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. NightVisions
    Jan 31, 2023
    6
    A very dynamic album that has some truly well executed ideas. Probably one of the bands that tests the limits of how to sing and using the voice as an instrument. Overall The album doesn't really speak to me and The Mars Volta don't really try to capture and refine this sound, but they instead decided to move on it seems. Which I can completely respect as an artist, but I'm a littleA very dynamic album that has some truly well executed ideas. Probably one of the bands that tests the limits of how to sing and using the voice as an instrument. Overall The album doesn't really speak to me and The Mars Volta don't really try to capture and refine this sound, but they instead decided to move on it seems. Which I can completely respect as an artist, but I'm a little disappointed as a fan.… Expand
  2. Edvard74
    Feb 21, 2017
    10
    It's been 16 years and it's still as powerful as it was the first time i heard it. Few albums reach this level of musical accomplishement.

    Chef d'oeuvre!
  3. skyminster
    Sep 11, 2014
    10
    Relationship of Command, At the Drive-In's last album, is by far their best. It's heavier, it's melodies and bass/guitar riffs are incredible, the musical variety is brilliant, and Cedric's voice is a lot better than in previous albums. Furthermore; it's got unrelenting musicality, and the guitar, bass and drums blend exceptionally, creating a rocking crescendo of mad noise, worked into anRelationship of Command, At the Drive-In's last album, is by far their best. It's heavier, it's melodies and bass/guitar riffs are incredible, the musical variety is brilliant, and Cedric's voice is a lot better than in previous albums. Furthermore; it's got unrelenting musicality, and the guitar, bass and drums blend exceptionally, creating a rocking crescendo of mad noise, worked into an unbelievably awesome composition: with Cedric screaming over the top of it all, it meshes into the perfect punk rock music.

    However, their are a few minor things that I didn't particularly like; for instance, the background singing and some of Cedric's singing is still out of tune. But, while I wrote that, I heard an incomprehensibly awesome part of 'Invalid Litter Department' (probably the best song on the album), so don't take those criticisms seriously, because I was just completely awesomed out.

    Another note is that the band members clearly have a sense of humor, and have probably taken lots of drugs; this adds to the hypnagogic and mad feel to the album.

    The album is improved by the progression and the relentlessness of it; it's like if you got past At the Drive-In and mixed it with The Mars Volta and August Burns Red.

    The surreality of the album, the perfect length of it and the memorability of the album make Relationship of Command a punk rock masterpiece (in it's own right as good as The Mars Volta's 'De-Loused in the Comatorium').

    So I give it a 9.8/10. One of the best albums I've ever heard.

