Search - Relient K :: Mmhmm

The Opposite of Redundant

Loughstein, J.E. | 09/23/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Relient K is, and always will be, misunderstood. Like that reviewer that just couldn't understand the meaning of the words that the band was trying to get across.



I'm sorry, but there's no play here... no double meanings. The album is a very specific view of certain aspects of the Christian reality. No, it's not always posies and jellybeans... the toughest part of Christianity is yourself; and THAT'S what Relient K brings forth on this, their fourth release.



The song "Let It All Out" is a song where the narrator realizes everything that God has told him: "And You said: 'I know that this will hurt... but if I don't don't break your heart, things will just get worse. If the burden seems to hard to bear, remember: the end will justify the pain it took to get us there.'" What does this mean? Simple: If we want to please God, we need to stop sinning. Sin is human nature, so, it's hard and painful to go against your very self. However, the price of sin is death. So, we have choice: we go through some tolerable pain in exchange of an eternity of joy OR we don't negate our nature in an exchange of eternal death. So, God has to "break ouor heart" otherwise "things will just get worse." It's a voluntary and rewarding trajectory because it will all be worth it when we sing in Heaven. Heaven is the "end" that "justifies the pain it took" to get there.



With phrases like "...the beauty of Grace is that it makes life not fair [...]", refering to the grace of God, this album is deep in it's meaning and fun in it's music. A must buy for any good music fan."

Not a complete change, but definite improvement

Rissa | Walnut, CA | 05/04/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm overly obsessive over Relient K as any of my friends would know, but when I first heard this album, I was completely blown away. Not only did they go through major growth musically, but they also matured drastically as well. Each song has a deeper meaning that is completely different from the former Mood Rings, Sadie Hawkins, Pink Tux RK that everyone had known before.



1. The One I'm Wating For 9/10 - Good opener, but not the best song on the album. It's kind of hard to find it's meaning, but definitely catchy.



2. Be My Escape 10/10 - The first single on the disc. It was pretty obvious that this song would be the first single as it's probably one of the catchiest songs that can relate with everyone.



3. High of 75 9/10 - Very catchy. Even though it reminds us of the old, silly Relient K from the "Two Lefts.." CD, it does have an emotional meaning behind it dealing with emotional crisis and God's role in that crisis.



4. I So Hate Consequences 10/10 - One of my favorites in the album with its hard riffs and creative lyrics that catch everyone's eyes leading to everyone singing along.



5. The Only Thing Worse Than Beating a Horse is Betting On One 7/10 - Seems a bit as a filler song, but it's fast, catchy song with lyrics that are a bit hard to understand.



6. My Girl's Ex-Boyfriend 8/10 - A catchy and funny song that remind us of the old RK that sang silly songs with a hint of a message of appreciation if not mockery towards the former suitor.



7. More Than Useless 9.5/10 - Definitely a must listen on the album considering its catchy riffs and obvious message of hopelessness and purpose in life. You'll find yourself tuning to this one for quite awhile.



8. Which to Bury, Us or the Hatchet? 10/10 - This song reveals the most maturity in its tone and lyrics. The hard riffs and beats provide a darker tone, one of best songs on the album. It's also the first song written by RK showing dislike towards a person.



9. Let It All Out 6/10 - A bit of a let down compared to the rest of the album as it calms down. Seems like a 4-minute-long filler, but it does have a sense of forgiveness to continue from the last song. I tend to skip this one, but I do listen to it occasionally.



10. Who I Am Hates Who I've Been 9/10 - Witty lyrics and catchy riffs that make it a specific one to listen to. Showing regret to previous actions, it does contain a message like many of the other songs, but with a bit of the old RK tone in it.



11. Maintain Consciousness 8.5/10 - It's a funny and short RK song that tends to remind me of my brother. Nothing to hate about this song, although it seems a bit pointless.



12. This Week, The Trend 9/10 - One of my favorites because of the message behind it dealing with individuality. It's catchy and I had it stuck in my head for quite awhile.



13. Life After Death and Taxes(Failure II) 10/10 - Another one of Relient K's harder songs(first time there's been more than 1 included) that deals with afterlife. The addition of Dave's background lyrics add a certain flare to it.



14. When I Go Down 9/10 - A great way to end an album. It combines a soft, calming melody with a theme of personal regret and pain. It combines acoustic with electric showing Relient K's overall achievement and maturity.



Overall, this album is one that is definitely at the top of my CD 's. It's one that I'll never get bored of with its catchy riffs and lyrics. Christian or not, it's one everyone should have. Relient K's maturity is definitely shown and no one should miss it."

Matured, consistent, and ready to make a breakthrough

Rissa | 01/19/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"first of all im not really a kid i just really wanted to write a review and i didnit want to sign in. and before i start this review, if your not into stuff like fall out boy and simple plan they you dont really need to read this review or buy this cd.



its taken them awhile but relient k has finally come through with an album is matured and consistent. i own all of theyre albums but this is the only one i would give 5 stars. theyre all decent but in their 3 most recent this is the only one with at least 10 plus songs that are good. the anatomy of tongue in cheek had sadie hawkins dance which is still one of my favs but that was it. 2 lefts dont make a right had mood rings, falling out, and in love with the 80s which were all pretty good but once again failed at a complete album. in this album they get more serious and the music gets seriously better.their 2 singles, be my escape and who i am hates who ive been, are both incredible but theyre are about 3 or 4 other tracks that arent far behind. i so hate consequences, which to bury us or the hachet, more than useless, and life after death and taxes are all great songs even though they will probably never receive any mainstream radio play. this album, and more importantly "be my escape" has defintly gotten this christian band mainstream exposure but they will need theyre next album to be a real good one if they want to cement theyr place in the mainstream aside bands such as fall out boy and simple plan. i personally think they are better than both of those bands (dont ignore my review because of that comment)this isnt really my prefered genre(punk,emo,pop)of music, im more of a hardcore/metal kinda guy, but this band is just to good to ignore, especially if you are a christian, which i am (jesus, you rock harder than anybody, and i love you)but especially dont ignore this band b/c theyre christian or else yur gonna miss out cuz these guys are pretty sweet. as i final comment this is definitly the best relient k album so buy this one before you buy the others."