Disco de At the Drive-In: “Relationship of Command [Japan Bonus Tracks]”

This very hardworking band finally hit the jackpot with this astonishing album. After six years of playing in dreary bars to audiences measured in the single digits, and a series of tragically ignored indie albums and EP's, At the Drive-In have delivered a masterpiece with this album. This hard-to-categorize band mixes hard-driving, no-nonsense hard rock with liberal doses of punk, some grunge and metal, and even a little goth in a few places, with masterful musical chops and mesmerizing vocal arrangements. Ignorant critics and listeners who can't describe anything without making comparisons have mistakenly equated this band to Rage Against the Machine, which is inaccurate at best and insulting at worst. Singer Cedric Bixler's voice naturally has a tone similar to Rage's Zack de la Rocha, but that is merely a coincidence and is a hideous reason for comparing the two bands, both vocally and musically. Bixler is an infinitely better singer than Zack (who can hardly even rap), and Bixler sings with true emotion and passion that is extremely rare for a rock frontman these days. Also, comparisons to standard nu-metal make me want to puke. The key to understanding this album is to stop trying to figure out what it slightly sounds like, and realize that Relationship of Command is in its own category.

The best aspects of this album are Bixler's incredible vocals, along with the gut-wrenching backing screams by guitarist Omar Rodriguez. Drummer Tony Hajjar and bassist Paul Himojos are relentless and to-the-point, while Rodriguez and Jim Ward deliver intricate and dramatic guitar interplay. Bixler's lyrics are dense with allegory and metaphor, and you may spend years trying to figure out what he's talking about in many of the songs. Never mind the cranks who criticize the lyrics for being too dense or wordy, and accept them as intelligent, challenging, and thought-provoking. The best tracks here include "Sleepwalk Capsules" which contains stupendous vocal arrangements (by Bixler, Rodriguez, and Ward); the dramatic "Quarantined;" and "Arcarsenal" and "Non Zero Possibility" which are overflowing with emotional power.

As a heavy collector who buys 40-50 new CD's each year, this is my favorite of 2001. I am very upset by reports of this band's breakup (or hiatus). Let's encourage them to get back together.

Before Cedric and Omar were pushing the boundaries of music nearly to the extremes in the Mars Volta, they were blowing minds in At the Drive-in. To categorize their music is nearly impossible. They've most commonly been labeled as "punk", but that's hardly even scratching the surface. Truth be told, this is a sound that was nearly unique unto itself. The closest comparsion one could perhaps make is Fugazi, but even that is misleading. Either way, you're probably not going to be prepared for this on the first listen.

Now, since the Mars Volta have gotten fairly popular these days, especially among fans of progressive rock, I suppose it'd be fair to make the comparison. While TMV fit somewhat into the prog category, with their huge epic compositions and technically audacious musicianship, I would not quite put ATDI into this same category, at least not quite as squarely. While the music here is highly sophisticated, experimental, and unpredictable, it doesn't really achieve what most would call a "prog" aesthetic. The songs generally aren't that long, and the musicianship is much more closely rooted to the song itself. However, it's not to say that this is necessarily more straight-forward. If you love the explosive oddness of TMV, then you'll most assuredly love this as well.

Describing the songs is basically useless. From one second to the next, this album takes you on a thrilling journey of pure alien madness. From the raw psychosis of "Arcarsenal" to the spacious atmospheres of "Invalid Litter Dept.", this is definitely an album of extremes. But, even in its softer and more tranquil moments, it never gets particularly "normal". Songs like "One Armed Scissor", "Pattern Against User", and "Rolodex Propaganda" are surprisingly catchy, but are still far from being tailor-made radio hits. The album ends appropriately enough with the powerful rocker "Catacombs", which finally culminates with a finale of electronic beeping. At the end, you get the same sensation of having your brain removed, rearranged, and shoved back into place as you do with the Mars Volta, but much more focused and compact.

