Is For Karaoke EP

Relient K | Format: MP3 Music

Product Details

• Original Release Date: June 28, 2011
• Label: Mono vs. Stereo
• Copyright: (P) 2011 Mono vs Stereo
• Record Company Required Metadata: Music file metadata contains unique purchase identifier. Learn more.
• Total Length: 22:30
• Genres:
  • Rock
• ASIN: B0057VTUGW
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #28,636 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Some misses, mostly hits July 12, 2011

By VineStudios1

Format:MP3 Music

The follow up EP to 2009's Forget and Slow Down, K is for Karaoke is really just a treat for the longstanding Relient k fans who have listened and bought everything else produced by the band in the last 11 years. At 7 albums, 8 EPs and two Christmas albums it's been a very prolific run.

In Karaoke the band covers old and new tunes, ranging from Tears for Fears' (lead singer Matt Thiessen's favorite band of the 80's) "Every Body Wants to Rule the World" to Justin Bieber's "Baby." All in all, as far as covers go most are decent songs in the punk/rock vein.

So let's go track by track:

Girls Just Want to Have Fun: This and the aforementioned Tears for Fears number represent the 80's sensibilities of the EP. It's quite an odd selection for the first track considering the original was sung from a female perspective. Though Thiessen doesn't alter the perspective it somehow works. The song is fast paced with great interplay between the guitars and drums. Perhaps the most original cover of this song so far. 9/10

Here Comes My Girl: Another solid cover, this one a Tom Petty number. Whereas the original was more softer around the edges the Relient k version is, once again, the definite punk/rock interpretation. Thiessen's smooth solo speeches inbetween the refrains are something of an improvement over Tom Petty's rather nasseley vocals. 8/10

Baby: Not to be confused with the short transition piece "Baby" off of Forget and Slow Down this is the aforementioned Justin Bieber cover. Whatever regard the listener holds Justin Bieber in there's no denying the song itself is well endowed with decent pop lyrics (after all he didn't write it). That said, this cover while decent is not the best I've heard of the track (that prize goes to the AHMIR/J Rice YouTube version). The song sounds restrained under Relient k's direction. It's a brave choice to put on the album though and it mostly pays off. 6.5/10

Doctor Worm: It wouldn't be a Relient k release without a few jokes right? This take on the They Might Be Giants is probably the most relatively unknown song on the EP, which makes it a brave but risky cover choice for those who've never previously heard the original (such as myself). It follows the original fairly closely in structure and sound but the goofiness of the lyrics wasn't endearing as much as annoying. A follower of They Might Be Giants might feel differently however. 4/10

Crazy: Unlike the previous covers the original wasn't necessarily conceived as a pop/rock song. Imitating Gnarls Barkely's unique and haunting lead vocal is difficult to do. It doesn't quite top the original, but it is a worthy tribute. 8/10

Everybody Wants to Rule the World: I was worried at first because of the iconic nature that the Tears for Fears vocals have when singing these lyrics and that Relient k couldn't quite match it. I was wrong; this is easily the second best track on the EP after Girls Just Want to Have Fun. I almost prefer it to the original. 9/10

Surf Wax America: A nice way to wrap up the EP and pay tribute to their rocker brethren Weezer. somehow I think the band always wanted to be from California rather than Ohio. 7/10

overall 51.5/70

a decent EP with generally good song selection.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing October 8, 2011

By Joseph M. Condon

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Relient K has never disappointed me with anything they've done. This is is no exception. I was very worried when I saw the track listing and thought that they had gone crazy. After listening to the entire set, I couldn't shut it off. My favorites by far are "One Headlight", "Africa", and "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun". I suggest you check it out, you won't regret it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars It's Relient K. It's a cover album. It's sweet goodness. July 21, 2011

By J. Kittrell

Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase

Let's face it... Relient K is the best band on the planet. Anything Thiessen does is going to be the best. I AM sad that they didn't put 20 songs on the new album, but that's just me. The only song I've found people opposed to is the Bieber cover. Since I never heard a Bieber song before Relient K's version, I can honestly say that I absolutely love it! Thanks for making another great driving album, guys!