Relient K is back with their 7th CD “mmhmm”. The CD is packed with 14 energetic power-punk tracks. The CD is sure to thrill their many fans and probably make so new ones as well. The band has matured a lot and this is the most radio-friendly CD they’ve put out. That could be a bad thing, as punk and radio-friendly don’t (or shouldn’t) go hand-in-hand. But in this case, it’s a good thing.

As I said above, Relient K has matured quite a bit. Gone are the goofy (but way fun) songs like “Sadie Hawkins”, “Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything” and “My Girlfriend”. And those will be missed. But the writing on this album has a tremendous depth to it. The emotions range from very upbeat to a more melancholic tone.

There is the prerequisite song about a girl that every punk album seems to have to have these days; actually, there are 3 on this one. One of these, “Which to Bury, Us or the Hatchet?” is one of my favorites. The song is about the struggle of relationships when the inevitable conflicts come about. Matt struggles trying to decide whether to try to work things out or throw the towel in. It’s a little darker than most of the songs on the CD. But it morphs into a mellow piano song called “Let it all Out”, and I’m sorry, but piano just doesn’t belong on a punk album. That’s close to heresy in my book.

I also like “High of 75″, a bubbly tune about enjoying life. Another that merits mention is “This Week the Trend.” It’s one of two songs encouraging listeners to get rid of their lazy, apathetic ways.

But I think my favorite is “Life After Death and Taxes,” one of the more serious songs on the CD. The song is realizing that faith is more important in this life than the things that compete for our attention. I think it really highlights the talent this group has and just how far they’ve come as a band.

There really are only a couple of songs that I didn’t like on “mmhmm”. And the more I listen to the CD, the more I really enjoy it. Fans old and new will definitely love this one. I really wouldn’t be surprised to see these guys hit the mainstream charts soon.