The Get Up Kids Album: “Guilt Show”

When it comes to The Get Up Kids (TGUK) there are some definitive lines in the opinions of their fan base. There are those that loved the early releases leading up to "Something to Write Home About", but were devastated by the changes in style made with "On a Wire." Another less abundant group loved these changes, as well as the newest release from the similar sounding side project "The New Amsterdams." So naturally there were also those who were in between and thought "On a Wire" was alright, but were a little bit let down by the transformation.

What TGUK have done with their most recent offering, "Guilt Show", is try to find a happy medium where everyone will be able to find something they like, and as a general rule they succeed. The sound is similar to that of OaW, which was partly carried over from The New Amsterdams. However, this sound has definitely been given a poppier, catchier overhaul in the vein of STWHA. "Never Be Alone," "Sympathy," and in places "Wouldn't Believe It" are probably the most reminiscent of the old sound, and are definitely stand out tracks. Then there's tracks like "The One You Want," and "Martyr Me" which are catchy little numbers that sample styles from both albums, and also sound great.

Another thing worth pointing out is that TGUK have also added a few new tricks to their repertoire, which is particularly evident in the track "Is There a Way Out?" The track is very instrumental and includes some strings as well as an array of techno-beep sounds that are reminiscent of The Postal Service (not a bad thing). I'm glad that this type of thing didn't become a regular element of their sound, but it is really interesting to hear it once on a more experimental dynamic track near the end, just as a change of pace. This is followed by "Conversation," another primarily instrumental track that rounds out the album well with another different style.

There are only a few downfalls to this overall great release. First, until you listen to the album for quite a while it's sort of hard to discern between many of the tracks. While this eventually wears away and becomes less of an issue, its just not as instantly accessible as STWHA was. Nothing to scoff at too greatly though. Secondly, I still miss some of the simplistic acoustic or piano ballads of yester-year. I'd love to hear something akin to "Close To Home" or "I'll Catch You". I'd also like to hear a bit more of Matt singing louder and harder in his unique almost sing-song screaming voice. He hints at it a few times, particularly in the chorus of "Wouldn't Believe It," but I wouldn't mind hearing it a bit more.

Little grievances aside, this is a tremendous album that really shows the band exploring itself more and finding some great new sounds, while still holding true to their past work. I have enjoyed this album more than I did "On a Wire," though I definitely give that album more credit and praise than many other fans seem inclined to. Overall I think that this is a superb release from one of my closest held bands. Anyone who considers themselves a fan of any of TGUK's previous works owes it to themselves to check this album out because it has a lot to offer. Definitely recommended.

TGUK have been around a long time and to tell you the truth, I never really cared for them...but for some reason I picked up this album one day. I'm glad I did. It seems Matthew Pryor saved some of his good Amsterdams songs and put them on here. Not a bad thing. Songs like: The One You Want, In Your Sea, Martyr Me, and even Man of Conviction are far superior than anything they've put out before-hand. Pick this album up if you wanna hear a little something more than jumbled guitars and incoherent vocals.

FINALLY! GUK is back!!!!! I LOVE THEM SO MUCH (just not as much during their country "on a wore" phase)

1. Man of Conviction - catchy tune, back to the "Four Minute Mile" Days

2. The One you Want - Great begining, but i'm not too crazy about the "woo wooo wooo" at the end

3. Never Be Alone - profound and it makes you think with the line: Never love anyone else/this i promise you/maybe yourself

4. Wouldn't Believe It - this is amazing i love how it deals with lying and deception: trespass fits you like a charm/scarlett letter on your arm

5. Holy Roman - such a great song!! lyrics are amazing and vocals are too...makes you think. buy the CD and check out the first version of this song

6. Martyr Me - If you really think about it, the verse and the chourus dont really mesh, but they sound good together

7. How Long is Too Long - Vocals are amazing. chours a little weak

8. Sick in Her Skin - i didn't like it at first, but during the day, the lyrics replayed in my head and now i love this song

9. In Your Sea - catchy tune, profound lyrics, amazing overall

10. Sympathy - this song is one of the best reasons to buy this cd. lyrics, vocals, and tune are all amazing. listen to this and you'll be scribbling the lyrics all over your stuff

11. Dark Night of a Soul - depressing, but great lyrics. the end is really awesome...something to think about

12. Is There a Way Out - great sound, but drowned out by the legnth of the song

13. Conversation - with the first line of the song, i thought they were going back to the "On A Wire" phase with the all gooey and mushy country feel, but by the chorus they redeemed themselves and made an amazing song

Overall, this is a must have. The special features are awesome too!

Sometimes it takes a while for music to grow on me. That was definitely true for the Get Up Kids. At first i thought they were kind of slow and boring. Now i love them. i still think some of their songs are boring but i absolutely adore several.

So obviously i bought this CD. And i've listened to it ~50 times. And i feel guilty saying this, but it's really rather boring. Tracks 3, 5 and 13 especially annoy me. i kind of like 4 and 12 and maybe 8 but overall, this is a slightly below average CD with some very unlikable tracks.

Everyone has their own taste, of course, and the people who like this CD seem to be the same ones who disliked On A Wire. My favorite Kid tracks are Red Letter Day (from Red Letter Day), Action and Action (Something to Write Home About), Anne Arbor (RLD; this one had to grow on me), Burned Bridges (Eudora), Don't Hate Me (4 Minute Mile) and Fall From Grace (On A Wire), Overdue (On A Wire; a little unusual for them, i probably like it because of the video) and Worst Idea (On A Wire). So i guess i was one of the ones who liked On A Wire and maybe this CD just wasn't meant for me. i'm glad others like it

I may be alone in my views on this one, but I was dissapointed in the Getup Kids latest offering "Guilt Show." Their 2002 release "On A Wire" was a huge musical step for the Kids-it showed maturity and interest in experimenting. I appreciated them for putting out something different and original. On "Guilt Show," it seems that the Kids are taking a step back-perhaps to appease the fans who seem to only beg for "Something to Write Home about, part II" and whine about it when they don't get it. Guilt Show is a consistent album, it has solid instrumentation and lyrics-but what it lacks is a spark. It has neither the energy of "Something to Write Home About" or the Introspect of "On A Wire" A few notable tracks make the album worthwhile for the die-hard Getup Kids fan. "Is there a way out" "Dark Night of the Soul" and "Conversation" hint at some of the inner struggles in a poweful way- but if you want great energy and emotion, or great introspect and originality, stick to the older albums.