posted by misterspike on 2008-04-28 08:46:03
My Score:

I don't find that lyric funny at all. Frighteningly true, yes. Funny, no.

That's how I felt upon first hearing it, as well. Love this album.

Posted by bryne on 2008-04-27 23:02:24
My Score:

I wouldn't call myself a connoisseur of this type of music, but I think this record is fucking great.

Posted by longshot on 2008-04-27 21:04:54

Great, great album.
Stoked for the show with these guys, BTMI! and the Queers.
Should be an awesome time.

Posted by Rastid on 2008-04-27 18:27:52

i really can't get into this band...

Posted by Cox_Attack on 2008-04-27 14:10:51
My Score:

This was one of my top 5 records last year for sure. Incredible band and one of the nicest bands I've ever met. They played a basement that I drove 2 hours to just to see them. They went on first before a bunch of local bands for some reason but apparently there were like 20 of us that drove far and missed them. They actually played after the show just for us!

Anyway, great album, great lyrics that are though provoking and real without ever getting in to pretentious grounds, and overall great dudes.

Posted by Sherlock_28 on 2008-04-27 12:39:42
My Score:

One of my favorites of last year. Great to spin on vinyl.

Posted by 24HourPriapism on 2008-04-27 09:56:04
My Score:

goddamn love this album. definitely one of my favorites of 07.

Posted by Scruffy on 2008-04-27 02:12:18

I don't find that lyric funny at all. Frighteningly true, yes. Funny, no.

Posted by versus_god on 2008-04-27 01:52:09
My Score:

Great record.

Posted by The_Incline on 2008-04-27 01:39:50
My Score:

This album really is amazing probably my favorite one of last year. I'm glad it got a review

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Andrew Jackson Jihad