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.