Relient K - "At Least We Made It This Far" (2008)

Relient K is a band that has always been good about treating their fans to a constant stream of new music. Since I started listening to them back in 2003, they’ve had eight releases, which include EPs, Christmas albums, and a 7” vinyl single, with the titles of all of them showcasing the band’s penchant for wordplay. They’ve somewhat outdone themselves with The Bird and the Bee Sides, which is actually two releases in one, clocking in at 26 tracks. The first 13 comprise The Nashville Tennis EP, which finds the band shifting between their pop punk roots and a newfound knack for alt-country. I think it’s a stretch to call 13 tracks an EP, but you have to consider that only three of the songs are over three minutes in length and some are barely over one minute. There are some gems on this release such as “The Scene and Herd,” an open letter from front man and lead songwriter Matthew Thiessen to the “scene” that they’ve reluctantly become a part of. Musically, the track hearkens back to some of their earlier work, with chugging guitars and breakneck drumming. Also of note is “The Lining Is Silver” and “There Was No Thief,” which is an updated version of “The Thief” from their 2005 Apathetic EP. The second half of the album is where the b-sides come in. Most of these songs have been released previously on various EPs or singles, with some new ones thrown in as well. It also marks the first time that the four tracks from the 2003’s The Vinyl Countdown have been available outside the original 1500 pressings of the 7". Today’s song is one of the more alt-country leaning tracks that shows that Relient K is far from a one trick pony. The Bird and the Bee Sides is a must own for any Relient K fan.


Relient K - "At Least We Made It This Far"