To: Adam
Love: Dave
Date Sent: 2/6/2019
The Get Up Kids – Something To Write Home About
Release Date: September 21st, 1999
I know, Adam. You do not enjoy this band. But hear me out. This album brings me back to high school, but having been released in 1999, I like to think that I had listened to it in 8th grade. Let’s agree on that so I can feel really, really cool. The guy’s voice is, let’s say… unique. Somehow, for me it works. I have listened to their other albums and they have not resonated with me, but there is something about this album that makes me feel very warm inside. When I plead with Testa to give Minus the Bear a chance, he always denies me. But I believe he speaks the truth when he says that music takes an emotional hold on someone that makes them feel or hear something in a band that maybe others do not. I want to disagree with that statement because GOD DAMMIT, objectively speaking, how can anyone not like Planet of Ice?
This album may have a special place in my heart because of the memory of the people I was around when it came out and how we listened to it on repeat. But when I think of my early high school album collection, this is one of the top 5 that I can remember. This and Korn: Follow the Leader. So you know, take that with a salt shaker or whatever the saying is.
If you listen closely, I believe this band uses a synthesizer ala The Doors that makes a lot of different noise that normal rock bands do not have in their repertoire. The uniqueness of that sound helps set this band apart from others that were making music in the late nineties/early aughts. Even as I listen to this album again in 2019, knowing EVERY word to each song on the album STILL (how is that possible? Music, man…. music), I can honestly see why you wouldn’t like them. Very different, less than perfect sound heightened by the annoying voice. But Adam, this album is listenable straight through. It is not on par with other albums that I love or others sent in this email chain, but there is something there. The music is crisp. The drummer gets it. And the piano combined with the synthesizer/guitar work makes for pretty legit music in the background. The Get Up Kids do a little bit of everything, showing their musical range from the harmonizing of background singers, “rock outs” in Ten Minutes or Company Dime, to love songs in Valentine and Out of Reach. They are more than what the Vans Warped Tour promoters would have you think.
I am still bitter that we didn’t go to their 20th anniversary tour of this album when they played in Carrboro. It hurts. Like not seeing Mae in Colorado pain. My favorite songs on the album are tough to pick. Each song has its own value to the album that stands out to me. I find my heart hurting when I listen to Valentine, but I do love Company Dime and Holiday. Out of Reach deserves love too. I feel like this album has Saves the Day written all over it for you, but I hope you find a song or two worth writing home about!
Adam’s Reaction:
To both your surprise and mine, I actually enjoyed this album. First off, they are leagues above Saves the Day. The lead singer’s voice is not what we would consider normal, but it definitely works for the overall sound of the band, as I feel may be the case for most of the frontmen of the bands we listen to (i.e., Spoon & Minus the Bear). I support Testa’s statement regarding the emotional and/or sentimental value placed on a song or a group. I would say that, even for me, songs like Holiday, Action & Action, and The Company Dime provide a bit of that for me, considering that I recognized these songs from our youth. However, it is worth noting that in the beginning of ADAMANIACS (brother playlist), your addition of The Company Dime left nearly zero impact on me because when taken out of the context of the full album, I do not like how whiny he sounds.
I like the comparison you draw to the sound of The Doors. While I might go as far as to actually strike you for ever mentioning The Get Up Kids in the same breath as The Doors again, I believe you are right. The production and layout of this album is what leaves me wanting to listen again, as opposed to the nostalgic or emotional aspect, The Get Up Kids provide for you. In actually listening to this album straight through, they do separate themselves from the mold of a typical pop rock/punk/alternative (?) group from the time period. I like the songs you mentioned in your email, but my favorite is Long Goodnight, followed by a close second favorite in Close to Home.
The Favorites:
Adam: Long Goodnight
Dave: Valentine