Makes you want to say Mmhmm!!| Posted May 19, 2008
One of the most popular bands in Christian music (and spreading to mainstream music) really began to pick up speed with their fourth studio release, Mmhmm. Pop/punk/rock band Relient K blends all of their talents in a creative, funny, and sometimes intense effort that really set them apart.
The very first song on the album starts off with a bang, “the one I’m waiting for” puts their pop punk act together in a creative group of melodies and guitar riffs. The first hit single (in a barrage of them) “be my escape” is a excellent rock song which changes tunes several times during the song, including twice in the chorus. The best part is that is changes smoothly also. The next hit single “high of seventy five” is a clever punk song which moves nicely. If there is a gem on Mmhmm, it is “I so hate consequences” the extremely fast paced rock song, which has a flawless tune and slows down perfectly at the end leaving the listener a feel of a beautiful ballad.
Releint K gets a laugh in with “The Only Thing Worse Than Beating a Dead Horse is Betting on One” which is incredibly fast paced song that doesn’t even break two minuites. “My girls ex boyfriend” is nice pop/rock tune but it feels a little out of place leading up to that point because it’s not that strong (comparatively). The album slows down with “let it out” which is a very good ballad. “more than useless” is a good punk track but it does not have the same fire that others on the record has the same goes for “Maintain Consciousness”.
The hardest song on the album, “Which to Bury, Us or the Hatchet” incorporates a little screaming (a first for the band) but the song is good, has good song writing and it’s a stand out song. The hit “Who I Am Hates Who I've Been” is a fast paced, upbeat rock song which is spectacular but it’s still pretty impressive. The impressive punk that is so refined is displayed on creative “this week the trend” which moves very quickly. The sequel of a earlier song, “failure to excommunicate”, “Life After Death and Taxes (Failure II)” is almost as good as it’s the first one as it’s edgy rock makes it a highlight. The final song “when I go down” is a long ballad which is stirring.
Relient K hasn’t always take itself seriously in the past, but on Mmhmm the band goes a little deeper. Redemption is a big theme on “who I am hates who I’ve been” and on “I so hate consequences” which has the powerful lyrics ‘There your words they caught my ears You said/I miss you son. Come home’. But even on the more comical songs, clever song writing surfaces. A perfect example is this “week the trend” (‘And I just want to get mugged at knifepoint/to get cut enough to wake me up/Cause I know that I don't want to die’) and “The Only Thing Worse Than Beating a Dead Horse is Betting on One” is just funny.
Even songs where God is not on the scene there are still good lessons. “The one I’m waiting for” cautions against bad relationships and encourages listening to others, while “Which to Bury, Us or the Hatchet” is about repairing friend ships. “Let It All Out” encourages putting trust in Christ even though it’s not easy (‘the end will justify the pain it took to get us there’). Tracks 3, 5, 6, and 12 the lyrics are very solid and sometimes spectacular with “be my escape” leading the way.
Original tunes, creative lyrics, and good vocals all equals a huge amount of fun on Mmhmm. Is Relient K’s CD perfect? No. is the CD worth all the hype. Yes.
Relient K Hits Gold and Oil In The Same Album| Posted July 11, 2007
Relient K axed its old image and created a new one, minus a guitarist, plus two, bringing the lineup to five. Gone are the direct mentions of God, opting to design lyrics to mean either God, or a girl, depending on what you figured it. Most of Relient K's core fans saw the move as a sell out and a desertion of the band's roots. Departed are the pop culture references and in with themes of girls, breakups, forgiveness, and reconciliation. Most noticeable though, is the band's shift to more punk and hard rock.
This time the highlight is "The Only Thing Worse than Beating a Dead Horse Is Betting on One," a thinking man's song, a lyrical tour de force, a summarization of politics, and a caution toward the future. "Just listen to the politician wishing his position wasn't missing everything his heart would like to say. And the constant in the constitution is that there can't be one solution, it'd be so far from the truth that we would hate it anyway. Opinions are immunity to being told you're wrong; paper, rock, and scissors they all have their pros and cons. And all of us we will endure, just like we always have. But you just can't be too sure how long this will last. Cause we control the chaos, in the back of our minds our problems seem so small. But they grow on us like gravity. But gravity still makes us fall."
The only problem with the album is there's little originality; it's been done. That said; Relient K does it better, with construction of songs and substance of messages conveyed. Overall, a stellar rock album that fulfills with its well thought-out finality.
MMHMM| Posted March 02, 2011
MMHMM has definately got to be my favorite album from Relient K. I mean I LOVE their music, but I think their greatest songs came out in this album, they didn't change their style er screw up a song. My favorite song from this album in particular has gotta be 'Who I am Hates Who I've Been', and I love the lyrics in 'Give Until there's Nothin Left'. Think it was so cool how they used the Uke in one of their songs too, not very many bands I listen to do that, I think they were able to pull it off and it came out nice with that song. When I bought the CD I didn't even preview it or anything I just went out and got it and I'm glad I did! I recommend this album 100% to any Relient K fans out there, and this band to anyone who likes random punk rock bands, truely one of the best! :)
Amazing| Posted August 06, 2010
This album has SO many good songs on it that are either upbeat and filled with joy or slow and inspiring. This is classic Relient K right here and one of their best cds.
