Day two of being on out of town. AZ is absolutely gorgeous - even if you divided the temp in half it would still be warmer than in MPLS. The sun is shining and it's hot as blazes. In other words, I'm very happy. Due to this excessive happiness I will truncate today's post. Short post means short release, right? So how about a quick look at the most recent EP by one of my favorite bands of yesteryear, The Get Up Kids.
The Get Up Kids had actually called it quits a few years ago, having toured extensively during their careers in support of fantastic music that was essentially the front line of the dreaded emo descriptor that dogged them. After four phenomenal albums, a slew of EPs and even a live album, their personality differences and divergent desires left them in a rut. After a finale show, they hung up their gear and said "that's all!" yet not fully accepting the demise. This past year the group slowly began the process of rekindling the connection. In late 2010 they released their first studio effort in over six years, Simple Science. This short but sweet release was both a return to form and a breaking of new ground.
The first track, "Your Petty Pretty Things", feels like a natural growth for the band - the guitars are unmistakably them and lead singer Matt Pryor sounds just as good as he did six years back. There is something new though, something intangible and elusive, just a shade of indie rock or hipster angst that had previously dissipated on their last album, Guilt Show. That seems to be the direction the band is headed for now, that mix of the familiar and the novel, as is evidenced in the other tracks. "Keith Case"' is full of fuzzy bass and building, buzzing guitars that feel aggressively in your face for this band. Not out of character, just a bit left of center for them. "Tommy Gentle" is another track that feels like perfectly modern Get Up Kids, messing with my head by playing in that tension-raising 5/4 time signature. It's a pleasant, punchy little pop song that's over almost as soon as it begins. The final track of the EP is a real stand out, the spacey and ambient "How You're Bound" showing definite fresh sensibilities for the band. It's initially a serenely sparse tune with just snippets of guitar and cymbals but it grows as it goes, gaining booming synth-keys that add impressive depth and weight. I really love this song and the melancholy air it creates.
On the heels of this excellent EP came a full album I admittedly have yet to hear. However this choice little release shouldn't be over shadowed by it's bigger brother - it's an awesome prelude to the next phase in thief career. Head over to Flyover Records site and download it, or head to iTunes if you prefer. Just give it a spin and see what grabs you.
The Get Up Kids had actually called it quits a few years ago, having toured extensively during their careers in support of fantastic music that was essentially the front line of the dreaded emo descriptor that dogged them. After four phenomenal albums, a slew of EPs and even a live album, their personality differences and divergent desires left them in a rut. After a finale show, they hung up their gear and said "that's all!" yet not fully accepting the demise. This past year the group slowly began the process of rekindling the connection. In late 2010 they released their first studio effort in over six years, Simple Science. This short but sweet release was both a return to form and a breaking of new ground.
On the heels of this excellent EP came a full album I admittedly have yet to hear. However this choice little release shouldn't be over shadowed by it's bigger brother - it's an awesome prelude to the next phase in thief career. Head over to Flyover Records site and download it, or head to iTunes if you prefer. Just give it a spin and see what grabs you.
