Is Get Wet a good place to start with Mental As Anything?

Yes, Get Wet is recommended as a starting point for new Mental As Anything listeners. A vibrant blend of catchy melodies and quirky lyrics that encapsulate the playful spirit of late '70s Australian new wave. Get Wet is Mental As Anything's debut album, released on November 1, 1979. At this point in their career, the band was transitioning from local Sydney gigs to a national presence, fueled by their distinctive sound and energetic performances.

Get Wet works well if you're into quirky lyrics with playful energy, steady pacing for lighthearted vibes and for casual gatherings.

How many songs are on Get Wet?

Get Wet has 14 tracks, running approximately 36 minutes.

Get Wet

Mental As Anything · 1979

36 min · 14 tracks · new wave

A vibrant blend of catchy melodies and quirky lyrics that encapsulate the playful spirit of late '70s Australian new wave.

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Top tracks — play these first

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The Nips Are Getting Bigger Start here — This track's infectious chorus and upbeat tempo helped propel it into the Australian charts, defining the band's playful aesthetic and establishing them as key figures in new wave music.
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Spanish Gardener — With its whimsical storytelling and catchy hooks, this song showcases the band's knack for blending humor with pop sensibility, making it a standout on the album.
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Insurance Man — This track features clever lyrics about the mundanity of everyday life wrapped in an engaging melody, epitomizing the band's ability to fuse social commentary with catchy pop tunes.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

46 /100

Foothills

Higher than 10% of albums we've rated

The album features catchy melodies and quirky lyrics, but its cohesion suffers from pacing shifts.

What we noticed

The album opens with a high-energy track that sets a lively tone, followed by several songs that maintain a similar upbeat tempo.
The last three tracks slow down the pace significantly, creating a noticeable shift in energy towards the end of the album.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

quirky lyrics with playful energy
steady pacing for lighthearted vibes
for casual gatherings
short tracks for quick enjoyment

Maybe skip if you

prefer lengthy immersive albums
seek deep emotional narratives

Where this album fits

Themes: Sydney nightlife· quirky storytelling· everyday absurdity
Career context: Get Wet is Mental As Anything's debut album, released on November 1, 1979. At this point in their career, the band was transitioning from local Sydney gigs to a national presence, fueled by their distinctive sound and energetic performances.
Stylistic neighbors: The B-52's· Squeeze· Devo