Relient K

These guys are the grandmothers of the present pop-punk scene: they’re lovable, have been around forever, and are appreciated and useful members of their community – meanwhile most of their peers are pushing nothing but never-ending bowel movements.

Five Score and Seven Years Ago is a solid pop-punk record in which the band showcases their familiar style with upbeat, sing-along tracks that vary in tempo, but are consistently well written. In contrast to a lot of the Warped Tour drivel being released, Relient K manage to pack enough substance into their music to just sneak into the realm respectability, despite having a fairly formulaic approach to song-writing. Of course, they’ve added a few new piles to their familiar musical foundation to avoid being redundant or boring.

“I Need You” has the band adding some aggression to the tried, tested, and true method, which includes a huge chorus that sticks with a listener like the floor at Phil’s. “Forgiven” and “Give Until There’s Nothing Left” are standard quality tracks that really encompass Relient K’s back catalogue well.

Of course, like grandma in her florescent jumpsuit and fanny pack, there’s some stuff on here that will make you cringe, but can ultimately be forgiven. The lyrics are, for the most part, extremely juvenile and hard to take seriously, despite being well intentioned and interlaced with clever wordplay. “Faking My Own Suicide” is an example of how the poetry can be cheesier than a yeast infection. However, it should be noted that it’s not Relient K’s religious lines on the lyric sheet that poison the well, so Christian fans needn’t fret.

All in all, if the listener can take a pop-punk album for what it’s worth, this one is a lot of fun. Grandma would be proud.  [ END ]

Track Listing:

01. Plead the Fifth
02. Come Right Out and Say It
03. I Need You
04. The Best Thing
05. Forgiven
06. Must Have Done Something Right
07. Give Until There’s Nothing Left
08. Devestation and Reform
09. I’m Taking You With Me
10. Faking My Own Suicide
11. Crayons Can Melt On Us for All I Care
12. Bite My Tongue
13. Up and Up
14. Deathbed

Run Time: 51:12