Disco de Relient K: “Apathetic EP [EP]”

I've been a big fan of Relient K from the very beginning. These guys hail from Canton, Ohio. Being from Ohio myself, you tend to here about local bands from the area on the rise. These guys stared on Christian radio, and only got limited play. Album by album, these guys have managed to escalate into the mainstream. It has been fun to see these guys mature over the years, and they have developed into an amazing band. This election day, they released the "Apathetic EP", which is the first music we've heard from them since last election day, when "MMHMM" was released.

1. "The Truth" (5/5) - This song is the typical RK sound, and continues with "MMHMM"-style lyrics about how we tend to ignore the painfully obvious truth at times.

2. "Apathetic Way To Be" (5/5) - This has been out for a while now. However this is the first time it has been released on a cd. This also has the typical Relient K sound that fans are used to. The song addresses the apathetic attitude we all struggle with at some point or another.

3. "Be My Escape (Acoustic)" (4/5) - Good stuff, but it doesn't quite do the original justice. It's definately worth a listen though. This song is about how we dig our own holes time after time, and we can and have to rely on God to bail us out every time.

4. "Which To Bury, Us or the Hatchet (Acoustic)" (5/5) - This song isn't as good as the original, but it is still a very good piece of work. This song deals with rocky friendships.

5. "Overthinking (Acoustic)" (5/5) - This song is possibly even better than the original (and that's saying a lot). The way it is put together just seems more memorable to me. The interpretation to this seems to be somewhat open-ended, but mine is that Matt is singing about a girlfriend scenerio that was never meant to be. Some good writing though.

6. "In Like a Lion (Always Winter)" (5/5) - This is by far my favorite song on the EP. I have never seen Matt write such beautiful lyrics. It is much slower, and takes the same feel as "Let It All Out" or "When I Go Down." The ballad is about the winter season. The insert says that the song was inspired by the book, "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" by C.S. Lewis.

7. "The Theif" (4/5) - On the first listen, this song almost blends into the previous track. But after a few listens, it begins to stand out from the previous track. Musically, this song is headed in the exact same direction as "Let It All Out." It's another piano ballad, and a shorter one at that, timing out at 2:22 minutes. But it is still a very good song, and is definately worth listening to. Lyrically, this song isn't too specific, and can lead the listener to a couple different conclusions.

Overall, this new EP is a great extention of "MMHMM", and gives the fans something to enjoy until their next full length album. Some fans of the old Relient K may be disappointed, but fans of "MMHMM" will love it. I highly suggest picking up a copy.

Let me first say that I love Relient K. They are incredible musicians. I love all of their music. If I were to rate the content of this album...I would definitely give it 5 stars. They did a fantastic job with the "unplugged" versions of their "Mmhmm" and "Two Lefts..." songs. But I have to go along with a previous reviewer who stated that he gave it a bad rating because of production. And that is my reason as well. There is this very high pitch that is on all the tracks, and it is VERY noticeable. At first, I thought my ears were ringing, but then I called my sister in the room and she was like "Yeah...it's ringing." I thought it was my computer, so I played it in the car. Same thing. This production is horrible, and I'm amazed that they would sell an album this horrible. The high pitch is just very distracting, and instead of listening to the actual music content, I find myself bothered by the high pitch. But, I will buy the next album from Relient K. And the next. But two more strikes, and they are out.

One word: AMAZING! This EP includes 3 acoustic versions of previously recorded Relient K songs; they're all wonderful, but I have to say the one that improved most as an acoustic song is "Over Thinking." Additionally, there are 4 brand new songs that are simply fantastic. Critics will say what they want about the boys "going secular," but I'd like to hear them interpret what "The Truth" can possibly be about if not about the search for God. "Apathetic Way to Be," which was previously only available on the vinyl version of MMHMM, exhibits the clever wordplay and tongue in cheek humor that characterizes Relient K. I am personally convinced that "In Like a Lion (Always Winter)" was actually supposed to be on the soundtrack for The Chronicles of Narnia movie and was kept out due to record company politics, but that's just my own speculation, so don't go passing that around! This song has to be the best track on the album. The music is very soothing and melodic, yet somehow driving; the effect is altogether very powerful. This song also demonstrates Matt Thiessen's lyrical prowess; who can honestly say they didn't tear up at the final chorus, when he says "Sometimes it feels like You're not with us / But deep inside our hearts we know / That You are here / And we will not lose hope"? "The Thief" is reminiscent of Matt's side project Matt Thiessen and the Earthquakes; for all I know, it IS one of their songs, but now done by RK. Whatever the case, it's very beautiful, though a somewhat depressing note to end the EP on. Altogether a good buy!

i, like previous reviewers, am indeed a long time relient k fan. i've listened to the EP many times and very much so enjoy the songs and slower versions of past favorites. upon reading other reviews and complaints about a high pitch noise i was curious. as i began listening to be my escape i noticed it immediatlely. i had never noticed it before, but now i'm sure i wont be able to enjoy this wonderful cd without noticing it.

i love the music and lyrics, but production is indeed taking away from the cd.

Apathetic EP is a new form of Relient K previously unheard. From the driving punk beats of The Truth (which reminds the listener of that good old RK classic, Chapstick) to the super mellow ballad of The Thief, this EP tops the charts in my book. The acoustic covers are incredible and the new Overthinking is better than the original. RK, you guys don't know your own talent! Can't wait to hear "Five Score and Seven Years Ago."