Be Your Own Pet
Get Awkward
Ecstatic Peace!
By Christine Ernest
Dear Jemina Pearl,
Where the hell were you during my constrained years of young adulthood? When my overprotective mom forbade me to hang out with anyone that had too many visible tattoos? When I spent more time sneaking out of the window than I did sneaking into the top thirty of my class?
Alas at least I’ve found a friend while reminiscing on those awkward years for I certainly feel you on your new album, Get Awkward. It’s rebellious. It’s quick paced. At times it tumbles into uncharted territory, naturally and most importantly without thoughtful pondering on what would make the most sense at the time. Yeah, it sounds a whole lot like the grand ole’ days of being young. But you know what? Both of them are fucking fantastic.
Jemina, I needed your words of wisdom for talking trash as in the song “Bitches Leave” for when I was head to head with the idiotic and whorey cheerleader who stole my man. If only you were born way earlier, then you could have whispered in my ear the line “you laugh and giggle like you haven’t gotten a brain” followed by “you name drop so much I wanna rip off my ears.” Then I’d drop the final whammy and exclaim you lie about partaking in the act of anal sex. Oh yes Jemina, those are fighting words and you certainly know how to throw down!
And just how I shouted about being censored when my high school newspaper was threatened to discontinue by the administration, Jemina I feel your pain as to how the US release had three tracks removed for being apparently too violent which sucks because those three tracks were pretty stellar.
Age is really not a factor (although at the time you recorded Get Awkward you were 20!), but Jemina, you’ve managed to accomplish a feat many vocalists 10 to 20 years your senior are still tackling – you’ve managed to harness that raw energy fueling your vocals. You do not let the boys overpower you with their triumphant guitar and drum lines often mimicking you. This is a sign of the tremendous growth since the last album and also the raw potential that lies in you. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I’d vote for you to be simply the best prom queen ever (like Carrie meets kickass rollergirl) as well as PTA mom of the year.
K.I.T.,
Christine
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