Guilt Show

Get Up Kids | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 2, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Vagrant Records
• ASIN: B0001BRSS0
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #148,456 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good mixture of styles from past and present, March 9, 2004

By 

alex bushman (Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Guilt Show (Audio CD)

I got into the Get Up Kids through their second album "Something to Write Home About" and was swayed by their brash attempt at melodic sensibility and vocal delivery. Their lyrics far overshadowed their shortcomings and that's what they've always been about. I haven't purchased "On a Wire" so I didn't experience their rapid change of style, but I like other bands like Sunny Day Real Estate and Dashboard Confessional, who altered their styles on their most recent albums. I liked those albums so why wouldn't I like this one. Anyway, "Guilt Show" came out and I couldn't miss this one so I picked it up on release day. My conclusion after listening to it once is that the musical style change has made their music occasionally as sophisticated as the lyrics to the songs themselves while still keeping a foot in the past, reminiscent of "Something to Write Home About." I like the differences in style and how they mesh together over the course of the album. Although others lament that the album is half baked, I think that they might just be purists who either love their old stuff, or really dug their new style and hated their old stuff and this album has them torn up. You know how I feel about it, but I have to say that the reviewer who arrogantly said that this music is immature, perhaps in not so many words, is an idiot who has no respect for other peoples taste and views. This album expresses getting older and still rocking out and I think that's commendable and mature. Note to the world: catchy music is good. Just try making it if you think it's easy.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars TGUK find a beautiful middle ground from their last 2 albums, March 3, 2004

By 

Steven Liddicoat (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Guilt Show (Audio CD)

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.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars not bad but try earlier stuff if you're new to the guk, May 2, 2004

By 

Leanna Trunzo (Boca Raton, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Guilt Show (Audio CD)

a lot of people are saying that this album is a return for the get up kids to their earlier (pre-on a wire) stuff. i would disagree on some levels. this album doesn't hold a candle to red letter day/woodson ep's, or something to write home about, or even four minute mile. however, it's an improvement on on a wire, to be sure. the songs on guilt show are much faster, catchier and more power-poppy and in that way, it is a throwback to their earlier stuff. however, it lacks the raw emotional quality of the earlier lp's and ep's. if you're new to the get up kids, i recommend something to write home about. however, if you're a tried-and-true guk fan, i wouldn't pass this album up; it's pretty good. i just can't see it as a soundtrack to my life like stwha and the red letter day/woodson ep's once were.