by Jacob Sahms
Matt Thiessen and Relient K have come farther than any Plymouth Reliant K car could take them. Founded in 1998 by guitarist Matt Hoopes, Thiesen and others, the band found mainstream success through Capitol Records in 2004, with Mmhmm. Considering their origins in high school, their sound has developed, but their lyrics have undergone the most change. While previous releases have been noteworthy, the lyrics of Five Score and Seven Years Ago (named for their fifth album in seven years) share an abundance of adult wisdom and maturity that the band had frequently shied away from in past albums.
A somewhat strange tribute to the death of Abraham Lincoln, the first track, “Pleading the Fifth,” shows off the diversity of the band’s talents, as Thiessen provides the kick drum and snare sounds (orally) to their acapella debut. “Come Right Out And Say It” begs the person addressed to tell the truth and let it out, remarking that “even if words are probably going to hurt. I’d rather have the truth than something insincere.” Thiessen and the band don’t want to be a “Christian” band, but their preferred character traits hinge on honesty and compassion. And that remains obvious in their expression of faith, “I Need You,” as Thiessen’s metaphors are diverse and thought-provoking. Written solely by Thiessen, the words exhort the other to “explore the cave that is my chest. A torch reveals there’s nothing left. Your whispers echo off the walls.” The band’s honesty drives them to call out in their need, over and over again.
“Forgiven” nods to Christian audiences, rising on Billboard’s Christian charts, with peace in mind. Thiessen challenges opponents on both sides to take equal responsibility, as all are “victims of falling short.” “Must Have Done Something Right” provides the band’s first single material, as well as the stuff of music videos. It’s the boldest positive song of Thiessen’s that I’ve heard—openly claiming the love he’s found and proud that others are jealous. It’s an interesting switch from the insecurity that Relient K has practically trademarked, but it’s a good switch!
“Devastation and Reform” allows John Schneck to break out the banjo, and Thiessen to drop some lyrically complex verses on the listener. “Fear can drive stick and it’s taking me down this road. A road down which I swore I’d never go,” he croons. It doesn’t lack the humor or creativity of The Anatomy of the Tongue in Cheek, but it certainly seems motivated by more than a good time, too. Without calling themselves a Christian band, Thiessen provides the guidance that one would hope from a faith-filled musician: “Thank you God for giving me the insight. So I might make these wrongs right. If and when there is a next time. Cause failure is a blessing in disguise.” One doesn’t have to be a Christian to recognize providence or divine guidance, but you do have to be willing to look outside yourself!
The rest of the album didn’t do much to catch my ear, until the final song (which isn’t included on the iTunes version!) “Deathbed” narrates the story of an aging lung cancer patient’s final days, but shouldn’t be confused with the same motifs in the works of My Chemical Romance. Broken relationships, chemical dependencies and poor choices all serve as roadblocks to the central character’s success, but in the end, it is one choice that makes the difference. In the song, Jesus comes to the man and reminds him of the night “when you turned out the lights. You asked and prayed for my forgiveness.” With this, the man (and Thiessen) remember that he is in fact a wolf (or lion) who fell in love with the lamb.
I eagerly awaited this album, and I’m not disappointed. I was pleasantly surprised when Mmhmm was lyrically deeper, and instrumentally broader, and Five Score and Seven Years Ago carries that banner. Each listen brings more to the surface, and every word shows that it was chosen with purpose. Relient K knows its strengths, its purpose and its plan, and when it meets all three, it’s hard to stop.
www.hollywoodjesus.com