It's been a career of highs and lows for Jet. The Aussie rock band exploded in popularity in 2003 thanks to their single 'Are You Gonna Be My Girl?', making the album that spawned it ('Get Born') a worldwide hit. Then came 2006's 'Shine On', and the infamous Pitchfork review that depicted nothing but a chimp urinating into its own mouth; it's a wonder that the foursome have recovered from the ridicule, not to mention the sheer awfulness of that album, and gone on to make a third longplayer.
So then, it's either testament to their resolve or a gluttony for punishment that sees the release of 'Shaka Rock'. Jet are never going to be a band who reinvent the wheel, or even make it spin particularly differently. They're openly derivative and their music is an aural patchwork quilt of stolen riffs, pilfered chord changes and mouthy swagger that's been done hundreds of times before.
Even so, there are a few songs here that are undoubtedly well-done. The Supergrass vibe of 'K.I.A.' and 'Walk' will keep foots merrily tapping, the '60s garage rattle of 'La Di Da' and 'Beat on Repeat' are jaunty enough, and Nic Cester and co. also pay homage to '70s glam and '80s power-rock at various points.
Of course, the constant barrage of serrated riffs and blustery yowls all becomes a bit tedious by the mid-way point, but it's innocuous rather than offensive. There's no real beauty, poise or imagination to Jet's music, but it fills a gap in some strange, sad way.
