The Real Thing

If only I had picked up Kelly Osbourne’s debut album Shut Up when it was released this past November, I am certain it would have easily landed in my Best Albums of 2002 list, easily hovering near the upper level. However, that is not the case, but I am happy to report that this album is everything I had hoped it would be and then some. Yep, Shut Up is rather excellent.

Move over, Avril. You might have “the look” but I daresay you have the impeccable talent running through your veins the way Ms. Osbourne does. Every track here is a breath of fresh power rock air. In a time where music geared towards the youth is cluttered with flatulent fanfare for such brainless bands as Good Charlotte, Sum 41, Seether, and so forth, hearing Kelly Osbourne absolutely peel the paint back on these 12 tracks is downright incredible.

And as she would undoubtedly say in regards to all the trendy tracks currently cluttering up your favorite radio—“Blah blah, blah blah-blah-blah, blah-blah-blah.” Damn right.

Who do you want to compare Kelly’s sound to? How about this time we don’t compare her to anyone. Let’s be brazen enough to hold out Shut Up to the public as something absolutely new. And well, it is really. There are going to be moments where you’ll want to say, “Yeah but that part of that song sounds like . . .” and then you’ll forget all about that notion because Osbourne claims every tune here. Feel free to call it power pop, rock, radio friendly, the next big thing, the next whatever. But just listen to it and enjoy.

Oh there are the detractors, but this writer (and certainly Kelly herself) couldn’t care less. She knows what she’s up against in the market. But damn it, she passes with such flying colors here that I found myself playing Shut Up multiple times through in its entirety. From the first track “Disconnected” with its rush of rocked out joyous chords to the beautiful closing “More Than Life Itself” (“Papa Don’t Preach” is a hidden bonus track), Kelly Osbourne reaches for the brass ring and tears down the entire merry-go-round with her infectious music.

Osbourne’s band on the album is comprised of guitarist Chris Goercke, drummer Mike Benigno, and bassist Marc Russell. Also in tow is a group of folks known as “Powerpack” featuring Benigno, Goercke, Russell, Kara Dioguardi, Ric Wake, and Thomas Yezzi. Together, these musicians act as a true and solid band, not just as some remote “backing group” to prop Kelly up. The sound they create is a real tour de force. You listen to his album and hear it really work. It’s honest and rocks hard and pure.

All the songs really are excellent here, but for sake of pinpointing some highlights, “Come Dig Me Out” is one of the best of the lot, as well as the killer “Everything’s Alright” in which Kelly gives it to the listeners in her own straight-up fashion (“Fuck all that bullshit / Need to relax / Get my head straight / Put my face on / Shove my hair up / My ass is in gear and now / Everything’s alright”). Then there’s the herky-jerky rhythmic greatness of “Contradiction” and the wonderful vocal highlights contained in “On The Run”.

And that’s the other thing, Kelly Osbourne can sing with the best of them. Not once did I hear a note that made me wince or anything of that nature. If anything, Osbourne’s at that prime age where she can really flex her pipes and sing the hell out of something if she so chooses, and she definitely chooses to do so throughout Shut Up. And ultimately that’s probably the coolest thing about this album is how it sounds so vital and could easily be one of those things with wide crossover appeal that could easily catch the ears of not only the younger listeners but the adults as well. Hell, this 30 year old certainly took notice.

If Kelly Osbourne does indeed decide to work herself out a career in the music business, a long and fruitful career can most certainly be hers. Shut Up is a masterwork of modern rock. And it’s truly an original sound that deserves to be heard. So kudos to Kelly for making such a great album on her first time out. Here’s hoping for many more. If there’s a female rocker out there who genuinely kicks some major ass, it’s Kelly Osbourne. Don’t miss out on this one.