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 We should get jerseys 'cause we make a good team
 But yours would look better than mine because you're out of my league
 And I know that it's so cliché, to tell you that everyday
 I spend with you is the new best day of my life
 Everyone watching us just turns away with disgust
 Its jealousy, they can see
 That we've got it going on
 "Must Have Done Something Right"

Matt Theissen and the K crew have veered a little further from the wacky wordplay and punk roots of their previous releases, but rest assured this is still the Relient K fans know and love, they have just grown up a bit and in the process put out the finest CD of their career.

Five Score and Seven Years Ago showcases all sides of the band that you know and love turned up several notches—the raucous, melodic and catchy rockin' Relient K ("Forgiven" and "Devastation and Reform"), the lovers of vocal harmonies (ala' The Beach Boys on the opening track "Plead The Fifth" and the ebullient "Must Have Done Something Right"), the humorous ("Crayons Can Melt On Us For All I Care," and "Faking My Own Suicide), and the faithful (on the subtle praise song "Give," and "Forgiven").  That diversity and a healthy dose of originality is what makes _Five Score and Seven Years_ Ago such a rewarding listen, and the (mostly) happy themes of life, love and faith create a joyous, uplifting experience.  This is an album that was meant to put a smile on your face…and in that mission Relient K has succeeded nicely.

Sonically, the album kicks major booty.  Most of the album was recorded with producer Howard Benson (Less Than Jake, My Chemical Romance, The All-American Rejects).  This is a great sounding CD, and while not a huge departure from Relient K's sound with previous producer Mark Townsend (who does produce several cuts) there is a definite brawny sound quality that leaps out of the speakers into your anxiously awaiting ear canals.

Five Score and Seven Years Ago features several standout cuts.  The insanely infectious "Must Have Done Something Right" was released as a digital single back in December '06 (along with a nice non-album track).  "Must Have Done Something Right" is a perfect pop single, a sugar-sweet ode to a new romance that features lyrics straight out of the head of someone who has just fallen head over heels in love. It has a 2007 vibe reminiscent of The Turtles "Happy Together" with a perfect Beach Boys-esque bridge.  Closing the CD is a sweeping 11 minute emotional epic "Deathbed."  I won't ruin the storyline of the song for you…but listen carefully to the end of the song for a cool guest appearance.

Five Score and Seven Years Ago deserves to be big.  Do yourself a favor and check it out, smiles (and a few tears) are guaranteed!

Check out Relient K online

See the video for "Must Have Done Something Right":
http://music.yahoo.com/ar-297583---Relient-K?ev=30672468

Barry Nothstine hosts Soul Frequency Radio (http://www.soulfrequency.com), a weekly freeform FM radio show showcasing progressive rock, instrumental rock, power-pop, psychedelic rock, rock classics, blues, and more—great rock for the ages!

This album is excellent. The music and lyrics are deeper and shows a growth of the band into a great group that could go on with great success for years to come. There's still some of the fun loving stuff that many have come to love them for, but this is no bunch of slap happy songs about chicks. There's still plenty of fun to be had, but some of this stuff is serious. The music approaches anthemic at times. Relient K makes the most poignant use of a piano to set off a part of a song.

"Must Have Done Something Right" is a fun song about love and how even when you mean it, it comes out sounding cliche. "Faking My Own Suicide"  and "Deathbed" are the heaviest emotionally, but they made the album.

Love, Salvation, Redemption, Fun. It all adds up to a great album. This CD is going to be on a lot of peoples top ten lists when this year comes to an end. It's the best thing that I have popped into the player in a long time.
 

Justin Wright
2/25/2007

Relient K are quickly becoming one of the most popular and enjoyable rock and roll bands in the market today. These guys have done nothing but get better every album! Five Score and Seven Years Age their appropriately titled fifth album in seven years is proving that it is possible for a band to make more and more progress on every effort. Many rock and roll bands of today’s market should take note, if you want to gain more fans and more attention from the world of rock and roll, you need to strive for the next benchmark on every album. 

The influence of classic rock and roll bands like the Beach Boys and the Beatles are evident throughout this incredible album. We’ve got Brian Wisonesque harmonies on the opening minute long cut “Pleading the Fifth,” and the current single “Must Have Done Something Right” which is one of the best falling in love songs I’ve heard so far this year: 

If anyone could make me a better person you could,
All I’ve got to say is I must have done something good,
You came around one day and you re-arranged my life,
All I’ve got to say is I must have done something right.

“I’m Taking You With Me” is another love song from the pen of Matt Theissen, only this time it speaks of love that has grown stronger over time. It’s a song written by a man who has come to the conclusion that the girl he is dating is the girl he wants to spend his life with. 

“Faking My Own Suicide” is both funny and not funny at the same time. In direct contrast to the love songs on this project, Theissen here is writing the thoughts of a man who has been involved in a relationship collapse recently, and is now thinking about how much emotional pain he could give his ex girlfriend by killing himself.

Both “Bite My Tongue” and “Come Right Out and Say It’ feature those fun and funny lines that Theissen has become known for like “Why don’t you come right out and say it/What it is you’re thinking/Though I’m thinking it’s not what I want to hear.” (“Come Right Out And Say It)) and “The most crucial thing I lack is a thing called tact” (“Bite My Tongue”).

“Deathbed” is the closing track on this project, and it is by far the strongest song Relient K have ever recorded, both musically and lyrically. It tells the powerful 11 minute story of a man, and his life, a life redeemed by God’s Grace. It’s a song of reminiscing and retrospect, and a song that is a must hear for any Relient K fan! 

This may be the best record that I’ve heard so far from these young men from Canton, OH. 

James Morovich
3/18/07