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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another great Get Up Kids CD, June 19, 2002
I must admit that when I first listened to this CD, I was lukewarm about it at best. However, after a few listens, this CD quickly grew on me, and now I love it more than any of their previous CDs. It captures all the anguish and emotions that one goes through when being left by a loved one, whether it be by a father or a girlfried, a feeling most of us can relate to. If ever you are feeling lonely, this is definately the CD to listen to. Here is an overview of each track:
1. Overdue - a great opener, an accoustic song that sets the theme for the whole CD brilliantly. A very emotional song about being left by a father who is "24 years overdue."2. Stay Gone - One of the more catchier, poppier songs, yet still extremely good. 3. Let the Reigns Go Loose - The instrumental intro and outro in this song are AMAZING. The rest of the song is nothing special though, yet still solid. 4. Fall From Grace - One of my least favorite songs of the CD, yet still pretty good. Matthew's voice just sounds weird in this one. 5. Grunge Pig - Probably my third favorite song on this CD. Has a great rock guitar sound, and the lyrics are so great. "Don't have bruises I can show, scars from abuse without a blow." is one of my favorite lines of any song. 6. High as the Moon - A very poppy song, but a good one. And I just love the line "waiting for you, should be a sin." because it emotes how when you have been left, you keep waiting, even though you know you shoudln't, yet still do because you love them, even if they are treating you like crap. 7. All That I Know - probably my least favorite song on the CD. One of two songs that the lead guitarist has the lead vocals on. 8. Walking on a Wire - my favorite song on the CD. The bass line is amazing, the lead guitar is amazing, the keyboard line is amazing, the lyrics are amazing, and matthew's voice sounds amazing. (The songs is just amazing) When Matthew hits the extremely high note at the very end, it sends chills down my spine, and then it is followed by a minute of great instrumentals. And when I heard it live, it was even better. 9. Wish You Were Here - The poppiest song of the CD, yet still very good. As you can see by the title, its about yearning for a loved one who has left you to still be with you. 10. Campfire Kansas - A great acoustic song that was written and sang by the lead guitarist about reminissing about the good times. 11. Worst Idea - Has a retro 80's beat to it, which I didn't like at first but now think it is cool. The line "I'll go with the worst idea if everyone takes the toll" sums up that even though he thinks the idea is terrible, he will go along it, basically because its all he can do. 12. Hannah Hold On - My second favorite song on the CD. A BEAUTIFUL acoustic song that you will find stuck in your head for hours after you hear it. And this song could not possibly be more fitting for an ending to On A Wire. Its about letting go of a relationship that has failed. And anyone who has ever been heart broken and had to let go of someone they loved, will be able to connect to this song. In conclusion, BUY THIS CD! It's amazing and you won't be let down if you listen to it with an open mind, meaning don't try to compare it to other TGUK songs becuase they are completely different and cannot be compared.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Final Word to all potential buyers, September 8, 2004
First of all, it saddens me to see so many people ripping this album apart. While I appreciate a band's connection and obligation to its fans, the band has to be allowed to move in whatever direction their inspiration takes them. Who is the random fan from Nowhere, USA to tell Matt, "That's not what you are passionate about, write something better!" Get off these guys backs and let them write and play what they want to. If you don't like the direction the band is going, don't buy their CD's. It's your right as a consumer just as producing unique albums is their right as a band. Anyway, On A Wire is my personal favorite GUK CD. Yes, for all those that are skeptical of my level of devotion, I do own all of their CD's and have seen them live multiple times in different stages of the band's career. It is a stylistic departure from their previous work. Rhythmically there is more variation in here than in previous works where a quick driving beat was prevelant. The acoustic songs (Overdue and Campfire Kansas) are incredibly beautiful and flowing. Though they won't start a pit, they might actually evoke real emotion, not that I'm labeling the band emo or anything so utterly inexcusable. Walking on a Wire is possibly one of the most powerful songs I've ever heard live. When I first got the CD, I kind of glossed over it. When you hear it in a small club with the sound pulsing through you, the crecendo over the last minute or so is simply moving. While I didn't mention any of the other songs, there is no filler here. I'll finish with that and a disclaimer: Listen to it a bunch of times. It grew on me, it might do the same for you. If you don't like it, fine but at least give it a shot.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Constants Aren't So Constant Anymore, May 16, 2002
I have been eagerly awaiting May 14th since I heard that it was the On a Wire release date. I was excited beyond words to hear more of the hyperactively sad emo-rock that the get up kids pump out so consistently. I couldn't wait to hear the latest guitar lines and addictive drum beats. Well, if you find youself in a similar situation, get ready to be caught off guard.
Gone are the heavily distorted guitars and the thudding bass lines and mostly the heavy drums, too. It's time for a dose of acoustic driven alt-rock, a la Peter Salett or Cherry Twister. TGUK come across much more like The Wallflowers than The Promise Ring on this LP, using lighter beats and much less complex guitar layers. It's interesting that in a genre so small as emo, there are still distinctions to be drawn, but for those who will recognize the comparison: On a Wire sounds alot more like the Dashboard Confessional side of emo than the Jets to Brazil side.
I don't mean to lead you to think that the album is bad or poorly composed, just that it takes some getting used to if you are more comfortable with more standard get up kids fare. The album is arguably best appreciated by it's bookends, "Overdue" opening and "Hannah Hold On" closing. These are two pieces, obviously a departure from the majority of their material, still seem to maintain the sort of energetic sadness that the get up kids have made a living off of. Other songs seem too far a reach, like "Grunge Pig" that sounds to me like a Weezer B-side. Others stray far from the path established on Four Minute Mile and Something to Write Home About, but do so in a interesting way. "Fall from Grace" is a good example of this, as is the uncharacteristically long title track "Walking on a Wire."
I think overall I'm looking at an album that will grow on me. It's not what I was expecting, but it's proving to already have very memorable lines and some truly solid songs. My advice, go to the official site (thegetupkids.net) and listen to "Overdue." If you're turned off, screw it. If you're interested, or really like the song, go buy the album; "Overdue" is a good indication as to what this album has to offer.
Finally some advice to old fans: if you are devoted/crazy enough to actually own either Eudora or, God save you, Before You Were Punk: Volume II, give a good listen to TGUK's cover of "Close to Me" (originally by The Cure), cause that about as close to this style they've ever come before.
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by The Get Up Kids 
