by: Sun-J
After a very subpar 2002 release, On a Wire, the Get Up Kids bounced back with side projects under New Amserdams or as Reggie and the Full-Effect. Both were rather successful endeavors, and the Get Up Kids have seemed to return back to form with their 2004 release, "Guilt Show," Gone are the pop urgencies, and back is the straight forward rock sound found on Something to Write Home About. This album is not a head first plunge into maturity, but is obviously darker, possibly because Matt Pryor is now a married man, as his once pop, emo lyrics have become deep words of literary referenced poetry, "Trespass fits you like a charm, a scarlet letter on your arm."
The album opens up with "Man of Conviction," a short introduction to what the album holds with a tender guitar riff intertwined between catchy piano rock. "The One You Want," is a live rock song with perfect breaks, and a cascading bridge. "Never be Alone" and "Holy Roman," sound like left over New Amserdams tracks while "Wouldn't Believe it," clearly marks transgression in The Get Up Kids sound with less power chords in favor of more complex rhythms and balancing drums. "Martyr Me," features Matt Pryor's vocals at their most harmonizing point as the man who recently bit the dust croons, "Thought if you're awake at all..." "How Long is Too Long," is classic Get Up Kids with its poppy poetic lyrics, and fast paced power chords. "In Your Sea" is retro Elvis Costello and is the catchiest song on the album while "The Dark Night of the Soul," features a bouncy flow over an unhindering bassline with subtle piano clashes. "Is There a Way Out" is the album's best track, though it seems like an experimental track, as the sound is nothing the Get Up Kids would usually employ. The same can be said for the Radiohead sounding "Conversation," which in my opinion is the perfect formula for a "comeback" album. Stack the album's first tracks with what the fans want to hear, and end the album on a transitional note.
It's about time The Get Up Kids got their act together, and with this album, all emo barriers are crushed in favor of a further matured sound which is sure to not disappoint fans, yet at the same time invite new listeners to get acquainted to the band supporting one of the best punk rock lyricists of all time.
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