Welcome back readers! Last week I informed you that I was dedicating my feature to the incredible Get Up Kids because I could not contain my excitement at seeing them play a reunion show at the Blender Theatre in New York City. Well, the show was amazing, the set was chock full of old and new favorites, and the crowd was left wanting more. I’m still intent on sharing cover rarities from their Eudora (2001) album and have a few more choice ones for your listening pleasure. While I continue riding the second wave emo goodness, feel free to enjoy Under Cover: The Get Up Kids collection, Part II.
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.“Regret†cover (original: New Order)
Mama always said “Beware of kids who don’t like The Get Up Kids.” Okay, fine she didn’t really say that, but I’ve learned that anyone who loves the GUK as much is usually a person worth knowing (and loving). Apart from soundtracking my entire college career, their seminal emo-meets-indie rock sound borrows heavily from 80s downer pioneers and front runners, such as New Order. Paying homage on their compilation record Eudora (get this, it rocks), the GUK put out their own version complete with their signature style: knob-twisting, whiny vocals and background yelps, keyboards, ambitious guitar, and they close out their track with this upbeat synth I can’t get enough of. This track is a must for your collection if you dig the GUK, New Order, covers, or just great music.
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.“Alec Eiffel†cover (original: Pixies)
Raw, loud, unrefined, energetic, raucous, and any other word that properly captures the magic of this song will apply. One of my favorites off the Pixies‘ incredible Trompe le Monde, it seems the Get Up Kids love this track almost as much as I do. They totally nailed all the intricate guitar riffs and this cover definitely earned its spot on the Pixies’ tribute album Where Is My Mind? This version, much like the original, makes me want to spin around the room and mouth the ever-cryptic lyrics (are they applauding the Eiffel tower, or making fun of it? The jury is still out on this one) until I get dizzy, only to listen to it once again. I love all the background vocals and how they fill out the chorus, adding more depth to the song. Not only did they do the Pixies justice (a feat in and of itself), but they created one of their most memorable cover tracks to date.
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.“Impossible Outcomes†cover (original: Metroschifter)
“Unavoidable, it’s inevitable, our eyes, hearts, words are evidence!” If you asked me four years ago about a Get Up Kids reunion tour, I would certainly have thought it would be the most impossible of all “Impossible Outcomes.” This Metroschifter cover is actually one of my favorite GUK songs and sadly I’ve never heard it played live at any of the handful of shows I’ve been to in the last seven or eight years. I even screamed at the reunion show for them to play this song and singer Matt Pryor actually said into the mic “What?” while smiling, but didn’t really acknowledge the request. He said they had a pretty tight set list, unfortunately. I’m not sure if it’s the strained vocals, the tempo, the frenetic guitar, or the keyboards, but when they come together with lyrics that tug at the heartstrings (“My dreams aren’t premonitions because I’m dreaming, I’m dreaming of… impossible, impossible outcomes!”), it’s pure indie rock magic.  Truth be told, the lyrics are what mostly get me each and every time. Whenever they sing the part that goes “But in her eyes I can see it all, short plaid skirt, white short short-sleeve shirt,” I always secretly wish they were referring to me.
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The Get Up Kids: website | myspace
I love The Get Up Kids. I heard they’ve been doing shows recently, which is awesome.
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