This weekend I took the long drive up the California 5.  A dreary drive that was immensely improved by two unhappy children in the backseat who made it their obligation to inform us of their unhappiness every 5 seconds in case we had already forgotten.  One of them even used the kid-version of backseat wolf-crying by alerting us to a coming waterfall of vomit…causing us to pull over to a 7-11…only to find out it was a false alarm and more like a false warning as our child then somehow convinced us only a Slurpee would quiet their complaints.  It worked but only for about 15 minutes.  But after 4 hours of screaming…that 15 minutes was gold.  We made this 14-hour trip all for the 2-hour reunion of old friends, which was cut short because everyone had to get home to their babysitters.

This week sees not one but two big reunion releases.  (Also see:  Gang of Four – Content)  But the Get-Up Kids was one just waiting to happen.  They never seemed really happy being on their own. It’s only been 7 years since their last proper release…but it’s a welcome return.

Here are the 11 Best Songs By The Get-Up Kids:

1.  Mass Pike (Red Letter Day)

2.  Overdue (On A Wire)

3.  Is There A Way Out (Guilt Show)

4.  Out Of Reach (Something To Write Home About)

5.  Action and Action (Something To Write Home About)

6.  Walking On A Wire (On A Wire)

7.  Shorty (Four Minute Mile)

8.  Dark Night of the Soul (Guilt Show)

9.  Holiday (Something To Write Home About)

10.  Let The Reigns Go Loose (On A Wire)

11.  Up On the Roof (Eudora)

Buy the new album by The Get-Up Kids – There Are Rules….now!!  (only $3.99 for a limited time)