Customer Reviews

On a Wire

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(25)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(11)
1 star:		(16)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

**** I hate "punks" a band tries something new and you cry over it. "Man, some of these songs sound like old 70's stuff your mom and papa used to listen to." Yeah Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and Pink Floyd own your pathetic soul. Like all GOOD bands The Get Up Kids decided not to do STWHA part 2, If I wanted to listen to something that sounded like STWHA I'd listen to that damn album. I'm glad The Get Up Kids tried something new, and if you give this album a chance you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Sure it's a little more mellow, but in the past, The Get Up Kids punkier songs were not their forte, with On A Wire they stick to what they do best, pop songs. And are these pop songs good. Overdue, Wish You Were Here, Walking on a Wire, they whole album is excellent if you listen to it with an open mind.

I just bought this cd recently, after going to the store to get 'a four minute mile.' They didn't have it, so I got this instead. Now, I am pleasently suprised by it. It has a bunch of great songs with great lyrics, and I can not think of one song I do not like, Though the title track is probably the weakest.

The singer his a great voice and its not annoying or nasaly, which is what most bands today have. THe highlight tracks of the album are:

Stay Gone
Fall From Grace
High as the Moon
The Worst Idea
Campfire Kansas

althought I love all the songs. Great album, highly reccomended.

When I first popped this disc into my car stereo, I really didn't know what to expect. Aside from hearing a brief sound clip of the opening track "Overdue" on tv, I hadn't heard anything else from the cd. Honestly, if I had heard more, I probably never would have bought this.

The Get Up Kids have changed quite a bit over the years, but never were they quite like this. From ep's like 'Woodson' and 'Red Letter Day', to the full length lp's '4 Minute Mile' and 'Something to Write Home About', the music was always up-beat, emotion-filled, catchy rock. If you expect to find this on 'On a Wire', you will be sorely disappointed just like I was.

The first single Overdue is a decent song, and it's probably the best song on the entire album. Unfortunately, it all goes down hill from there. Every song is slow and plodding, with very little to grab onto. It's not that I mind the slowness of it, because I love the new Promise Ring cd, and you can't get much slower than that. There's just no emotion, no feeling, and very little to like about it. Even Matt Pryor's voice sounds strained and weak singing these songs. Actually, this almost sounds like a New Amsterdams cd, but not even as good as that. It's kinda sad when your side project can put out better material that your main band.

Unfortunately, I can't say that this isn't the most disappointing cd I've ever heard. Perhaps my hopes were too high, or that I was expecting something completely different than this. I have no problem with a band changing their overall sound, I think it keeps the music fresh and interesting. But in this case, it was definitely a change for the worse. While I hate to say it, this is just not a good album.

I don't know what's with all the complaining about this album. I am a long-time get-up kids fan, and I think this was a great album for them. It showed immenses artistic depth, a great amount of atmosphere, and very solid songwriting through-out. Unfortunately, they only made one VERY different album after this, and then they broke up on the 4th of July. Definetly my favorite song is Walking on a Wire.

I think the GUKs really set themselves apart from the rest of the bands in their genre with this CD and really shows their talent and creativity. The lyrics are heartfelt and sincere behind the slightly sarcastic facade. the melodies are always memorable and easy to sing to. This CD made me appreciate and love the Get Up Kids so much more. They've also stirred a craving in me for the more slower, acoustic mid-western rock...in which I discovered could be satisfied by their side project "the New Amsterdams". But this CD is great, check it out if you want to listen to something real and different. 5 stars for creativity.

Here is a rundown on the songs..

1. Overdue - 5/5 One of my favorite songs on the album. Very melancholy and the lyrics are piercing. Connects with someone who has gone through much pain, especially in family relationships.
2. Stay Gone - 4/5 More upbeat with catchy melody but the lyrics are still sad and bitter. But somehow blends together for a bittersweet feel.

3. Let the Reigns go Loose - 4/5 Another melancholy song, but the melody flows very well from the beginning. I love the ending where the song turns around to a more brighter, "hopeful" sound.
4. Fall From Grace - 4/5 This also sounds a bit sad, but great melody. Only thing is that Matt Pryor sounds a little flat in the vocals and sometimes even sounds off key.
5. Grunge Pig - 3/5 This is slower and more "heavier" on the electric guitar, but goes well with the lyrics. Has a classic rock feel to it. The lyrics are brutally honest and sincere.
6. High as the Moon - 4/5 Happier, playful sound with catchy guitar riffs.
7. All I Know - 3/5 Sounds like a Beatles song with slightly flat vocals. But it's unique from the rest of the songs on this album, and gives it a different flavor.
8. Walking on a Wire - 3/5 Didn't have enough variation in the melody or overall song to keep me listening throughout the whole song, but it's slowly growing on me. Vocals are great.
9. Wish You Were Here - 4/5 Has a country feel to it but great melody. I heard the acoustic version of this song so now I'm biased to that. Sounds much better stripped down to the acoustic guitar to appreciate the melody and the lyrics of the song.
10. Campfire Kansas - 5/5 Another one of my favorites. I love how the guitar and piano blend together and makes you feel like you're really floating out a raft in the middle of the country. I can close my eyes and almost feel the breeze and it's very relaxing.
11. Worst Idea - 3/5 I felt a little confused about the keyboard in this song. It gives it a Elvis Costello feel, but the vocals and guitar somehow don't seem to blend well together with the keys because it's so dominating when it comes on. Still a good melodic song.
12. Hannah Hold On - 5/5 Another favorite of mine. Simple but sweet. Kinda has a folk sound - like sitting outside on the porch on a farm. But the emotions really come out in the singing.

I guess you could complain that it's not like anything else the Get Up Kids have done, and you'd be right. But, with a CD this perfect, that's not a bad thing. You can't be a whiny 20 year old who can't get girls for your entire life. This CD shows maturity that the band has never embraced, and that may be hard for some to accept, but it makes for one hell of an album.

this cd was recommended to me and is the first time i heard anything by the get up kids. this cd is very good, i can't compare it to their other albums but if you just want a good listening album, buy "on a wire."