Today, the Get Up Kids released its long-awaited new album, There Are Rules. Fans looking for more of the group's heartbroken Midwest emo-rock might be disappointed; the album is full of askew keyboard-pop and ragged post-punk. Anyone who gives Rules a chance, however, is going to find a gem: "Automatic," with its whooshing keyboards, insistent beats and jittery vocals, sounds like early XTC. (See the video below.) "When It Dies," meanwhile, meshes Bowie-spooky glam with angelic vocals and "Birmingham" is a two-minute distorto-punk shove. You can order Rules (and other Get Up Kids stuff) here.
In the meantime, A to Z has a couple of prizes to give away: One grand-prize winner will get There Are Rules on LP and limited screen-print cover CD, and the Simple Science EP. A runner-up will get There Are Rules on CD. To enter, leave a comment with your real name and email address, and what your favorite Get Up Kids song is - and why. This contest closes Thursday at 5 p.m. and winners will be notified on Friday. Good luck!
Get Up Kids, "Automatic"
