Apathetic EP (CD)

Considering the exploding popularity of Relient K as Christian rock’s new “it” band, ravenous fans want everything they can get their hands on. To keep them at bay, the growing gap between 2004’s MMHMM and the next record is straddled with the eight-song Apathetic EP, a brief but arty collection mixing startling remakes with brand-new gems.

Apathetic EP is anchored by two examples of the band’s trademark punk-charged guitar pop, “The Truth” and “Apathetic Way to Be” (which originally appeared on the limited-edition vinyl of MMHMM). Although some of the quirky wordplay and musical bounce is present, the rest of the disc shows Relient K moving away from its roots as heir apparent of Five Iron Frenzy and into newer territory.

The middle of the disc sports three haunting acoustic remakes. “Be My Escape (acoustic)” and “Which to Bury, Us or the Hatchet (acoustic)” from MMHMM, and “Over Thinking (acoustic)” from 2003’s Two Lefts Don’t Make A Right…But Three Do, have been disassembled and rebuilt from the ground up as thoughtful, mature acoustic rockers.

A new track, the bittersweet “In Like a Lion (Always Winter),” inspired by the C.S. Lewis classic The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, clings to hope in the midst of darkness. The final two tracks, the dark piano ballad “The Thief” and an acoustic redux of the band’s MTV hit, “Who I Am Hates Who I’ve Been,” actually end the EP on a kind of downer.

But with the disc clocking in at under 30 minutes, it’s easy enough to hit “play” again and return to the vibrant opening rocker. Going full circle like that, Apathetic EP becomes a snapshot of this band in transition. As the guys continue to move away from their early “goofball” image and become young men of artistic substance, Apathetic EP documents their continued growth.

CHRIS WELL

Review Provided by CCMmagazine.com