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Post by kcabnrut on Feb 9, 2015 7:13:55 GMT
Okay folks....sorry for the delay. The first CD I wanted to share isn't available yet, but I thought it would be. It's my son's new EP BUT...since we can't do that one, here's one I've been all nostalgic over lately: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mmhmm
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Post by kcabnrut on Feb 9, 2015 7:16:37 GMT
Anyway, this album just celebrated its 10 year anniversary back in November. It was my daughter's favorite band (besides ELO of course) and we followed these kids before they got "big." I especially appreciate the very witty and clever lyrics throughout every song, and who knew that Prince wrote "Manic Monday" (recorded by the Bangles)?!?
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Post by Helmut83 on Feb 9, 2015 7:59:21 GMT
Anyway, this album just celebrated its 10 year anniversary back in November. It was my daughter's favorite band (besides ELO of course) and we followed these kids before they got "big." I especially appreciate the very witty and clever lyrics throughout every song, and who knew that Prince wrote "Manic Monday" (recorded by the Bangles)?!? I knew that Prince wrote "Manic Monday". Seriously.
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Post by jrmugz on Feb 9, 2015 11:09:20 GMT
Very cool kcabnrut, I know I've heard of that band before. Will be cool to check them out and see what they are all about! Look for my review towards the middle of the week sometime!
Jim
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Post by kcabnrut on Feb 9, 2015 16:53:55 GMT
Haha! Sorry guys, I didn't know that Prince wrote Manic Monday. I've been living in a cave with only ELO to listen to...
They're (RK) from Canada, named after the kind of car that lead writer/singer Matt Theissen used to drive when he was a teen and just beginning the band...and I think they began as a Christian act before Capitol picked them up. My girls liked them back in the day because they were "cute," and I surprisingly liked them too because of their humor and wit.
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Post by Helmut83 on Feb 9, 2015 16:57:13 GMT
Very cool kcabnrut, I know I've heard of that band before. Will be cool to check them out and see what they are all about! Look for my review towards the middle of the weed sometime! Jim You'll make a review in the middle of the weed? I didn't know you were into such things, Jim, but sounds like fun! lol
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Post by jrmugz on Feb 9, 2015 18:04:56 GMT
Very cool kcabnrut, I know I've heard of that band before. Will be cool to check them out and see what they are all about! Look for my review towards the middle of the weed sometime! Jim You'll make a review in the middle of the weed? I didn't know you were into such things, Jim, but sounds like fun! lol I'm busted man!!! I fixed the original post to say "week" hide the evidence! Jim
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Post by Helmut83 on Feb 9, 2015 18:09:38 GMT
Too late, I've already quoted your message so it will be there for the posterity.
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Post by Helmut83 on Feb 9, 2015 23:17:25 GMT
Kabrunut and Jim, I'm afraid I won't be able to provide a regular review of the full album as I'll be traveling for a few days starting tomorrow morning, but I'll try to play it today while packing so as to give it a listen all the same.
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Post by Horacewimp on Feb 10, 2015 8:27:30 GMT
Kabrunut and Jim, I'm afraid I won't be able to provide a regular review of the full album as I'll be traveling for a few days starting tomorrow morning, but I'll try to play it today while packing so as to give it a listen all the same. Off on holiday Helmut83 ?
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Post by queenofthehours on Feb 10, 2015 13:40:27 GMT
I don't know this album or this band but I'm looking forward to finding out.
