Makes you want to say Mmhmm!!
Posted May 19, 2008
By Nathan,
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. View All Music And Book Reviews By Nathan | View Nathan's Profile
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