    P.S. The best songs are 'Mannequin Republic' and 'Invalid Letter Department' (as I mentioned).    … Expand
  4. AJ_antipop
    Mar 4, 2013
    10
    This is one of my favorite records of all time. In my top ten at least. One of the most energetic and forward-looking recordings to ever see daylight. While The Mars Volta was a good band, none of their albums will ever reach this level of excitement and intensity.
  5. prytania
    Aug 21, 2012
    10
    Arguably one of the most important post-hardcore albums in the history of the genre. What Bixler, Rodriguez and Co accomplished here is a true triumph. They managed to make an album that was accessible enough to bring people into the fold of post-hardcore, while still maintaining credibility among the stalwart fans of the genre through urgency, songwriting prowess and phenomenalArguably one of the most important post-hardcore albums in the history of the genre. What Bixler, Rodriguez and Co accomplished here is a true triumph. They managed to make an album that was accessible enough to bring people into the fold of post-hardcore, while still maintaining credibility among the stalwart fans of the genre through urgency, songwriting prowess and phenomenal instrumentation. Even Bixler's voice, that initially might take some getting used to, quickly becomes one of the best parts of this breathtaking album after a few listens.… Expand
  6. j30
    Sep 28, 2011
    9
    A punk/rock record that'll kick your teeth in. This is just a great LP from the boys down in Austin. Understandably the precursor to Mars Volta's De-loused In the Comatorium. I can't recommend this enough.
  7. Vampire25
    Dec 15, 2010
    10
    This is one of my favorite rock albums. It's utterly amazing. The vocals are some of the best I've ever heard and the musicianship is incredible. "Pattern Against User" is one of my favorite songs of all time. All In All, One of my favorite albums. A
  8. 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
  9. DavidF.
    Dec 5, 2007
    9
    Surprised the Metacritic score isn't higher.
  10. lolrofllmao0.o
    Apr 22, 2007
    10
    What an album. What a band.
  11. 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.
  12. MichaelM
    Nov 12, 2006
    10
    Best album Ive ever heard.Full Stop
  13. TMW
    Aug 19, 2006
    10
    The best hardcore album ever recorded. you just need to listen to it a couple times to understand. and im sad and happy that atdi broke up cause The Mars Volta are mind bobbling.
  14. 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.
  15. DeezerD
    Jun 11, 2006
    10
    Probably one of the greatest rock albums ever recorded, in my opinion.
  16. TomC
    Jun 2, 2006
    10
    Easily one of my favorite albums ever. The low rating on here is sad indeed.
  17. MattP
    Nov 24, 2005
    5
    Mindless screaming is not music. One Armed Scissor is great, and that's about it. Sounds about as revolutionary as the last sh*t I took. Thank God for the break up because The Mars Volta is 100x better.
  18. TimE
    Nov 8, 2005
    8
    Who in the blue hell are AFI, the Used, Dashboard Confessional, Story of the Year and Taking Back Sunday? What nerve these posers have even thinking they could match up to the God's of all things emo. If Coachella doesn't get these guys back together soon than there's no way they can consider themselves groundbreaking.
  19. NickW
    Oct 16, 2005
    10
    I was introduced to this by my 17 year old son yesterday. I am 50 I amtotally totally blown away by it. IT IS A MASTERPIECE. I am lost for words. IMPOSSIBLE TO OVERSTATE HOW BRILLIANT THIS ALBUM IS.
  20. SamT'SDad
    Oct 11, 2005
    10
    At the Drive in is not EMo! Its art rock!
  21. samt
    Sep 3, 2005
    10
    GREATEST emocore cd off alltime? Ohhhhhh i think so
  22. [Anonymous]
    Sep 1, 2005
    10
    After hearing Relationship Of Command, I now compare all similar music I hear to At The Drive-In. There's absolutely no filler here, though it could use a little more variety. Seriously, though, this album changed how I see music. I'm afraid I can't wish they hadn't split up--TMV is one of my favorite all time bands. oh, and i agree with After hearing Relationship Of Command, I now compare all similar music I hear to At The Drive-In. There's absolutely no filler here, though it could use a little more variety. Seriously, though, this album changed how I see music. I'm afraid I can't wish they hadn't split up--TMV is one of my favorite all time bands. oh, and i agree with Bobby-'CHIKALALAKILAKAYAYAYAYA!!!!' is my favorite moment on the album.… Expand
  23. GlennM
    Aug 27, 2005
    10
    Awsome and better than The Mars Volta, sucks that they stopped being at the drive in.
  24. AidanK
    Aug 25, 2005
    10
    This album is just brilliant one of the best albums i've ever heard, and 'invalid litter dept' is just magnificent
  25. BobbyF
    Aug 2, 2005
    10
    Underrated upon release and a thousand times more soulful than anything TMV will ever produce. When Cedric goes insane and screams 'CHIKALALAKILAKAYAYAYAYA!!!!' after that intense buildup on Cosmonaut... just wow.
  26. NofsGrrrl
    Jun 21, 2005
    9
    It is unwise to compare this album to Mars Volta, because they are two TOTALLY different bands! Thus the reason for the split... With that out of the way... This album is one I pop into the CD player and thoroughly enjoy from start to finish. Great teeth grinding rock that captures something that most rock bands haven't even heard of. That rare working combination of rawness, It is unwise to compare this album to Mars Volta, because they are two TOTALLY different bands! Thus the reason for the split... With that out of the way... This album is one I pop into the CD player and thoroughly enjoy from start to finish. Great teeth grinding rock that captures something that most rock bands haven't even heard of. That rare working combination of rawness, sing-song, and oddity. I was sad when they broke up, but out of that came Mars Volta which kicks unspeakable @$$. And ATDI left on the best note possible, Relationship of Command, which will be recognized, when we are old farts, as the best punk album of the turn of the milennium.… Expand
  27. Zac
    Mar 23, 2005
    10
    Great, great album. I discovered this album after listening to TMV for a while. Its so amazing to see how Omar and Cedric have evolved so greatly as musicians in between this one and Deloused. Two very distinct sounds, but both great. I wish that Relationship could've had some greater variety though. As mentioned earlier, the vocals may turn some people off, but everything as a whole Great, great album. I discovered this album after listening to TMV for a while. Its so amazing to see how Omar and Cedric have evolved so greatly as musicians in between this one and Deloused. Two very distinct sounds, but both great. I wish that Relationship could've had some greater variety though. As mentioned earlier, the vocals may turn some people off, but everything as a whole on Relationship is pure genius.… Expand
  28. 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???????????
  29. Matt
    Mar 3, 2005
    8
    Excellent album; a little uneven and certainly overshadowed by TMV, but a little rawer and more punkish.
  30. ChrisD
    Feb 10, 2005
    9
    Maybe a little more variety would perfect the album, but it's undoubtedly irreplacable in style and sound. In a way, the forced restriction of Omar/Cedric's meandering impulses makes it work; TMV are fantastic in their own right, but here the restriction makes the songs' seams burst with fury and ideas. A one-off classic, effortlessly surpassing the worthless Maybe a little more variety would perfect the album, but it's undoubtedly irreplacable in style and sound. In a way, the forced restriction of Omar/Cedric's meandering impulses makes it work; TMV are fantastic in their own right, but here the restriction makes the songs' seams burst with fury and ideas. A one-off classic, effortlessly surpassing the worthless post-genre-core-wave movements since.… Expand
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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 »