I like emo. It gets in my gutty-wuts and makes me feel. In my own personal music wasteland Knapsack, Mineral, and Christie Front Drive top the list; whereas The Get Up Kids fall somewhere in the middle. They are so very far from bad, but I think these kids have some growing up to do (musical growth that is).

This latest release is definitely more mature than their first, but there's still something missing. At least on the E.P., the vocals aren't completely lost in the haze of grungy guitars, which don't sound all that clear in the first place. I'd be willing to bet that we can expect great things from these guys in the future--I think that their very best is yet to come. But, until they realize their full potential, I guess we'll have to settle for Red Letter Day, which I'm sure will do nicely.

To sum it all up: for an emo band, think these guys could improve. But for The Get Up Kids, this is the best it's ever been. Look with shining eyes toward the future when they release another full length opus--it'll knock your whiney-ass socks off.