The Get Up Kids - There Are Rules

^There Are Rules Amazon Link^

The band first teased the release of an album in the summer of 2009. The band posted photos on their Twitter  showing them working in a recording studio. At this time there was much speculation as to whether or not the band was working  on an album. While they were on the European leg of their reunion tour, TGUK confirmed that they were writing songs and would be playing at least one of the them on the tour. During a session with

Next, the band's front man, Matthew Pryor confirmed that they have recorded nine new songs, and will be recording another twelve to release on three 7-track EPs, most likely on limited-run 12" vinyl.


Then, On February 15, 2010 the band announced that they would be self-releasing a new EP entitled Simple Science, their first studio release in six years. The 4-song EP was released on 12" colored vinyl and CD in April.

On October 29, 2010, The band officially announced their fifth full-length studio album, There Are Rules, to be released on January 25, 2011. It was also released at that time that the album would not be released on Vagrant Records, the label that had been the band's home for their past three records, but on their own Quality Hill Records. The album was produced by Ed Rose, who has worked with the band many times before, and mixed by Bob Weston, the producer of the band's album, Four Minute Mile. Several of the tracks were recorded during the same session as the Simple Science EP, the track "Keith Case" appears on both releases.

The Verdict

The album is a step in a new direction for the band. They traded in their soft melodic sounds for something noisier and edgier. They have written an album that incorporates that sound's of all of their side projects creating a new sound. The band has come back with new energy. I enjoyed the album very much and like where the band is going. The new edgier sound adds a layer to their work that was missing before. I hope to see more releases like this from the band.

Listen to...

Rally Around the Fool - Nowhere on the album is the bands new darker sound more apparent   than this morose tune that opens up with noisy and ends beautifully. This song would not have fit on any album    the band has released thus far. 

Keith Case - Loved it when the band released it on their Simple Science EP and still enjoy it now. The song gives a sense of the energy that the band brings to the table when writing songs. The lyrics and sound play together perfectly to make for a great song.

When It Dies - This song starts off with powerful drums screeching guitar and softly sung lyrics and swells into a torrent of sound. I listened to the song twice in a row because I enjoyed it so much.

The Rating: 4/5

The album is a step forward for the band, but that is not to say that this step is in any real direction. The band comes up short when it comes to showing any real direction on this album. The album is easy to listen to and well written, but the songs do not seem to fit in any way. The band has made an important step and I hope to see where it takes them in future. For now I am happy to listen to this album.

What had to be spoken was.

Kevin Devine - Nervous Energies Session

Bad Books Debut Album

I have already spoken once before about the amazing artist that is Kevin Devine. Today I was browsing around and stumbled across this set that he did for Nervous Energies. The set includes four songs, 3 of which are off of his upcoming album, and another which is a song taken from Kevin's side project Bad Books. The band is comprised of all of the members of Manchester Orchestra with the addition of Kevin and featuring Ben Homola on drums (Thanks Ashley). The band melds the styles of both acts (Kevin Devine and Manchester Orchestra) to create a sound that is neither one nor the other. Their debut, self-titled album,  is a staggering work that gives me hope for the music that the group will make together.

Now, as for the 4 song set that Kevin played at Nervous Energies the set consisted of the songs, Between the Concrete and Clouds, Luxemburg, and 11.17.10 all from his upcoming release, Between the Concrete and Clouds. Kevin also played the song You Are a Mirror I Cannot Avoid from Bad Books' debut album.



The first track of the set, I posted a video of last week and is titled, Between the Concrete and Clouds. This version is a stripped down acoustic. Kevin sings the song in a very personal way and really conveys the lyrics to the listener through his emotional performance. This song makes me excited to hear the full release of the album.






The next track was another unreleased track off of the upcoming album called, Luxemburg. This song is right at home in Kevin's catalog of songs. The song has a sweet melody and a slow tempo. The lyrics are especially captivating as has become the standard for Kevin's songs over his career. The song tells a story that only Kevin could convey. Filled with regret for past mistakes and past loves. This is truly a great song.







The third song that Kevin performed for his set is titled 11.17.10. This was my favorite of the three songs off of the upcoming album. The song has a powerful tone that takes hold of the listener and does not let go. The video speaks for itself.







The final song of the set is titled, You Are a Mirror I Cannot Avoid and is from the Bad Books debut album. This song is another acoustic to fill out the set. Kevin kills the song. Let the video speaks for itself.








The speaker is.

Manchester Orchestra - Song Premiere!

Simple Math The Title Track!

Some of you may know about this band from their last release, Mean Everything To Nothing. This album was explosive for this Atlanta based band. Their sound combines the energy of rock with a softer indie tone. The result is noisy at times, melodic mostly, and excellent always. I was lucky to have caught on to this act early with their release of the album, I'm Like A Virgin Losing A Child with its release in 2006. The six song debut speaks for itself.

Now for the exciting news. The band is debuting a song off their upcoming album Simple Math tomorrow at 12 noon on the Red Bull Facebook page. The song they will be premiering is titled "April Fool". The event was release on the band's Homepage. The blog has gotten me excited to get another taste from the upcoming release on May 10, 2011.

Here is a picture of Andy Hull,

 

The speaker hath spoke.