Reggie and the Full Effect Songs Not To Get Married To Release Date: 03/29/05 Score: 8.4 out of 10.0

Reggie, Reggie, Reggie. The Get Up Kids spinoff is now on its own with the demise of TGUK. But alas, Reggie is back and better than ever. It's harder, softer, emo-er and equally as funny as ever. Common Denominator and Fluxation have new singles, and Reggie has a slew of new tracks that range from hair band butt rock to 80's new wave synth pop. It's a splendid collection, really.

While the first half of the album is mostly loud bangin rock with screaming vocals, it still is appealing. Alot of it is nothing new in terms of musical aestethics with other punk rock bands of today, but James Dewees and company have a way of making their sound edgier, and just better sounding. Maybe it's the cheesy, funny lyrics, or the expert use of the keyboard that Dewees masterminded while backing the Get Up Kids -- Who knows? It just sounds good. Listen to "Get Well Soon" and you'll see what I'm talking about.

It's no surprise that Reggie was moving towards a heavier sound. Indications from their Lord of the Bling collection of tunes showed nothing less. Louder, guitar driven anthems are nothing super unusual but it's not one of Dewees's stronger suits. So when the interlude "Guess Who's Back" (reminiscent of them "Drunk Girl at the Get Up Kids show") ends and James Dewees completely takes over with his blend of synth pop, its magic. True magic.

"Take Me Home Please" is about as close as you can get to a New Wave reprise. Sure, the Killers, Bravery, and the like have done a good job imitating the 80's, but none have actually made a sound that actually sounds like it did in the 80's as this song does. On first listen, you'd think it was straight from 1982, but then you'll read the track listing and it'll say REGGIE AND THE FULL EFFECT. But who knows? Maybe Reggie recorded it in 1986-1989 -- he seems to have a greatest hits collection from then! This is catchy, and this is fun. It'd be hard to find a more catchier song than this one in 2005.

"Thanks for the Misery" throws you a Joy Division-like sad endearing song that has some of the most depressing lyrics around. The whole structure and ambience of the song is almost a knock off of "Atmosphere", of the final songs written by Ian Curtis and the band that later became New Order. It's equally emotional, and equally intelligent.

"Playing Dead" continues the depressive act, but "Laura's Austrailian Dance Party" is a very well done break-beat instrumental that splits the two latest singles from the Reggie-spawned Fluxation and Common Denominator.

The Brit-New Wave duo Fluxation's latest, "Love Reality" is another synthpop gem that has a killer melodic bass line and some of the freshest lyrics on earth. Imagine some really corny pickup lines... and then make them cornier. Ya. "Its a long reality to buy into a cash money girl."

And finally, the one thats more awaited... the newest song from Finnish Death Metal band Common Denominator. "Deathnotronic" is stunning, though not on par with "Dwarf Invasion." Still, it's a very catchy tune with more keyboard synths than a death metal band should have.

James Dewees is still one of the most imaginative minds in the music world today. His production and keyboard skills are top notch, and this is another great representation to Reggie and the Full Effect and the entire Get Up Kids family. Well done.

-Anthony Nguyen
May 30, 2005