By Paul Bowers
On November 2, 2004, diehard devotees around the country jumped in their cars and headed out to support a great American institution: Relient K. For some, Election Day was highlighted not by the ideals of democracy and suffrage, but by the release of a new CD simply titled “mmhmm.”
For those not familiar with the band, Relient K is a rock/pop/punk quartet from Ohio, and this is their fourth full-length release. They’ve been described as “snarky” (something between witty and cynically sarcastic), and the word fits the band perfectly. Cranking out songs like “Marilyn Manson Ate My Girlfriend” and “Sadie Hawkins Dance,” they’ve become masters of the tongue in cheek. Snark abounds in the latest album, but the guys have also reached a higher level of musical and lyrical maturity.
Over the years, the group has become a staple in the Christian Rock scene, combining a worthwhile message with fast, catchy tunes somewhere along the lines of blink-182 or Jimmy Eat World. But before you turn the page, be reminded that this isn’t your average group of “I pierced my nose because I hate the world”-type snot-nosed kids. Their music transcends stereotypes of genre and subject matter, creating a sound that borders on hyperactive while staying firmly rooted in innovative musicianship.
“Mmhmm” is a fitting title; the album is likely to elicit exactly that response from longtime listeners. So what’s new for Relient K?
The first thing that will strike fans as odd is the mix of energetic punk anthems and pensive ballads. On previous albums, they focused on their trademark fast-paced sound and threw in a couple acoustic songs. Oftentimes on the new album, though, they switch between the two extremes mid-song. The transition is flawless, as shown in the song “Which to Bury, Us or the Hatchet,” which runs the gamut from a rambunctious, all-out chorus to a Matchbox 20-esque verse to a brief emo moment to a soft banjo riff. And all in about four minutes.
The weather-themed song “High of 75” also showcases the band’s flexibility; the drums in the chorus are frighteningly reminiscent of a techno/rave beat. In the pretentiously titled “The Only Thing Worse Than Beating a Dead Horse Is Betting On One,” probably the group’s loudest, fastest song, the guitar riffs transform without a hitch from heavily distorted power chords at breakneck speed to soft, understated acoustic work.
The band’s newfound versatility shines through every track, creating an emotional rollercoaster of musical styles. Some purist RK fans would complain that the commercially successful band is selling out, but in reality they have reached a new peak on the mountain of Rock: They’re experimenting, shaking things up, and having a darn fine time doing it.
But despite the changes, this is still the same group of fun-loving cats. The CD really captures the feeling of the band’s live show. Relient K puts on an incredible concert, with antics including Christmas songs in August and a life-size, crowd-surfing plastic buffalo named Dermike Mabado. And the crowds love it, screaming along to every smirk-inducing lyric.
It will be interesting to see Relient K perform the new songs; a couple switch abruptly from electric guitar to beautiful piano solos. Yes, Virginia, they’re playing the piano in a punk band. And it’s not half bad.
Still, amidst all the instrumental ingenuity, the lyrics retain the minty fresh flavor put forth in previous albums. Words have always been the band’s strong suit, and the lyrics sheet will no doubt receive a few good readings.
Staying true to the band’s roots, the song “Who I Am Hates Who I’ve Been” begins with “I watched the proverbial sunrise/ Coming up over the Pacific/ And you might think I’m losing my mind/ But I will shy away from the specifics.” Following suit, in “Maintain Consciousness,” part of the verse goes, “We took prescription drugs, but look how much good that did/ Well I think I had a point, but I just got distracted.”
But the songs aren’t just strings of oxymoronic observations and one-liners. Many explore subjects of real spiritual depth. This is no calloused, jaded punk band; they have many heartfelt moments of frankness before God. On the thirteenth track, the chorus goes, “There’s life after death/ And taxes/ And forgiveness comes/ Then all of the rest is what passes away/ Death and decay can’t touch us now.”
In the song “I So Hate Consequences,” the band leaves no question as to their beliefs, singing, “And when the doors were closed/ I heard no I told you so’s/ I said the words I knew you knew/ Oh God, Oh God I needed you.”
Lead singer and guitarist Matt Thiessen reflects on his childhood dream of being a rock star, saying, “After those 30 seconds of absolute rebellion, I submitted to the respected aspiration of being an astronaut.” In a warped sort of way, this characterizes the unorthodox attitude of Relient K. They don’t want to be the next Good Charlotte; they’re not doing this for personal gain. They’re in it for God, and they’ve got the Rock ‘n’ Roll know-how to back it up.