The Get Up Kids “Automatic” Video
The Get Up Kids’ new album There Are Rules is the band’s first release in 7 years and with a brand spanking new video things are looking up for the “kids.” “Automatic” is a synthy fun little ditty and when you set the whole thing to a stylistic car wash with a sleeping boy on his first acid trip things start to get interesting. Alright so I made up the acid trip thing, but this certainly puts the car washes of my youth to shame. Enjoy the video below.
MOR New Tunes Playlist: Volume Two
We made it, Episode two of the MOR New Tunes series! Critics are already calling the latest version “One of the Best two MOR New Tunes Playlists to date”. That is an honor that we don’t take lightly.
This latest episode features new music by newcomers The Civil Wars and Tennis, Alt-Country mainstays Ryan Adams, Drive-By Truckers, Ryan Bingham and Justin Townes Earle, and an appearance by the legendary Gregg Allman by way of T-Bone Burnett. Other great tunes come from the likes of Iron & Wine, Hayes Carll, Jessica Lea Mayfield, Smith Westerns, The Get up Kids, Bright Eyes, The Tallest Man on Earth and Lykke Li.
Hop in and enjoy some fresh new tunes.
Don’t have Spotify? Do yourself a favor and download it, it’s free and quite wonderful. Why don’t you follow us while you’re at it?
New Get Up Kids Song “Regent’s Court”
Fresh out of their self imposed “retirement”, The Get Up Kids are back with a new album, There Are Rules, due out in January of next year. The album’s first single “Regent’s Court”, which is streaming below is a nice mix of the band’s early energetic sound and what appears to be a more experimental and synthesized future.
Albums You Might Have Missed – 2002
In the third installment of our 100 Albums You Might Have Missed series we look back at the year 2002. Here are 10 great albums that fell below the mainstream rock radar and are more than deserving of some more air time.
The Anniversary – Your Majesty
Released: January, 2002
Although they only recorded two full length albums and were together for a little under 5 years this Kansas based emo band managed to churn out an LP that still sounds inspired 8 years later. The Anniversary’s second release Your Majesty showed they were not afraid to take chances and trust their instincts as they developed a more mature and intricate classic rock sound mixed with experimental harmonies and keyboards. Jam packed with plenty of solid rockers this album is distinct, ambitious and one not to be missed.
Released: February, 2002
The Raconteur turns in his finest work to date on this straight up power pop record that manages to stay original and fresh throughout. Benson sings about John Lennon and sounds like McCartney on this short and sweet disc full of good time pop tunes.
Coheed and Cambria – Second Stage Turbine Blade
Released: March, 2002
The first studio album released by the prog-rock band Coheed & Cambria introduces their signature recipe of high-pitched vocals, intense riffing and a flair for the dramatic. The concept album is the second part of an epic five part space saga that covers all their studio albums created by lead singer Claudio Sanchez. It’s kinda’ weird, super adventurous and it definitely rocks.
Released: April, 2002
While most rock critics might not have missed this one, I won’t stop preaching this album until everyone I know has given it an honest listen. A near perfect record that pairs sonic experimentation with some absurdly wonderful song writing, all without alienating the casual listener.
Released: May, 2002
Most people say this album killed The Get Up Kids’ momentum gathered from their breakout record “Something To Write Home About”, leaving emotional rock artists like Dashboard Confessional to pick up where they left off. I however commend the band for “growing up” and evolving their sound into a more matured, mellower style full of solid riffs, layered elements and seasoned songwriting.
Released: June, 2002
While this album peaked at #1 on the UK Albums Chart (and was a shortlist nominee for the 02 Mercury Prize), the album (and band) are still fairly unknown here in the States. Full of atmospheric waves, pounding guitars and an uplifting take on melancholy themes, this album remains one of my personal all time favorites.
The Flaming Lips – Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
Released: July, 2002
This album hasn’t exactly flown under the indie press radar as it’s on most every critics’ best of 2002 list, yet it’s “strange and beautiful” nature still has a mysterious quality that has been missed by many rock fans. The album’s lead single “Do You Realize?” probably belongs in a museum but don’t let it keep you from the rest of the trippy unique splendor the rest of the album has to offer.
Interpol – Turn On The Bright Lights
Released: October, 2002
Another indie press favorite of 2002, the debut release from NYC rock band Interpol was a slow-building success and remains the lesser known predecessor of their breakout 2004 album, Antics. Striking and haunting at the same time, the album is clearly dark but manages to cover the ominous emotional landscape with gut-wrenching moodiness, driving beats and and penetrating guitars.
The Hellacopters – By The Grace of God
Released: September, 2002
The fifth album by Swedish hard-rockers, The Hellacopters, showcases the band’s finely tuned vintage style of arena-rock meets metal with a power pop spin. Packed full of lighting fast guitars, pounding drums and melodic grooves, this record was their most successful in their Swedish homeland. It’s ideal for anyone looking to find a “classic” rock sound from a band not collecting social security checks.
Released: November, 2002
His first proper album since 1987′s hit Cloud Nine, and unfortunately the one he never got to hear. Released a year after his death, producer and fellow Wilbury Jeff Lynne teamed with George’s son Dhani to complete the album George worked on until his death. The album is full of the low-key, warm and humorous charm that fans of George have always treasured.
The Get Up Kids – Simple Science EP
The albums that the Get up Kids released in the late 90s came to define an entire genre of music. Their punk meets emo sound became so beloved and synonymous with the band that many fans lost interest as soon as they started to mix it up. Things finally came to a head, and after the disappointing Guilt Show album the band called it quits, leaving the members to disperse into their respective (and rather successful) side projects.
