Get Wet is the debut studio album released by Australian band Mental As Anything. It was released in November 1979, and peaked at No. 19 on the Australian Album charts. NOTE: Used for Australian Singles and Albums charting from 1970 until ARIA created their own charts in mid-1988.
Mombassa said the band's goal was, "Getting an album out that was reasonably like us. We had no great plans of what it should sound like although that was probably a bad idea as it should've sounded better. But it was done hastily and it's not a bad album."
Reception Trouser Press said the album "is certainly a good-natured introduction to a band unafraid to write a love song to a foreign country based on travel ads ("Egypt") or pitch a cheesy instrumental bit with Sam the Sham organ as a "Possible Theme for a Future TV Drama Series"."
Track listing Side A "The Nips Are Getting Bigger" (Written: Plaza, Vocal: Plaza) "Spanish Gardener" (Written: Plaza, Vocal: Plaza) "Business and Pleasure" (Written: Reg Mombassa, Vocals: Mombassa) "Sheilah" (Written: Plaza, Vocal: Plaza) "Possible Theme for a Future TV Drama Series" (Written: Plaza, Vocal: Plaza) "Talk to Baby Jesus" (Written: Mombassa, Vocals: Mombassa) "Egypt" (Written: Mombassa, Vocals: Mombassa/Plaza)
Side B "Another Man's Sitting in My Kitchen" (Written: Greedy Smith, Vocal: Smith) "Can I Come Home?" (Written: Mombassa, Vocal: Mombassa) "Fringe Benefits" (Written: Plaza, Vocal: Plaza) "Insurance Man" (Written: Smith, Vocal: Smith) "Empty Hearts/Open Wounds" (Written: Mombassa, Vocal: Mombassa) "Love Is Not a Gift" (titled "Pork Is Not a Gift" on some versions) (Written: Peter O'Doherty, Vocal: O'Doherty) "Wolf at Your Door" (Written: O'Doherty, Vocal: Plaza)
Personnel Musicians Martin Plaza — lead vocals, guitar Greedy Smith — lead vocals, keyboards, harmonica Reg Mombassa — guitar, vocals Peter O'Doherty — bass, guitar, vocals Wayne de Lisle — drums
Recording details Cameron Allan — producer Heather Dalton — engineer Spencer Lee — engineer Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound, NYC — mastering
Charts Chart (1979/80)PeakpositionAustralian (Kent Music Report)19
Certifications and sales
Release history Region Date Label Format Catalogue Australia / New Zealand November 1979 Regular Records LP, Cassette L 37125 / C 37125 Europe 1980 Virgin Records LP, Cassette 2473802 Australia 1992 Regular Records CD D19560
References