It always seems like Get Up Kids albums are released years and years apart. It feels like an age since 'On A Wire' came out, even if it was only 18 months ago. While that record didn't quite get the critical acclaim it deserved (including just 3-stars on this website - even though I personally loved it) TGUK are still one of those bands that attract lots of publicity whenever they hit the studios. 'Something To Write Home About' is one of my favourite albums ever - so 'Guilt Show' was highly anticipated.
But is the new record as good as their former releases? Sadly not. It's no 'Something...' and it's no 'Four Minute Mile' either, but that's not to say 'Guilt Show' is bad - because it most certainly is not. It's actually bloody great. It takes the sum of the poppier parts from the older records and throws them onto the style that 'On A Wire' moulded. The results are a more accessible album that will perhaps give the 'On A Wire' detractors something to think about. If you expect another 'Something...' then you'll be disappointed, but this is still The Get Up Kids we all know and love and give this an extended whirl in your CD player and you'll come to cherish it too.
'Man Of Conviction' is up-front and forceful and Matt Pryor's vocals really get you going. It's a song which harks back to when the band where at the forefront of the melodic emo revolution and one which really whets the apetite for the rest of the record. 'The One You Want' is gorgeous, throwing in a piano alongside the trademark 'Kids sound, while 'Never Be Alone' goes more along the 'On A Wire' sound. I suppose there are The Beatles elements to the sound, something which has been referenced many times before, and tracks like 'Holy Roman' and 'Conversation' certainly avoid shirking that tag.
'How Long Is Too Long' is fantastic, a real throwback to the golden Get Up Kids era, just as 'Wouldn't Believe It' and first single 'Martyr Me' are gorgeous pop songs with huge melodic hooks. Look out for these to be live favourites in the future. 'Sympathy' is another gem, as is 'In Your Sea', but it's Matt Pryor's strained vocals which really make everything sound brilliant. James Dewees keyboards are used cleverly too, but then the man is a genius anyway.
I very much doubt The Get Up Kids will ever better 'Something To Write Home About', but 'Guilt Show' is a fantastic album that really ought to be in your CD collection. As with all of their records there's something different in the mix and if you liked 'On A Wire' you'll certainly love this. It's probably the missing piece in the jigsaw between 'Something...' and the last record - maybe the band have released this an album late. Either way, this is going to be in my CD player for a long time and I have a feeling it may be in yours too...
www.thegetupkids.com
Vagrant Records
Paul
