Artists|May 01, 2014 03:58 EDT
Relient K's 'Two Lefts Don't Make a Right... But Three Do' Remains Timeless Inspirational Pop/Punk with a Message - BreatheCast Throw Back Thursday
Today's BreatheCast Throwback Thursday is Relient K's fan classic, Two Lefts Don't Make a Right... But Three Do. Released in 2003, this album solidified the band's sound, popularity and fan base. Lead singer Matt Thiessen's songwriting found a quirky balance of sarcasm, tongue-in-cheek word play, pop culture references, humor and real heart all, with catchy pop punk tunes.
RK was able to successfully crossover into the mainstream at this time as well, peaking at No. 38 on the Billboard 200. Their music appeared on MTV, TV series "Smallville," and E! Entertainment. It was also nominated for a Grammy in the "Best Rock Gospel Album." "Two Lefts..." truly paved the way for their next successful project, 2004's Mmhmm.
Classics such like "Chap Lips, Chapped Lips and Things like Chemistry," "Mood Rings," and "Gibberish" are probably still committed to memory with whoever was a teen when the album was released.
Track Listing:
- Chap Stick, Chapped Lips, and Things Like Chemistry
- Mood Rings
- Falling Out
- Forward Motion
- In Love with The 80's (Pink Tux to the Prom)
- College Kids
- Trademark
- Hoopes I Did It Again
- Over thinking
- I Am Understood?
- Getting In To You
- Interlude
- Gibberish
- From End To End
- Jefferson Aero Plane
What made this album so popular was how real and relatable the songs were for Christian teens. It covered so many topics, from dealing with growing up and college, the anxiety about crushes, girls, and social pressures, and personal faith as well as just dealing with life.
The best example of this is off one of the lesser known tracks, "I am Understood?" In this track Thiessen was able to get that teenage sense of being misunderstood and was able to beautifully spin it into a message of hope that only God could truly understand us. The best part, is he managed to do this while still making the song something that will stuck in your head.
"You looked into my life and never stopped
And You're thinking all my thoughts
Are so simple, but so beautiful
And You recite my words right back to me
Before I even speak
You let me know, I am understood...
...The noise has broken my defense
Let me embrace salvation
Your voice has broken my defense
Let me embrace salvation"
Even after 10 years Two Lefts Don't Make a Right...But Three Do continues to strike listeners with timeless pop/punk that engages a new generation of listeners.
