Relationship Of Command
by At the Drive-In
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 138 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 122 out of 138
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 138
  3. Negative: 12 out of 138

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  1. SonyaH.
    Jan 1, 2002
    10
    This is one of the best albums I've gotten my hands on! It's emotional, raw, and haunting at times. That's good music!
  2. ZackZ
    Mar 5, 2005
    10
    Give it a couple listens, but eventually you will appreciate this amazing album. Intense abrasive vocals and atypical riffs scare away most, but if you give this album a chance you will fall in love with it. Full of great themes and compelling, superb music. Why did they break up???????????
  3. samt
    Sep 3, 2005
    10
    GREATEST emocore cd off alltime? Ohhhhhh i think so
  4. TonyL
    Oct 7, 2002
    10
    This album has changed the way I look at music, it has changed the way I play the bass, and it has changed the way I write. Everysong on this album is just as good as the next, if not better.
  5. GregL.
    Apr 18, 2002
    10
    In a time when most punk is pop ripoff, these guys are indeed the cheese who stand alone. Get this and their other CD in/casio/out (ALSO A 10) for a reason to love music again.
  6. hinkymano
    Aug 31, 2002
    10
    Truly stunning, a brilliant mixture of unpredicatability and vocal chord strain. Greta Afros too
  7. Tomm
    Nov 20, 2003
    10
    Abosoluty the best cd of all time and the greatest band that will ever form.
  8. Chris
    Mar 2, 2003
    10
    This cd is absolutley captivating, unlike many cd's these days. It has contrast from start to finish. I didn't find myself listening to the single the whole time because the whole rest of the cd was there. I became addicted the "Cosmonaut". Too bad they're not around anymore, but the good new's is that theres 2 new bands. The Mars Volta, and Sparta. I wouldn't This cd is absolutley captivating, unlike many cd's these days. It has contrast from start to finish. I didn't find myself listening to the single the whole time because the whole rest of the cd was there. I became addicted the "Cosmonaut". Too bad they're not around anymore, but the good new's is that theres 2 new bands. The Mars Volta, and Sparta. I wouldn't call At the Drive-In "emo" just good music… Expand
  9. JorgeB
    Sep 6, 2003
    10
    bad ass cd!
  10. DaveR
    Oct 15, 2004
    10
    Top marks dude! Omar & Cedric just make this album totally special, one of my fave albums!
  11. PaulH
    Jan 10, 2004
    10
    From the very opening track 'arcarsenal' you just know this album is different to all the others in its genre. The anger merged with beauty combo from 'arcarsenal' continues throughout the album, with the fantasic 'one armed scissor' and the quite unbelieveable 'cosmonaut'. Unlike Cedric's new band, The Mars Volta, there's less emotional From the very opening track 'arcarsenal' you just know this album is different to all the others in its genre. The anger merged with beauty combo from 'arcarsenal' continues throughout the album, with the fantasic 'one armed scissor' and the quite unbelieveable 'cosmonaut'. Unlike Cedric's new band, The Mars Volta, there's less emotional drive to the album, but it still comes up with the very moving 'Invalid Litter Dept.' - a song written about the treatment of mexican women and how the police and media don't really care. I'd say my personal favourite track is 'Pattern Against User' a strange choice but its a song i find myself singing to myself most of the time. If ever an album deserved 10/10, this one gets it. A marvellous record, and it gives an insight into the genius that was, At The Drive-In.… Expand
  12. MattB
    Jun 2, 2004
    10
    Truly fantastic album...band reminds me of Disaster Strikes, probably the greatest anarcho-punk band.
  13. seanm
    Jul 10, 2004
    10
    this is truly a remarkable album. These guys are really just an amazing band. PLEASE if you haven't heard atdi you must, must, must get this cd. If you have heard them then i already know you have this cd.
  14. John
    Aug 18, 2004
    10
    a perfect album
  15. JR
    Sep 10, 2004
    10
    This is my favorite CD. Ever. At the Drive-In is amazing.
  16. ChrisR
    Sep 23, 2004
    10
    Fantastic!! pattern against user is one of the best songs ive ever herd that hasn't been released!!
  17. DeezerD
    Jun 11, 2006
    10
    Probably one of the greatest rock albums ever recorded, in my opinion.
  18. TashaP
    Jul 2, 2006
    10
    Definatelyone of the greatest almbums. a shame they had to break-up. Sparta just doesn't have the passion that they did.
