Guilt Show
The Get Up Kids · 2004
45 min · 13 tracks · alternative rock
A dynamic interplay of emotional intensity and melodic hooks, blending punk energy with introspective lyrics.
Top tracks — play these first
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Never Be Alone — The track showcases a blend of vulnerability and catchy melodies, highlighting the band's ability to encapsulate complex emotions within an accessible framework.
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Martyr Me — With its poignant lyrics and soaring chorus, this song stands out as an anthem of self-reflection and longing, embodying the album's central themes.
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Is There a Way Out — The closing track encapsulates the album's emotional journey, featuring a slow build-up that culminates in a cathartic release, leaving listeners with lingering questions.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends emotional lyrics with melodic hooks, showcasing growth while maintaining its emo roots.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album maintains a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces more varied tempos and dynamics.
- Several tracks feature layered guitar melodies that create a rich harmonic texture, particularly in 'Martyr Me' and 'Sick in Her Skin'.
- The lyrics often shift between personal introspection and broader themes, with a notable focus on emotional conflict and resolution.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic emotional journeys
- reflective, introspective moods
- gradual builds and payoffs
- long, immersive listening sessions
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — This album incorporates mature themes and experimentation, evolving their sound.
- Career context
- Guilt Show is The Get Up Kids' fourth studio album, released after their 2002 record On a Wire. At this point in their career, they were navigating the challenges of evolving their sound while maintaining their emo roots, marking a significant transition in their musical direction.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Jimmy Eat World· The Starting Line· Brand New
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Man of Conviction 1:33
- 2 The One You Want 3:15
- 3 Never Be Alone 3:17
- 4 Wouldn’t Believe It 3:47
- 5 Holy Roman 2:50
- 6 Martyr Me 3:26
- 7 How Long Is Too Long 2:24
- 8 Sick in Her Skin 4:25
- 9 In Your Sea 3:02
- 10 Sympathy 3:09
- 11 The Dark Night of the Soul 3:01
- 12 Is There a Way Out 6:20
- 13 Conversation 4:56
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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