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On A Wire Image
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 7 Ratings

  • Summary: The third LP for Kansas City's Get Up Kids follows after endless touring with the likes of Weezer and Green Day, and sees the emo band moving in a new direction, thanks in part to producer Scott Litt (R.E.M.).
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 11
  2. Negative: 2 out of 11
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    This is the group at their best. [31 May 2002, p.108]
  2. Just below the surface, all the quintessential Get up Kids qualities are there: melody, intelligence, and lyrical sincerity.
  3. Uncut
    80
    They mix wistful, hook-laden rock songs in the vein of Counting Crows, Five For Fighting, The Gin Blossoms, The Posies and Pete Yorn with the proto-emo sound of Sunny Day Real Estate. [Aug 2002, p.104]
  4. What the Kids lack in pep this time they make up for with honest, homey performances.
  5. Alternative Press
    70
    Unfortunately, the visceral energy of their early days is lost in their newfound maturity. [Aug 2002, p.71]
  6. On a Wire quivers with the anxieties that must have arisen as the Get Up Kids left behind what originally made them.
  7. So, yes, these songs have melodies and choruses, but they are so trite and played-out that even the fifteen-year-olds that this is written for will smell something fishy in their neatly packaged emotional escapism.

See all 11 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 1 out of 5
  1. Colin
    Aug 14, 2002
    10
    Why is everyone so upset over this album. Did you expect it to be faster than 4 minute mile? They have been slopping this way from the start Why is everyone so upset over this album. Did you expect it to be faster than 4 minute mile? They have been slopping this way from the start and i love it. the bass is amazing, the lyrics are intelligent and it took a lot of talent to do this record Expand
  2. K8
    May 2, 2005
    10
    This albumn is unforgettable. It's mature lyrics are intelligant, not to be confused with slow or boring. The instruments are used in a This albumn is unforgettable. It's mature lyrics are intelligant, not to be confused with slow or boring. The instruments are used in a way that is amazing. I simply adore it. Expand
  3. JonathanH
    Jan 24, 2006
    8
    an amazing album from amazing bands. nothing they've done before or since stands up to this album. great song writing, great an amazing album from amazing bands. nothing they've done before or since stands up to this album. great song writing, great proformance, and great choosing of a producer (scott litt). it sounds new, elcectic, and thoughful while not loosing the whisicle and fun bounciness that the get up kids are known for... now if only the guilt was half this good. darn you bad reviews!!! Expand
  4. daven
    Sep 22, 2006
    7
    Get Up Kids have gone soft on our asses, with mixed results.
  5. Ian
    Apr 16, 2006
    0
    go buy one of their other albums, even their last rocks harder than this.