Relationship of Command is the third studio album by American post-hardcore band At the Drive-In, released on September 12, 2000. The album combines an aggressive edge with a melodic drive, harmonious, emotive vocals, and surreal lyrics. While it continues in the alternative style of At the Drive-In's previous albums, Relationship of Command is seen as a more well-rounded album than its predecessors. Initially received positively by critics, the album is now seen not only as one of the most influential post-hardcore albums of the 2000s, but also as one of the most accomplished recent works in the wider rock spectrum. Relationship of Command was voted twelfth out of 100 in the Albums of the Decade by NME, and the 37th most influential album of all time by Kerrang!. It was the band's final album to feature founding guitarist Jim Ward.
I can remember the first time I heard "One Armed Scissor" by At the Drive-in, it was a defining moment remembering me that rock is still not dead yet. The dynamic shift, energy and aggression give me the goosebumps every time. The rest of the songs on Relationship of Command are pretty good too. Not all are as straightforward and dynamic as "One Armed Scissor", but it's post-hardcore with some prog mixed into it. One of my favorite albums of the 2000s.
Post Hardcore is one of my least liked Genres but my initial thought was "it sounds like Mars Volta" and further investigation proved why.
It's actually pretty good and mixes up more than just screaming and thrash.
I liked it.
When you listen to this album it gives that sound of familiarity that is hard to place. A bit before it’s time with a 2000 release. These guys ended up splitting up and some were part of Mars Volta where you can get a sense of how later 00s sound derived from this. This isn’t a diamond in the rough but it’s still a good hard alternative rock album if that’s your jam. 6.8/10
Y2K American Post-Hardcore, which is an interesting combination of time, genre, and place. Post-hardcore's *really* not a genre that I care for (and jesus goddamn the people here love adding it to the list), but thankfully this one's making more interesting moves than most of the others that have been sent in.
It was very affirming to check the wiki and learn that some of the members would go on to form The Mars Volta—it's very proggy, and I thought I recognized the singer's voice, but he's doing a completely different (worse) style on here.
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