Pet Needs Album Review

If Pet Needs last single ‘Tracey Emin’s Bed’ is any indication of what their debut album, ‘Fractured Party Music’ is going to be like, let's hope it’s pure art and not a pure mess! Founded in Colchester, the  band has been able to rack up a number of impressive live moments, sharing the stage with the likes of Maximo Park and Muncie Girls, gaining them the vital experience to understand the tracks which are making the most impact and selecting them for the album. 

Right out the gate I’m going to say Pet Needs share similarities with the great band, P.O.D, but if they were on steroids. The first track ‘Outline’ provides us the evidence for this statement, its fast, post punk, rock, just roaring for your attention.

Then comes the aforementioned ‘Tracey Emin’s Bed’ and there is good reason why this track has been selected as a single, there’s a slight hint of a radio friendly wave across the street about it without letting the observer getting too close to realise that Pet Needs real intention isn’t radio air time but releasing a punk track worth listening to from whichever corner of the music spectrum you belong too.

Almost halfway through and we experience a change in direction, with beefier guitar riffs and 70’s rock vocals and lyrics. I’ve got to say the contrast between ‘Toothpaste’ and the previous three songs before it made me gasp, not usually my cup of tea but I kept coming back adding more toothpaste into my cup, in the end I gave up and drank gallons of it on repeat.

Even more change in texture for the album arrives when the track ‘As The Spin Cycle Span’ pops up unexpectedly, for Pet needs this is a song which has been stripped back to as much of a raw record as I believe they can manage. It’s an intriguing change after such a fast tempo album beforehand, even though it is a good song I just felt this is more of a hidden gem for a small collection of songs like a EP instead of a debut statement album.

Pet Needs then goes back to their musical DNA with the next track, the burning bright star of the album, ‘The shape of Kayak’, a dirty rock song which is unapologetic for the heavier tone running through its veins.

All in all, Pet Needs have arrived with a statement and grab your attention. Now, join the party because if this is their first album the next one will be even better!