Review - Semi Precious Weapons - You Love You
Semi Precious Weapons has been around since 2006, and they’ve mostly played shows with no-names; the kind of ‘concert’ where the band gets paid in free beer from the bar at the end of the night, and hopes to sell a CD or have someone remember their name. The past year and a half has been good to the group. They’ve signed a deal with Interscope Records, and toured across the country repetitively. Also, when the goal is becoming more popular as a band, being best friends with Lady Gaga can’t really hurt.
NYC glam rock troupe Semi Precious Weapons could be described as a ‘very acquired taste’. They are not the kind of music you play for your parents…or small children. The group’s style is very Bowie-esque – more so costume than in sound, but when listening to songs like “Put A Diamond On It” or “Sticky With Champagne”, the group’s influences shine through. Listening to You Love You is like waking up back in the seventies in the middle of a cocaine-fueled orgy. The songs are so ridiculously over the top, they almost work.
Intro track “Semi Precious Weapons” sounds exactly like Jet’s “Cold Hard Bitch”, only dirtier. The rest of the songs on the album are of similar sound and caliber – fine-tuned musical foreplay. The group switches it up only once, playing a slower track, “Leave Your Pretty To Me”, which is surprisingly sweet. Most of the CD, however, celebrates hedonism (see: “Statues Of Ourselves”), over-the-top partying, and shallow outer beauty. SPW are not hiding true meanings or using metaphors, either; sometimes, crude as it might be, the band just shouts it out (“I can’t pay my rent but I’m fucking gorgeous”).
All in all, listening to the Weapons’ major label debut You Love You makes the listener feel like a shower is in order. Thankfully, it is easy to get on board with, and after dancing at their show, everyone else needs a wash as well. Lead singer Justin Tranter sings (and screams and hollers) like he really believes he is fucking gorgeous – and makes fans believe that they might just be, too.
NYC glam rock troupe Semi Precious Weapons could be described as a ‘very acquired taste’. They are not the kind of music you play for your parents…or small children. The group’s style is very Bowie-esque – more so costume than in sound, but when listening to songs like “Put A Diamond On It” or “Sticky With Champagne”, the group’s influences shine through. Listening to You Love You is like waking up back in the seventies in the middle of a cocaine-fueled orgy. The songs are so ridiculously over the top, they almost work.
Intro track “Semi Precious Weapons” sounds exactly like Jet’s “Cold Hard Bitch”, only dirtier. The rest of the songs on the album are of similar sound and caliber – fine-tuned musical foreplay. The group switches it up only once, playing a slower track, “Leave Your Pretty To Me”, which is surprisingly sweet. Most of the CD, however, celebrates hedonism (see: “Statues Of Ourselves”), over-the-top partying, and shallow outer beauty. SPW are not hiding true meanings or using metaphors, either; sometimes, crude as it might be, the band just shouts it out (“I can’t pay my rent but I’m fucking gorgeous”).
All in all, listening to the Weapons’ major label debut You Love You makes the listener feel like a shower is in order. Thankfully, it is easy to get on board with, and after dancing at their show, everyone else needs a wash as well. Lead singer Justin Tranter sings (and screams and hollers) like he really believes he is fucking gorgeous – and makes fans believe that they might just be, too.
