There is good punk, there is bad punk, and there is punk so bad that only a mother could love it. Which, when you think about it is kind of funny, since I haven't heard reports of throngs of 30+ mothers at any punk shows lately. After several years of hanging around local clubs that let punk bands in, I've become accustomed to plugging my ears and waiting for the agony to be over.
This is not the case with Relient K. Their self-titled debut album was a success. The boys from Ohio wowed us with their above-average songwriting skills, a tendency for instantly hummable tunes, and a well-developed sense of humor.
The band is true to these characteristics with their sophomore release, The Anatomy of the Tongue in Cheek. If you're not paying attention, you'll miss their trademark humor right off the bat in 'Kick Off.' This slightly self-deprecating introduction is the perfect beginning to a CD. It contains all the ingredients that made the band successful in the past, and leaves the listener ready for track two. 'Pressing On' begins with a nice guitar riff, and doesn't let up after that.
The following track is the radio friendly 'Sadie Hawkins Dance,' which allows the listener to reflect on the anxiety before the dance and all the fun that accompanies a normal day in high school. The next track deals with the problems Christians face when they begin to fight amongst ourselves. It is a compelling call to arms.
No album is perfect, and the main problem on the album is one that is inherent in punk music. If you don't avoid certain chord combinations, the songs all start to sound the same. Don't get me wrong, I like the album, but just listen to 'Pressing On' and move directly to track 10, 'I'm Lion-O'. The choruses sound eerily similar. The only other drawback is in 'These Words Are Not Enough,' where the chorus is repeated so many times you begin to wonder if a CD can skip that many times.
Otherwise this is a very solid disc and a lot of fun to listen to.
Other coverage for this album
The Rebel Base 2002Reviewed by Mark BakerSometimes, the best way to prove a point is to use an irony or sarcasm. When the prophet Nathan confronted David about his sin, he used an analogy. Relient K uses some of these techniques to make their truth-filled lyrics make a greater impact on listeners. Relient K's sophomore album, The Anatomy of the Tongue in Cheek hosts 17 impressive songs that mock clichés such as "Maybe It's Maybelline,"…The Rebel Base 2002Reviewed by Josh HurstWhen Switchfoot released their third album, Learning to Breathe, many critics commented on how much the band matured between their sophomore album, New Way to Be Human, and their new one. They were right, too- Jon Foreman's lyrics were deeper, the band's playing was more skillful, and the production was sharper than anything Switchfoot had done before. Well, it appears that pop/punk outfit…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Brian A. SmithRelient K bills themselves as "sublime, silly, and sacred." They definitely succeed on the silly and the sacred--whether or not they achieve the sublime is up to the listener to decide. Their music can best be described as an amalgamation of punk and pop, their sound like that of Goldfinger crossed with "Weird" Al Yankovic. Matthew Thiessen (vocals/guitar), Matthew Hoopes (guitar), Brian Pittman…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Matt WilliamsThe ever-graying borders of musical genres have been blurred once again, this time on Relient K's sophomore release, The Anatomy of the Tongue in Cheek, an album showing tremendous growth since their debut. Easily labeled as a "happy-music punk band" on their self-titled debut, Relient K has kept their fun loving, tongue-in-cheek nature readily available on ...Anatomy..., but has also opted to…Similar sounding releases
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