The point is, you need this album. Anyone who enjoys original, bizarre, daring music simply can't be without this. And, if you like TMV, but perhaps think they're a bit too excessive musically, you'll really love this. But either way, this is essential.

I cant even describe the feeling I get while listening to this cd. you cant even put At The Drive-In into a specific genre. there are not even any filler tracks on this album, you can sit back and enjoy all of it.

1. arcarsenal-wow, talk about a great opening track, i love all of the guitar work in this song. even tho i dont understand the lyrics to much, i sitll love it, one of the best on the album. 9/10

2. pattern against user- another great track, i love the chorus on this on, and the intro. 7.5/10

3. on armed sissor-surpirsingly, even tho it was their first single, its not one of the better songs on here, still good nonethenless. 8/10

4. sleepwalk capsules- dang, one of my favorite on the whole album, just all around great, very catchy. 8/10

5. invalid litter dept.- my 2nd favorite track on the album, the chorus is probably one of the best ive ever heard in any song. 10/10

6. mannequin republic- my least favorite song on here, if there is such a word as fillers, this is one, just not very good at all. 5/10

7. enfilade- atdi redeems themselves with this great song. this is my 3rd fav. on here. i love the chorus and all the instrumentals in this song. 9.5/10

8. rolodex propaganda-this song has a very weird intro, which would turn off most listeners, but once you get past weird intro, the song is truely a work of art. 8.5/10

9. quarantined- this is it, best track on the cd. one of the best songs ever in my opinion. everything about this song is great. the chorus, the lyrics, the guitars. and i love the little bass solo intro with the thunder and lightning. 11/10

10. cosmonaut- another great song, with big shoes to fill right after quarantined, but holds its own. 8/10

11. non-zero possiblity- very weird song, kinda errie, im glad they made a song like this. its a great ending track.8/10

well everyone go out and get At The Drive-In's relationship of command, one of best cd's, and pick up their other two cd's as well.

I can't even come remotely close to putting how I feel about this cd into words. This cd is already in my top 3 favorites of all time. Maybe even my all-time favorite. I instantly fell in love with the cd, every song is so unique and fragile. The word "perfection" doesn't do this album justice. I have been listening to this cd for the past two months non-stop. All day, every day. I can't get enough of these guys. They are complete and utter geniuses and they probably don't even know it.

My picks off the album are Non-Zero Possibility, so emotionally incredible, Rolodex Propaganda, just an amazing song that I can't get enough of, Arcarsenal, fast and furious with a vulnerable side, One-Armed Scissor, the first single, can't go wrong with this song, Invalid Litter Dept., a song with a sad meaning also the next single/video, Enfilade, very fast and catchy, Quarantined, excellent song, Pattern Against User, good song to be moving around to.

Pick this album up, you can't go wrong with it! :)

This is the 2004 Fearless Records re-issue which contains the bonus tracks "Extracurricular" and "Catacombs". Originally released in 2000 on the now defunct Grand Royal Records, this is the final album released by this amazing band. In my opinion this is a great album made even better with the addition of the previously mentioned bonus tracks. As sad as it is to see one of the most inovative punk bands of all time call it quits, at least they did it at their pinnacle. This album has all the power, energy, and emotion you've come to expect from ATDI, with the added bonus of better recording quality, making all the little quirks and layers more audible and the over all sound is richer than ever. Ever changing and always progressive, this album takes it all to the next level and beyond. A must have for anyone who is a fan of loud, kinetic, dynamic, powerful, and beautiful music. This is arguably their best album, but also their most commercially successful and their only major label release. I own (as in purchased the actual albums not downloaded replicas) over 500 CD's and records and my collection would be empty without ALL the At the Drive-In albums. Buy this Album.

**After their break up in 2001 members split to form the bands Sparta (ATDI:rhythm guitarist, basist, and drummer) and the Mars Volta (ATDI: vocalist and lead guitarist). These bands are worth a listen as well.