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Post by jrmugz on Feb 10, 2015 18:06:18 GMT
OK, here is my review of Relient K's "Mmhmm" CD. 01. "The One I'm Waiting For" - Sets the tone for the CD, which goes down as one long song, with the songs seguing together, and being similar in tone and theme, etc. 02. "Be My Escape" - I like the opening chords, and can certainly relate to the sentiment of the chorus. 03. "High of 75" - The sing-songy teenager gig is starting to get old real early on here. Starting to make some lame attempts at profundity. The music soundscape is fine. 04. "I So Hate Consequences" - Universal sentiment. 05. "The Only Thing Worse than Beating a Dead Horse Is Betting On One" - Kind of beating the human condition theme to death, needs to focus more on the majesty of God. 06. "My Girl's Ex-Boyfriend" - Good message of how we can learn from other's mistakes. 07. "More than Useless" - This CD really needs to slow down and take a break. 08. "Which to Bury, Us or the Hatchet?" - I said slow down! 09. "Let It All Out" - I like how it slows down a lot at the end. 10. "Who I Am Hates Who I've Been" - Too much "I" and not enough "Him". 11. "Maintain Consciousness" - I like the chord progression and the break. 12. "This Week the Trend" - All starting to sound like one song. 13. "Life After Death & Taxes" - I like how it slows down at the end. He's missing about Purgatory after death. Shallow Protestant theology; gets on my nerves. 14. "When I Go Down" - Thank God, an acoustic guitar! Best chorus on the album. Star Rating: 3 out of 5 stars Prime Cuts: "Be My Escape", "Let It All Out", "When I Go Down" Bottom Line: A run of the mill brokenness and grace Christian album. The songs flow like one long song. The non-stop sing-songy-teenager mode gets a little annoying; but I do like that the lyrics are easily discernible, and that the arrangements are low key enough that it makes an appropriate and spirited soundscape in the background. I enjoyed playing it; I can see where people would like this band. Hopefully as time progresses, they're a little bit deeper and a little more focused on God's majesty. Hope the last song was a segue to some slightly deeper lyrics on following albums. Thanks for posting, kcabnrut; it was nice to finally see what this band was all about, and their knack for catchy songs. I used to seem them mentioned all the time when I used to have a subscription to CCM magazine. I can see where they would have a decent fan base. As far as CCM I really go for Mark Heard, Phil Keaggy, Randy Stonehill and Rich Mullins as much more the classic rock feel that I'm most comfortable with. Probably the closest thing to the Relient K style I like might be the various artists compilation called "Surfonic Water Revival", that has groups like Insyderz, etc. I'm sure I'll eventually post it as a CD of the week. Jim
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Post by Chippa on Feb 10, 2015 18:19:46 GMT
05. "The Only Thing Worse than Beating a Dead Horse Is Betting On One" - Kind of beating the human condition theme to death, needs to focus more on the majesty of God. 13. "Life After Death & Taxes" - I like how it slows down at the end. He's missing about Purgatory after death. Shallow Protestant theology; gets on my nerves. Jeez, Jim...I didn't know we were now judging songs on whether not not we agree with their religious dogma, or lack thereof.
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Post by jrmugz on Feb 10, 2015 18:49:14 GMT
05. "The Only Thing Worse than Beating a Dead Horse Is Betting On One" - Kind of beating the human condition theme to death, needs to focus more on the majesty of God. 13. "Life After Death & Taxes" - I like how it slows down at the end. He's missing about Purgatory after death. Shallow Protestant theology; gets on my nerves. Jeez, Jim...I didn't know we were now judging songs on whether not not we agree with their religious dogma, or lack thereof. I'm a staunch Catholic, so lyrics matter to me; if I don't like them, I'm gonna gripe. That said, seems those are hardly religious tirades above that you quoted. It is a Christian album posted by a Christian and being reviewed by a Christian to a Christian, so that's the context I was thinking when I wrote those comments. Jim PS You're signed up for Feb. 22 "CD of the Week"; just let me know if that's alright.
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Post by Chippa on Feb 11, 2015 8:05:28 GMT
I had an ex-girlfriend who was into Relient K, but I can honestly say I'd never sat down and listened to one of their albums, in full...til now...
The One I'm Waiting For – Very catchy, like a lot of “pop punk”. Some really good drumming on this track. I like the slowed down bridge, as well.
Be My Escape – More ear candy! These guys have a way with a melody, that’s for sure.
High Of 75 – Some good acoustic strumming to open, followed by more manic electric guitars. This song isn’t all that special, really. Sounds like most every other “emo” song from the early ‘00’s.
I So Hate Consequences – The beginning reminds me of The Ramones’ “I Wanna Be Sedated”. Rest of the song isn’t bad, if a bit redundant.
The Only Thing Worse Than Beating A Dead Horse Is Betting On One – The title reminds me of something Panic!At The Disco would have come up with. Hah. This is more straight up punk than the previous songs. Short and sweet.
My Girl's Ex-Boyfriend – This should probably have been a single, and maybe it was. I could see 14 year old girls eating this song up like free candy. Good pop songcraft.
More Than Useless – A bit generic. Kinda like someone said “ok, let’s go down to the pop punk music factory and make the most cookie cutter song we can come up with”. Some promising hooks, but not much else.
Which To Bury, Us Or The Hatchet – A bit darker than the rest of the songs here. Interesting.
Let It All Out – Very nice ballad. I can hear some slight Lynne influence in the melody, here.
Who I Am Hates Who I've Been – These “heart on your sleeve” lyrics can be clunky as hell sometimes, as this song proves.
Maintain Consciousness – Almost an 80’s new wave feel going on with this one. Bouncy!
This Week The Trend – More cookie cutter stuff. Meh.
Life After Death And Taxes – This song did nothing for me. I’d actually rather file my taxes than listen to it again.
When I Go Down – A bit different from the rest of the album. Nice, memorable chorus.
Overall, I give this album a 5/10. Emo, or pop punk, has the tendency to get a bit cloying after a while. Maybe that’s why the genre has kinda died down in popularity over the past few years. Not a bad album, at all. Just needed some more variety, I guess.
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