People (aka the general public/media) don’t take hardly anything that comes out of the genre of Christian rock seriously. It’s hard to blame them at times. Many of the bands in the genre are terrible and generic, but then again isn’t that the case with EVERY genre? (Answer: Yes, yes it is.) The biggest knock on Christian rock falls under the lyrical department. Lyrics by these groups are often either very religious (which many feel weird about listening to while rocking out) or just plain corny.
Relient K is an example of a band that began as a successful band within the Christian rock circle, but failed to gain any respect outside of that group. Even the best of the band’s early work (like the mindbogglingly infectious “Sadie Hawkins Dance”) was very cutesy and failed to connect with the mainstream. However, Relient K’s fourth album, 2004′s Mmhmm marked a huge step forward for the band. It marked the departure from songs that were gimmicky (like “In Love With The 80′s (Pink Tux To The Prom)” or “I’m Lion-O”) or overtly religious (“Down In Flames”). While the first three albums were very “teenage,” it is clear lead singer/guitarist/pianist Matt Thiessen and company grew up quite a bit while making this record.
The first thing that sticks about Mmhmm is out is how Relient K’s is able to mix up the musical sounds from track to track. “Life After Death And Taxes” has a heavy, more serious sound while “Maintain Consciousness” muses on A.D.D. with playful pop punk sound. “The One I’m Waiting For” features quick punk drumming which contrasts “Let It All Out”‘s gentle and layered piano and vocal harmonies (though the song does drag on a bit too much for it’s own good). The band’s versatility can be heard on a track like “Who I Am Hates Who I’ve Been” which features 6 distinctly different guitar parts, each of which feels completely natural to the song’s progression. Another thing the band does well transition between quick guitar and slow piano, usually on songs’ outros (“Be My Escape” and “I So Hate Consequences” to name a few). The band may rely on this a bit too much, but it’s hard to argue with what works.
Thiessen’s improvement as a lyricist is also noted. The keys are a shift from a juvenile to a more 20-something focus and the way he is able to maintain his upbeat choirboy sensibility on every track (even when screaming). “Which To Bury, Us Or The Hatchet?” showcases this. With solid pacing (and a nifty little banjo riff), the song tackles the problems with a relationship gone sour in an atypical way. The chorus of, “No I don’t hate you, don’t want to fight you. You know I’ll always love you, but right now I just don’t like you,” underscores a nice guy bitterness that fits Relient K, but also is a nice change from the normal bemoaning break-up song.
The more depressing songs, like “When I Go Down,” sound like anthems of sorrow designed for goody two-shoes girls who lack anything seriously depressing in their lives, but, then again, that is Relient K’s target audience. Even “High Of 75″ which features the album’s cheesiest lyrics (which compare all emotions to weather) is carried successfully through because of the sincerity with which Thiessen’s lyrics are delivered.
Mmhmm should be used as a blueprint for other Christian rockers who want to strive for greater relevancy outside their core demographic. Relient K was able to mature both musically and lyrically without abandoning anything the band stood for. The result is an album that is great no matter what label you slap on it.
Review Score: 8.5
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