The Get Up Kids
Ever since the release of 2002’s “On a Wire,” fans of Kansas
City’s emo-pioneers, The Get Up Kids have been wondering what they
were going to do next.
The highly anticipated follow-up, entitled “Guilt Show,” shows a
return to the power-pop sound reminiscent of 1997’s “Four Minute
Mile” and 1999’s “Something to Write Home About.”
It’s mature, ridiculously catchy and most importantly, it’s fun.
The Get Up Kids have this strange ability, much like Saves the Day,
to make being depressed so fun and likeable (track 6, “Martyr Me”
is the perfect example).
“Guilt Show” is the kind of CD that you can play in your car
with the windows down or blast in your discman (or iPod …
whatever) while walking around town.
In recent years, members of the Get Up Kids have been involved
in various side projects and “Guilt Show” shows just how much
influence these bands have had on The Get Up Kids.
While the basic formula still applies, catchy choruses, songs
about lost love or betrayal, poppy guitar riffs and Matt Pryor’s
distinct lead vocals. “Guilt Show” presents a more melodic delivery
a la the New Amsterdams as well as a retro-’80s vibe typical of
Reggie and the Full Effect.
“Guilt Show” is a CD that will attract new fans to The Get Up
Kids, while not disappointing existing ones. Be sure to catch The
Get Up Kids when they perform at the Bluebird Theater on April
3.
The Walkmen
“Bows and Arrows”
By Thea Domber, KCSU Station Manager
It didn’t take very long for the best rock album of 2004 to come
out. When you first hear the Walkmen’s “Bows and Arrows,” you might
think that lead singer Hamilton Leithauser was drunk during the
entire recording process. If he was, I want whatever he was
having!
The band perfectly mixes the grungy, under-produced sound of
garage rock with the snarky sensibilities of rock ‘n roll. And
unlike the Strokes, the Walkmen don’t let their desire to go back
to the basics get in the way of the music.
The band pulls their influences from everyone from Bob Dylan and
Iggy Pop to Johnny Cash and Bob Marley. Their sound is a bit
derivative but not at all unpleasant. Their two standout tracks,
“The Rat” and “Little House of Savages” both start deceptively
quiet but erupt into long, reaching rock songs that would fit
easily into a packed arena or a back alley bar.
You won’t find any curveballs on the album; every song fits into
the same storyline. If you like driving, garage-y sounding rock
sounds with a little bit of organ backing, then look no
further.
The Walkmen made a name for themselves last year when their
ditty “We’ve Been Had” from their last album appeared as the
backing track to a Saturn commercial. But don’t you dare call them
sellouts.
If you call yourself a rocker, give the album a try. Chances are
it won’t be leaving your CD player for a long time.
The Cooper Temple Clause
“Kick Up the Fire, and Let the Flames Break Loose”
By Nate Harper, Metal Director
The latest opus from The Cooper Temple Clause, entitled “Kick Up
the Fire, and Let the Flames Break Loose,” is a fantastic example
of a record that possesses a rich variety of sounds unified by a
consistent vibe that flows throughout the entire album.
The six-man group brings in more emotional highs and lows
throughout the first five songs of the album than most other rock
groups bring to their entire release.
The production is flawless across the board with appropriate
respect accorded to guitars, drums, vocals and keyboards. The band
channels everything from grunge to Brit-rock while still keeping
their approach to music decidedly their own.
The album starts off with the slow crescendo of “The Same
Mistakes,” and transfers that power directly to the second song,
the hard rocking “Promises, Promises.” As the album progresses the
songs increase in complexity. The slow synth-heavy intro to “Into
My Arms” gives way to the driving percussion of “Blind Pilots,” and
regardless of the song’s mood, rock is never left out of any
track.
The highlight of the album is “Music Box,” in which vocalist Ben
Gautrey’s requests to be left alone with his music, moves from a
quiet plea throughout the first half of the song to a guitar-driven
threat during the d�nouement.
Also included on the album’s bonus materials are two live
tracks, a music video for “Promises, Promises” and a short flash
game entitled “Snuff Movie,” featuring everyone’s favorite
combination, music and death!
“Kick Up the Fire, and Let the Flames Break Loose” is the
perfect album for homework listening, headphone enjoyment or that
tricky time while hosting a party when the tempo has died down a
bit, but you’re not ready to kick anyone out just yet.
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