  19. nrvs
    Feb 20, 2007
    10
    Superb, utterly flawless album. One of the most important steps in the evolution of rock music. Probably one of the biggest dissapointments of my life that they couldn't put together another two albums before breaking up. Pity Mars Volta sucks so much ass.
  20. fionnk
    Apr 27, 2009
    10
    One of the last bands that had something to say and the music was un-edged as if fighting for it life to be played
  21. eEric
    Sep 27, 2002
    10
    Walking out of the dark woods...i see a light in the distance...that light is my guide...that light is my hope...that light is my future...that light is...AT THE DRIVE IN!
  22. JahcelG
    Sep 24, 2003
    10
    This album makes me proud to be a native of the state of Texas (Since the band came from El Paso). It's pretty refreshing to hear a different vibe of music with unbelieve creativity and futuristic visions of what rock can be if you follow you're own pathway in the music business. I've learned so much form "Relationship Of Command". I don't like the fact that the band This album makes me proud to be a native of the state of Texas (Since the band came from El Paso). It's pretty refreshing to hear a different vibe of music with unbelieve creativity and futuristic visions of what rock can be if you follow you're own pathway in the music business. I've learned so much form "Relationship Of Command". I don't like the fact that the band split in to 2 groups but that's just more room for them to create great music. Hopefully there will be another at the drive-in down the road in our future. At the Drive-In are my favorite group of all-time!!!!… Expand
  23. plukkfisk
    Sep 25, 2003
    10
    This is probably the most intense album in the history of music. It's fucking excellent.
  24. BrokenL
    Nov 1, 2004
    10
    It really is just too good. Honestly, I'm suprised it ever caught on, this just seems like a band that should go over everybody's head.
  25. HenryB
    Dec 2, 2004
    10
    Perfect, the brilliance that made The Mars Volta applied to a more standard "rock band" format creates a individual and interesting sound that hold the raw aggression missing in TMV. One of my favorite albums of all time.
  26. patricko
    Oct 4, 2004
    10
    this cd is awesome! much better than the others it sucks ATDI borke up but the mars volta are fuckin awesome so its cool
  27. BenL
    Jun 18, 2004
    10
    If I could give it an 11 or 12 I would. Heck I would probably gie it a ! Million out of 10 if that was possible. There is just not enough one can say about the greatness of this band and of this CD. They have little moments of subtlty that really help out when it gets to the energized areas of the songs. This is an album that I can sit down and listen to and never get bored with the If I could give it an 11 or 12 I would. Heck I would probably gie it a ! Million out of 10 if that was possible. There is just not enough one can say about the greatness of this band and of this CD. They have little moments of subtlty that really help out when it gets to the energized areas of the songs. This is an album that I can sit down and listen to and never get bored with the songs. Everytime I listen I can almost feel ATDI's energy being driven into me through my headphones, making me want to yell, kick, scream, and break things. An utterly and completely beautiful album that, in my opinion, will be remembered as a classic in years to come.… Expand
  28. DamianP
    Aug 17, 2004
    10
    My all time favourite driving CD. After more than 3 years, I still love this album.
  29. ShahirS
    Aug 6, 2004
    10
    Fantastic.
  30. SamT'SDad
    Oct 11, 2005
    10
    At the Drive in is not EMo! Its art rock!
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Awards & Rankings

56
#56 Best Album of 2000
8
#8 Most Discussed Album of 2000
19
#19 Most Shared Album of 2000

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. PopMatters
    70
    The album's only weakness is its awful track sequence. At times it can be uncomfortable to listen to. The songs don't seem to fit together in the order they have been laid out for the listener.
    Read full review
  2. New Musical Express (NME)
    90
    ATDI's latest album has its amps cranked to the hilt from start to finish. Far from being another in a long line of sanitised American punk rock albums, 'Relationship Of Command' sounds REAL.
    Read full review
  3. Neumu.net
    80
    The music roars along, occasionally slowing to build tension, then letting loose with a corrosive guitar assault.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »