In general, I do not care for mainstream music acts a whole lot. Sure, I like a few popular bands, like dc Talk and U2, but most of the bands that I listen to are fairly obscure and low-key. One would think, then, that I would not be very impressed with Relient K, the best-selling new rock artist in Christian music last year.
Interestingly enough, however, I do enjoy Relient K. Their live shows are top-notch, the band's lyrics are fun and witty at times and thought-provoking at others, they successfully reference a lot of pop culture icons, and their melodies are catchy. Their self-titled debut album is an impressive first effort, but is it perfect?
Not by a long shot. For one thing, the garage band sound is a bit too raw and, at times, monotone for me, and though the men of Relient K are all talented musicians, the guitar riffs and drum beats are a little stale and repetitious. These flaws keep the album from being as good as the debut from Luna Halo, also released in 2000, but with time, hopefully, Relient K's sound will mature a little.
Other than the aforementioned blemishes, Relient K's first project is both fun and interesting. Opener "Hello McFly" makes clever references to Back to the Future, and though the song will make no sense to those who have not seen the movie, the song is fun and has a surprisingly thoughtful message. "My Girlfriend", which sparked a mild controversy when the record was first released, has an insanely fun, catchy chorus and some great vocal swagger from lead singer Matt Thiessen. Throughout the album, Relient K mixes their raw pop/punk rock sound with almost N'Sync-ish vocal harmonies, keeping the sound interesting.
A hysterical rendition of the Charles in Charge TV theme song and the sarcastic "17 Magazine" follow the fun trend of "Hello McFly", but Relient can be serious at times, too. "Softer to Me" has a sobering message, despite the references to Wendy's and Matchbox 20, and "Softer to Me", by far the darkest song on the album, talks about hardships and struggles, and finds Thiessen admitting that his demand for less pain is "a selfish plea" in light of Christ's death on the cross.
For the most part, Relient K's first album is a good one. There is definitely room for improvement, but as debuts go, Relient K is definitely one of the most promising to come along in a long time.
Josh's Score: 3.5/5
Other coverage for this album
The Rebel Base 2001Reviewed by Mark BakerRelient K, the increasingly popular Christian pop/punk band's first album, which is self-titled, contains hoards of hooks and plenty of edgy rock, making them more accessible and diverse than typical punk bands. Their harmonious vocals and happy-go-lucky songs such as "When You're Around", "Charles in Charge," and "17 Magazine" attract the pop-lovers. Punk music lovers should enjoy the harder…ReAL Magazine 2000Reviewed by Shawna T.The great thing about Christian punk music is that usually the CDs are so upbeat you feel happy and gooey when you listen to them. Relient K's self titled debut is no exception. Matt Theissen, their lead vocalist and guitarist, even said they want to "show kids that Christians can have a lot fun." A notable difference between Relient K and most punk bands, however, is that Relient K sings with…Exit Zine 2000Reviewed by James M. BranumAs I was strolling through the local Christian bookstore recently, a CD cover plastered with an interesting sticker immediately caught my eye. The sticker proclaimed in big bold letters, "popular punk rock-n-roll for the modern teenager." "Hmmm..." I thought. "Why should that make someone want to buy the CD? And how could it be popular if it just came out?" These questions perplexed me, so I gave…The Phantom Tollbooth 2000Reviewed by Kerry MaffeoDespite valiant efforts of the band to steer clear of the punk-rock label, Gotee Records' relient K's self-titled debut album is just that. While it certainly has elements of modern rock and pop, the album has a definite MxPx feel to it. Lyrically, the release has all the elements of the new wave of punk-rock. Light, often humorous, yet with an edge of truth, characteristic of the genre.…The Phantom Tollbooth 2000Reviewed by Andy ArgyrakisThere's nothing special about the ordinary band Relient K, who despite their budding enthusiasm, add minimal substance to the world of punk music. Granted, they have uplifting lyrics that appeal to pre-teens and the youth group crowd, but they still have a long way to go as mature artists in the genre. Relient K is a direct copy band of those like MxPx and Blink-182, and at times on the album,…Similar sounding releases
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