Last year, word of a Get Up Kids reunion tour came out of nowhere, then a new Daytrotter session from the band dropped, and now the band’s first studio recording in six years, the Simple Science EP has been released.
But Simple Science is more than just one EP. It is actually a collection of three EP’s the band will be releasing in 2010. Each release contains four new original songs released on limited edition 12″ and 10″ vinyl (the songs will also be released on CD and on Itunes). The first EP in the collection was released on April 17th(Record Store Day), the second is scheduled for a summer release, and the third for the fall. The recordings feature the full original lineup of the band, including bassist Rob Pope who was unable to join the band on most of the tour due to his commitments with his new band, Spoon.
The new EP isn’t exactly a return to form, but the band’s trademark sound is certainly present in spots. The first track “Your Petty Pretty Things” is the closest thing to an old school GUK recording, and would probably fit right in on Something to Write Home About. The verse in “Keith Case” sounds almost like a Spoon track, building tension around a fuzzy bass line before it is paid off with a vintage Matt Pryor vocal in the chorus. ”Tommy Gentle” falls somewhere between the Blackpool Lights and the New Amsterdams sound, resulting in a cool track that is my favorite of the bunch. Rounding out the record is “How You’re Bound”, the strangely long and largely forgettable closer.
All these years later, Simple Science showcases a fresh and relevant sound from The Get Up Kids. While this release might not be the band’s best material, it should be enough to wrestle up some excitement for the rest of the collection.
The Get Up Kids Announce “Simple Science” EP
First comes one reunion show, then a full blown tour, and now comes word that The Get Up Kids have recorded a new EP. The four song EP will be available in April, and is the first GUK recording in 6 years. The band is releasing the music sans record label, and will be issuing the EP on CD, 12″ vinyl and as an ITUNES download. The Get up Kids are no stranger to the short format EP, as their 2000 release “Red Letter Day” is one of their best recordings to date. Quality over quantity right? One new song that they have been playing during their reunion tour, “All You Petty Pretty Things” is probably one of the four songs that will wind up on the new EP, and a rough version from the band’s Daytrotter session is available below.
Valentine’s Day Playlists – Pro-Love & No-Love
With Valentine’s Day weekend upon us the gang at Merchants or Rock were feeling a little torn about just posting the usual lovey dovey schmoopie moopie playlist for all the lovers out there. That’s why we decided to post two; one for the lovers and one for the people out there wanting to give a big middle finger to Cupid and his stupid little heart shaped arrows (not that there’s anything wrong with that). So on this Valentine’s Day we’ve drawn a line in the sand and asked you to pick a side.
Get Up Kids – Norfolk, VA – 11/4/09
The Get Up Kids have been out of the spotlight since 2005, so the announcement that they would be playing a full reunion tour came as a surprise. Everything seemed so final, the farewell show played in their hometown of Kansas City, the release of the “Live at the Granada” CD showcasing their last show, and the beginning side projects by 3 different members of the band(Matt in the New Amsterdams, Jim in Blackpool Lights, and Rob in Spoon). Seemingly everyone had move on, and yet there we were watching the Get Up Kids rock a live show at the Norva in Norfolk Virginia on November 4th.
I’ve seen the Get Up Kids several times live and they have an uncanny way of getting the crowd pumped from the first to the last song and this reunion show as no exception. They always sound great live, bring a ridiculous amount of energy to the stage and play the songs they know the audience wants to hear. They opened most of their reunion shows with the fan favorite “I’m a Loner Dottie a Rebel,” and before they finished the first line “Come tomorrow I’ll be….” the crowd in Norfolk was shaking their fists and reciting “….on my way back home.” For all we knew it could have been 4 years ago except for the fact that there were only about half the amount of people shaking their fists.
So, with that seamless segway, here comes the bad news, they didn’t come close to selling out the Norva, which only holds about 1500 people and the fans that were there seemed much less enthused about this recent tour. Maybe they have been gone too long, maybe they were just never popular enough to begin with, but with 2 brand new songs on the set list, it looks like The Get Up Kids are interested in a resurgence. The first song they debuted, “Your Petty Pretty Things” is a nice return to the sound that almost made them famous, reminding me of the uptempo catchy tunes found on their near perfect album “Something to Write Home About.” Yet the second song, “Keith Case,” which seemed to me a failed experiment with funky bass lines just simply fell flat and never really went anywhere.
All this being said, I still think The Get Up Kids have a great live sound and some good music to write. So, if you’re a fan of music in the indie/emo/pop punk variety keep your eyes peeled and your ear to the ground, because The Get Up Kids might not be done yet.
Something to Write Home About 10th Anniversary CD/DVD
It’s hard to believe it has been ten years since the Get Up Kids released their emo/punk genre masterpiece “Something to Write Home About”. Not letting this 10 year milestone pass without making a little money off of it, the band has released a special edition version of the album, complete with a live DVD and previously unreleased demo tracks.
The live DVD was shot at the band’s reunion show at Liberty Hall in Lawrence, KS earlier this year, and features the band playing through Something to Write Home About in it’s entirety. The 7 unreleased demo tracks taken from the STWHA sessions will be available via digital download to purchasers of the album.
Despite the popularity of this CD, it was released in the Napster era, and record sales were nothing to write home about(sorry, couldn’t pass it up). Maybe the ten year nostalgia and the addition of the live DVD will amount to good sales for the band. I for one have already ordered my copy.
Here is a trailer for the DVD the record label released:
