The Get Up Kids - Problems

Erinnert sich noch jemand an Emo? Was Mitte der 80er Jahre als Emotional Hardcore begann, ging in den 90ern mit Bands wie Jimmy Eat World oder Weezer in den Alternative/Indie-Rock über, um in den frühen 2000ern mit Dashboard Confessional, My Chemical Romance oder auch Fall Out Boy auch in den Mainstream und in die Charts einzuziehen.

The Get Up Kids, ein Quintett aus Kansas City, waren zwischen 1995 und 2005 mit vier Alben involviert, auch wenn der ganz große Chart-Erfolg ausbleiben sollte („On A Wire“ (2002) und „Guilt Show“ (2004) erreichten auf dem Vagrant Label knapp die Top 60 der US-Charts).

Nachdem man sich kurzzeitig aufgelöst hatte, fanden Matt Pryor (Gesang, Gitarre), Jim Suptic (Gitarre), Rob Pope (Bass), Ryan Pope (Schlagzeug) und James Dewees (Keyboards) Ende 2008 wieder zusammen und veröffentlichte mit „There Are Rules“ (2011) ein neues Album. Platz 124 in den USA dürfte ihr neues Label (Quality Hill) nicht zufrieden gestellt haben.

Letztes Jahr gab es mit der „Kicker“ EP (auf Polyvinyl Records) ein erneutes Lebenszeichen der Get Up Kids und nach 8 Jahren Albumpause gibt es mit „Problems“ nun eine neue Platte der Band, die von Peter Katis (The National, Interpol) produziert wurde. Neben der hellblauen Schallplatte kann man auf der Bandcamp-Seite noch Exemplare der limitierten 180-Gram Pink/Light Blue Starburst LP käuflich erwerben.

Bei Metacritic steht „Problems“ tatsächlich deutlich besser dar (80/100 Punkten) als die drei vorherigen Alben, die in die Charts einziehen konnten. Offensichtlich hat die Pause den Get Up Kids gut getan:

Every song on this album is strong, starting from the compelling opener, “Satellite,” which firmly establishes the return to the classic Get Up Kids style which is as strong of an opener as “Holiday” or “Man of Conviction.” “The Problem is Me” is one of the bounciest, catchiest pop songs that The Get Up Kids have ever put out. “Lou Barlow” starts and ends as a tribute to the Dinosaur Jr. bassist, and in the middle it fills in as one of Matt Pryor’s classicly angsty emo songs. “Fairweather Friends” succeeds thanks to perhaps drummer Ryan Pope’s best performance to date, giving an absolutely electrifying performance. “The Advocate” is a welcome return to the experimental style of On a Wire rather than the over-experimentation of There are Rules. And, while the first three Get Up Kids albums were notable for their excellent closing tracks, that sort of ended with Guilt Show’s mediocre closing track, “Conversation.” On Problems, they return with another strong ballad of a closer in “Your Ghost is Gone” and, while it may not be on par with “I’ll Catch You,” it’s certainly on par with “Michele with One L” and “Hannah Hold On.”
(Punk News)

Problems opens with "Satellites," a headbanger that opens with soft acoustic guitar before kicking into an anthemic chorus that's reminiscent of '90s pop punk. Lyrics about feeling anxious and isolated even in a crowded room are instantly relatable.
 "Salina" and "Fairweather Friends" are absolute standouts; the guitar work is flawless, a fuzzy bass line is warm and inviting and pairs perfectly with the bright guitar riffs — the interlude is utterly magnificent. (…)
The Get Up Kids have a talent for writing catchy and infectious hooks and choruses and it's what has kept them on the map for over two decades. Both old and newer fans will find songs they enjoy and hopefully never stop listening to on Problems.
(Exclaim)

Most of the record jabs and punches like a heavyweight on the comeback trail with tracks like "The Problem Is Me" or "Fairweather Friends" sounding like the work of a band with lots to prove and little time to do it. They charge through the verses with purpose and blast into the verses with a feverish glow that cuts through the noise of the day and forces the listener to take notice. The songs that dial down the energy still have a tightly wound emotional core that comes through in the aching vocal harmonies, the swell of the keys, guitar solos that threaten to tear up speakers, and Pryor's intimate, everyman tone. The band at its best never relied on speed or noise alone to get the point across, and songs like the lovely midtempo melancholy ballad "Salina" or the tightly wound "The Advocate" have the same kick as the faster songs and maybe a little more emotional impact.
(All Music)

The Get Up Kids in Deutschland:
21.05.19 Wiesbaden, Schlachthof
22.05.19 Berlin, SO36
23.05.19 Köln, Luxor