the latest @altpress issue [sleeping with sirens cover] has in the last article a comment about @relientk’s “who i am hates who i’ve been“….likened to a ben gibbard-sung sum 41 track. bummer. who i am… is easily, so easily one of the best tracks in the relientk catalog.
around the time of Two Lefts Don’t Make A Right… But Three Do, the old relientk known for goofy lyrics and 80’s and 90’s nostalgia transitioned out of adolescence and into one of the most fast-growing pop punk staples i’ve ever seen. song after song of witty, truthful lyrics layered comfortably over growing musicianship and expanded instrumentation made Mmhmm one of the greatest albums i’ve had the pleasure of owning. [i gave it to my then girlfriend, which converted her to a relientk fan. i miss it, and i miss her, but it was worth it.] topped with powerfully energetic live shows, relientk took growing up in stride.
after Mmhmm, two rock-solid albums have followed: Five Score and Seven Years Ago, and still the greatest breakup album of all time, Forget and Not Slow Down.
if you haven’t heard either of these, they are highly, highly recommended. this ohio five-piece hasn’t gotten where they are on power chords and cheesy lines. they’ve earned every screaming fan with 14 years of tireless writing, recording, touring, and honestly, just growing up.
the priceless acoustic version that altpress mentioned is here:
http://bit.ly/s9e3yU
it’s every bit as good as they say. trust me.