Relient K’s latest ‘Score’

By Cat Higgins
Charleston Catholic High School

In March, Relient K released its fifth full-length album, “Five Score and Seven Years Ago.” The band has matured greatly since its “Marilyn Manson Ate My Girlfriend” days but continues to spill out witty and thought-provoking lyrics throughout the CD.

The album is also the band’s most diverse by far. Relient K has, for the most part, moved away from its punk sound, infusing more piano and heading in a more alternative direction.

“Five Score” begins with the quick a capella song “Plead the Fifth,” about a man who believes John Wilkes Booth did not assassinate Abraham Lincoln. When the man is on the stand, though, he pleads the fifth so nobody ever knows that Booth was not guilty.

Next is “Come Right Out and Say It,” which has a catchy melody and words that cut right to the heart of a bad relationship: “Why don’t you come right out and say it? Even if the words are going to hurt, we’re better off this way. Why don’t you come right out and say what I know you’re thinking anyway.”

“I Need You,” about God’s security, is one of the band’s edgier songs. While the guitars in the beginning might scare away some, the song lightens and balances out.

In the past, Relient K has been accused of sugar-coating its faith, but this song show that the guys haven’t forgotten their beliefs. They don’t pound you over the head with a Bible, though, letting you think about things yourself.

Perhaps the catchiest song on the album, “Must Have Done Something Right” is about being in love where Thiessen lets his wittiness shine through. “We should get jerseys ‘cause we make a great team. But yours would look better than mine ‘cause you’re out of my league,” he sings.

The song will have you tapping your feet and you won’t be able to resist a smile when you listen. Also, for a good chuckle, you’ll want to check out “Crayons Can Melt on Us for All I Care.”

“Faking My Own Suicide” is a creative song with a bit of a country twist. A boy theorizes that the girl he loves will realize how much she loves him if he fakes his death, and then he’ll come back to life when she’s speaking about him at his funeral. While faking your own suicide is definitely not encouraged, the song is worth a listen.

“Bite My Tongue,” a song about watching what you say, uses clever wordplay like, “I’m sweeping up the seconds that tick off the clock and saving them for later when I’m too ticked to talk.” It’s irresistibly catchy and thoughtful.

“Up and Up” is a song most teens surely can relate to. It’s about being the best you can be and challenges listeners to find the good in situations. It is about doing what you know you are capable of.

The last song is quite the finale at just over 11 minutes long. “Deathbed,” is the story of a man near death who is looking back on his life. The piano is the most prevalent instrument and gives the song a jazzy twist with an upbeat tempo. The man’s life is interesting, and you very well could find yourself captivated by his story. You might imagine sitting in a circle around Thiessen as he rocks in a chair, telling the story of the man.

Not much is repeated in the song, and there is even a guest appearance of Jon Foreman of Switchfoot as God. Many have said the album is worth buying just to hear this song.

Diverse, witty, thoughtful and catchy, “Five Score and Seven Years Ago” is a must-have for your CD collection. Arguably the best Relient K album yet, it has something for everyone.