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Apathetic EP

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Apathetic EP
EP by
Relient K
ReleasedNovember 8, 2005
StudioS-S-Studio, Spring Hill, Tennessee
Genre
Length23:34
Label
Producer
Relient K chronology
Mmhmm
(2004) 		Apathetic EP
(2005) 		Five Score and Seven Years Ago
(2007)
Singles from Apathetic
  1. "The Truth"
    Released: November 14, 2005

Apathetic EP is the fifth EP released by Relient K. It was released on November 8, 2005, via Capitol and Gotee Records. The EP reached no. 94 on the Billboard 200. The EP was streamed online, prior to its official release.[1]

Background and release

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On June 2, 2005, the group posted a song online titled, "Apathetic Way to Be".[2] The song was revealed to be a part of an EP titled, Apathetic, announced in October 2005, with a release date for November 8, 2005. The EP features eight tracks, including acoustic versions of "Be My Escape", "Who I Am Hates Who I've Been", "Which to Bury, Us or the Hatchet" and "Over Thinking", and three new songs.[3] The song "In Like a Lion (Always Winter)" was originally intended to be included on the album Music Inspired by The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe but was later excluded.[4] "The Truth" was serviced to Christian radio on November 14, 2005, as the EP's lead and only single.[5]

According to singer Matt Thiessen, the EP was suggested by Capitol Records, who wanted the band to release something before the end of the year. Thiessen liked the idea, explaining, "I'm really glad we did that... We haven't done a lot of acoustic stuff as far as covering our own songs and recording that, so we're happy about that."[6] He also stated the reasoning behind recording four acoustic tracks and putting them on the EP, "The songs are already written, so it's not like you have to write new songs; and we've been doing a lot of radio shows and playing on TRL where they always want you to do an acoustic version of something. So we were just like 'you know, these sound kind of fun' and thought it would be cool to just record them."[4] This marks the first release with guitarist Jon Schneck, who joined the band earlier in the year. Schneck performed guitar, banjo, bells and vocals on the EP, giving the band more instrumental depth and a more distinctive sound.[7]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[8]
Cross Rhythms[9]
Jesus Freak Hideout[10]
Melodic[11]
PunkNews.org[12]

The EP received generally positive reviews from music critics. Johnny Loftus of AllMusic praised the acoustic version of "Be My Escape", feeling that it is "even better" than the studio version. However, he was critical on "The Truth", calling it "pretty generic," but highlighted "Apathetic Way to Be" as the EP's standout track.[8] Daniel Hames of Cross Rhythms stated, "This is a pleasant listen, and shows something of the band's progression musically and lyrically."[9] Josh Taylor of Jesus Freak Hideout wrote, "they prove they are capable of balancing depth with catchy hooks and happy tunes with acoustic swagger."[10] Kaj Roth of Melodic gave a negative review for the EP, stating, "'The Truth' is an ok catchy punk pop song but no knockout [...] The remaining 2 are ballads - 'In Like a Lion (Always Winter)' is a fine slow power pop song in the Something Corporate vein which feels like it has it's place at the end of the EP. The EP ends with the piano piece 'The Thief' which is nice but not as good the one before, it's short and misses a real chorus." However, he praised "Apathetic Way to Be" as the EP's highlight, due to its "real singalong chorus."[11]

Track listing

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All tracks are written by Matt Thiessen.

No.TitleLength
1."The Truth"3:18
2."Apathetic Way to Be"3:21
3."Be My Escape" (Acoustic)4:02
4."Which to Bury, Us or the Hatchet?" (Acoustic)2:44
5."Over Thinking" (Acoustic)4:09
6."In Like a Lion (Always Winter)"3:43
7."The Thief"2:22

Credits and personnel

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Credits adapted from album's liner notes.[14]

Charts

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Chart performance for Apathetic
Chart (2005) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[15] 94
US Christian Albums (Billboard)[16] 5

References

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  1. ^ Paul Aubin (November 8, 2005). "Relient K stream 'Apathetic' EP". PunkNews.org. Retrieved July 6, 2025.
  2. ^ Kaj Roth (June 2, 2005). "New Song With Relient K Online". Melodic. Retrieved July 6, 2025.
  3. ^ Kaj Roth (October 1, 2005). "Relient K With New Ep In Nov". Melodic. Retrieved July 6, 2025.
  4. ^ a b Bobby Gorman (February 22, 2006). "Interview: Relient K - Matt Thiessen and John Warne". The Punk Site. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
  5. ^ "Going for Add: Week Of 11/14/05" (PDF). Radio & Records. November 14, 2005. p. 27. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
  6. ^ "Relient K: The pop-punkers hit A-town and reflect on the year since Mmhmm". The Morning Call. March 22, 2006. Retrieved July 6, 2025.
  7. ^ John J. Thompson (May 15, 2007). "Relient K: Something So Right". Crosswalk.com. Archived from the original on November 6, 2011. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  8. ^ a b Allmusic review
  9. ^ a b Daniel Hames (April 5, 2006). "Cross Rhythms Review: Relient K - Apathetic". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved July 6, 2025.
  10. ^ a b Josh Taylor (November 9, 2005). "Relient K, "Apathetic EP" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout.
  11. ^ a b Roth, Kaj (November 9, 2005). "Relient K - Apathetic EP". Melodic. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  12. ^ Jon (February 21, 2006). "Relient K - Apathetic EP (2005)". PunkNews.org. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  13. ^ Josh Taylor (July 1, 2008). "Relient K, "The Bird And The Bee Sides" / "The Nashville Tennis EP" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved June 13, 2012.
  14. ^ Apathetic EP (booklet). Relient K. Gotee Records. 2005. GTD42009.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. ^ "Relient K Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved July 6, 2025.
  16. ^ "Relient K Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 6, 2025.
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