Who Says Thank You? Just say MMHMM!| Posted October 22, 2009
Don't miss out on this amazing album! Relient K has never before this album nor after it had such an amazing, raw punk sound that is just such an awesome experience. Yes Be My Escape is on this album, and yes it has been played out. But that fad is over, so listen to it now and try to convince yourself it's not one of the greatest hits by Relient K. It's not even the best song, there are so many, such as One I'm Waiting For and Life After Death And Taxes. These songs will blow your mind. If you don't have any album by Relient K, get this one because it truly has one of the best sounds that they have had in any albums!
mmhmm| Posted August 28, 2009
Relient k is amazing. They are one of my favorite bands. I believe this is one of there best records. this is one of the first christian rock cds i bought. My favorite songs are be my escape, who i am hates who ive been, and life after death and taxes. Love their music; can't wait to hear more!
The Peak of Christian Music| Posted August 18, 2009
Relient K is the most predominant Christian Bands out there. Having hit singles like "Devastation And Reform", "Must Have Done Something Right" and many more have peaked in the secular Billboard Charts. Relient K proves that Christian Music doesn't necessarily need to have the words "God" or "Jesus" in the lyrics to be a hit Christian song.
Relient K's 4th full length album, "mmhmm" may just yet be one of the best album that Relient K has put out yet. You may be asking "isn't that a very bold statement considering Relient K has put out some awesome albums?" Well after giving this album a listen alongside all of the other Relient K albums, in my opinion this is the most refined work that Relient K has put out.
"mmhmm" shows how much Relinet K has matured as a band losing some of their punk flavour and heading towards a Pop/Rock sound. Long time Relient K fans won't be disappointed by this sound change because it suits Relient K very well.
Starting the album with "The One I'm Waiting For" you can tell the boys, from Canton, Ohio, are no amateurs. The arrangement of the song flows so smoothly that some may not realize the song changes tempo from the verses to the chorus. Even the lyrics have developed, "I'm still waiting for/You to be the one I'm waiting for". You can tell that Relient K has come a long way since the 6 years the band formed.
Probably the biggest hit from "mmhmm", the second song "Be My Escape" will have you pressing repeat for just that song. The catchy lyrics, and guitar riffs blended with Thiessen's skillful piano playing just makes the song.
Songs like "High of 75", "My Girl's Ex-boyfriend", and "More Than Useless" prove just how skillful Relient K is at writing lyrics that are both witty and relate-able to the listener.
As I said previously, Relient K proves that Christian songs don't necessarily have to have the words "God", "Jesus" or the like to be considered a Christian song. Well the songs "I So Hate Consequences", "Let It All Out" and "Who I Am Hates Who I've Been" prove just how modern their sound is while still maintaining a spiritual aspect to the lyrics. "I So Hate Consequences" is a cry out that when we sin we hide from God because the consequences are hard to deal with. Even though we hate the consequences that come after we need forgiveness, we need to only seek it from the Lord.
Some may argue that Relient K possibly can't top their previous album, "Two Lefts Don't Make a Right...But Three Do" and that "mmhmm" shows little growth from the band. But in my opinion, where Relient K missed in "Two Lefts..." "mmhmm" hits it out of the park.
Guaranteed this is an album worth buying. It might even be safer to buy two copies because your first one will be worn out from the amount of replay you'll use on this album.
I give this album a big 4 1/2 stars out of 5 because of the refined sound that Relient K has developed that can appeal to both the secular and Christian music community. As with every band improvement can be made but this is as near as perfection will come from any band. With their haunting 3 part harmonies, witty lyrics, skillful instrument combination and the odd percussion instrument included, Relient K has made an amazing album that will appeal to many fans and new listeners of Relient K.
Highlights: "Be My Escape", "Who I Am Hates Who I've Been", "Which To Bury, Us or the Hatchet", "I So Hate Consequences", "Life After Death And Taxes (Failure II)".
FANTASTIC| Posted July 02, 2009
Relient K is amazing- and thier songs prove it. This album has so many wonderful songs on it. Really fun to listen to - anytime, anywhere, with anyone. They seem to capture a large audience with thier music, which is good. Be My Escape, Who I am Hate Who I've Been, Which to Bury; Us or the Hatchet- all really good songs.
Great Album!| Posted May 26, 2009
This album is one of my favorite albums of all time! The only song that wasn't all that great was My Girls Ex-Boyfriend. Great Album! 'Be My Escape', 'High of 75', and 'Who I Am Hates Who I've Been' are all great songs
MmHmM| Posted October 30, 2008
I was addicted to this cd and I still listen to it pretty often.Even after being out for a few yrs now,mmhmm is still a great cd. Relient K has turned out to be an awesome band,despite all the naysayers. My fav songs are I so hate consequences,more than useless, and Which to bury,us or the hatchet.
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