The Get Up Kids

So I was skeptical about a new GUK record in 2019. As I previously stated, Four Min Mile and Something to Write Home about (and Woodson of course) are all time favorites of mine. I was young when I first heard them 23 plus years ago, but I still enjoy them to this day. I can confidently say that Problems beyond exceeded my expecations, and after several repeated listens, stands as one of the best in their entire catalog. Somehow they managed to re-capture the magic from their 90s era sound, not too different from the emo-punk anthems found on Something to Write Home About but with more versatility and maturity. This album could have been the natural progression from Something to Write Home About had it come out in 2001. Huge hooks, sing along anthems, full of emotion and energy, it reminds me of everything I loved about this band when I first heard them. I hear a lot of Superchunk influence, some Replacements, and lots of classic Get Up Kids. Both Matt and Jim's songs on this release deserve your full attention. Holy shit, what an unexpected return to form and to their roots. Old school fans are going to love this album, and I wouldn't be surprised if they picked up a bunch of new fans discovering them for the first time. Can't wait to catch them on tour and sing along to all these new and old classic jams! Welcome back guys, and hoping this is not the last we hear from you!