On a Wire is the third studio album by American emo band the Get Up Kids on Vagrant Records. Released three years after their breakout sophomore album Something to Write Home About, On a Wire was a massive departure from the band's established sound, eschewing the brighter pop-punk that helped define emo as a genre in favor of a darker, more adult sound inspired by 70's rock bands like Led Zeppelin.

Reception to the album was extremely divisive, and is widely seen as having derailed the band's career just as emo was starting to break into the mainstream with contemporaries like Jimmy Eat World and Dashboard Confessional receiving extensive radio play. However, in the years since, the album has been re-appraised, with many praising its complex songwriting.

Background and recording

After touring extensively to support Something to Write Home About, the band was looking to depart from their high-energy powerpop style in lieu of a slower, more mellow sound. In 2000, vocalist/guitarist Matt Pryor moved to Boston, Massachusetts, and drummer Ryan Pope moved to Los Angeles, California. As a result, the members only saw each other when they embarked on tours. By the end of the year, they had managed to fit in ten rehearsals, writing eight songs in the process. Their goal was to write 30 songs, which they plan to whittle down to 12. Following this, the group received a number of tour offers that they accepted, such as opening for Weezer and Green Day.

Unlike the band's previous work, which they played extensively at live shows before recording, On a Wire was written entirely in the studio, leading to a much less energetic sound. The group eventually reconvened in Kansas and wrote new material for their next album. Soon afterwards, they accumulated 25 songs. The band compiled a list of potential producers for their next album. Scott Litt approached the group after liking the demos he heard. The rest of the album was recorded in January and February 2002 at Tarquin Studios in Bridgeport, Connecticut with Litt

Musically, the album's sound has been classed as alternative country, americana and indie rock, Bassist Rob Pope said they wanted to make an album that was less "guitar-rock-oriented", opting to focus more on the songs' arrangements. Pryor said most of the songs were "sort of questioning where you're at and what you want to do and ultimately coming to the conclusion that you've got to be happy with what you're doing." The following month, the band performed at Skate and Surf Fest. On April 25, 2002, "Overdue" was made available for streaming through an e-card on the band's website. On a Wire was released through independent label Vagrant Records on May 14, 2002. In May and June, the group went on a headlining US tour with support from Hot Rod Circuit, the Jealous Sound, Rhett Miller and Audio Learning Center. The video had a tiny bit of success, receiving a few late-night plays on MTV and was in rotation for a week at MTV2. The band spent a week at home, before going on an east coast US tour in June and July with Superchunk and Hot Rod Circuit. After this, they performed "Stay Gone" on the Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and appeared at the Fuji Rock Festival in Japan. The tour was to include shows in Italy, Switzerland and Amsterdam, but were left out due to time constraints. but had to cancel. Further European shows were planned but also abandoned due to scheduling conflicts, resulting in the band staying at home. They played a few Midwest US shows in November and December, In February and March, the band toured Japan, Canada and the US; they played with Hot Rod Circuit and Moneen. A music video for "Stay Gone", directed by Brock Batten and Jonathan Green, was released on the Vagrant Records Another Year on the Street Vol. 3 compilation in June 2004.

Reception

Critical reception

On a Wire charted at number 57 on the Billboard 200 However, many fans were upset with the concerts, since many of the songs on the album did not fit well with the band's usually energetic live show.

Fan response

Despite moderately positive critical reception and modest sales, fan response was largely dismissive and angry.

In 2019, Pryor recounted "I think when we made On A Wire, we thought we were confident, but we were actually just arrogant. 'Oh yeah, everyone's always liked what we do, so they're gonna totally understand why we're doing a complete 180.' And some of them didn't!"

Years later, Pryor acknowledged the effect the shift between Something to Write Home About and On a Wire had on their fan base in an interview with New York Press: "I feel like the way that we rolled out On A Wire was kind of abrasive and confrontational. I think it was very polarizing to our fans. We were kind of like, 'This is what we do, fuck you guys.' But hindsight is 20/20; I learned from that experience."

Over time, fan reception to the album has warmed. Speaking in 2019, Pryor said "I've been making the joke for a while that On A Wire is our Paul's Boutique where it's like … [it] didn't do well when it came out, but now, [fans say] 'Oh, it's my favorite record!' That's not what you said in 2002!"

The Get Up Kids

  • Matthew Pryor – lead vocals, guitar
  • James Dewees – keyboards, vocals
  • Jim Suptic – guitar, vocals
  • Ryan Pope – drums
  • Rob Pope – bass

Production

  • Scott Litt – producer, mixing
  • Peter Katis – engineer, additional mixing
  • Jamie Duncan – mixing assistant
  • Carl Nappa – digital editing
  • Stephen Marcussen – mastering
  • Ed Rose – additional creative input <small>(track 1)</small>
  • Travis Millard – artwork
  • Joby J. Ford – art design

Charts

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!Chart (2002)

!Peak<br />position

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References

Citations

Sources

  • Fudge Factory Comics – Artist Travis Millard's website.