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Relationship Of Command
by
Relationship Of Command Image
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 138 Ratings

  • Summary: This is the final release for At The Drive-In, who later split to form groups Sparta and The Mars Volta.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. Drowned In Sound
    100
    The new album, Relationship of Command, is one of the most amazing collections of music I have ever heard.
  2. Tiny Mix Tapes
    100
    RELATIONSHIP OF COMMAND IS THE GREATEST ROCK ALBUM I HAVE HEARD IN THE LAST TEN YEARS.
  3. Village Voice (Consumer Guide)
    91
    In a bad time for young guitar bands, including many barely forgettable ones lumped under the trade name "emo," these ambitious yowlers are reason for hope.
  4. L.A. Weekly
    70
    Producer Ross Robinson (Korn, Deftones, Slipknot, etc.) brings a degree of alt-rock punch to the proceedings, but there's more than enough garage grit left in the grooves to keep the indie kids smirking. There's certainly some downtime on Relationship of Command, but when it hits you'll be smarting, and smiling.
  5. Mojo
    70
    They deliver breathless, urgent rifferama, elements of which can be traced to RATM, The Stooges and Placebo.
  6. CDNow
    70
    When a band amasses most of its fan base from constant touring, as ATDI has, creating an album that captures the rawness of live shows is paramount. This natural ingredient in its sound is captured beautifully on Relationship of Command.
  7. Rolling Stone
    60
    Producer Ross Robinson (Korn, Slipknot) adds some arena sheen, true. But it's not enough to smooth the edges off "Arc Arsenal," a primal tantrum against rebels "robbed . . . of their cause," or to homogenize the ragged beats and mind-bending guitar flurries of "Enfilade."

See all 14 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 60 out of 62
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 62
  3. Negative: 0 out of 62
  1. MattB
    Jun 2, 2004
    10
    Truly fantastic album...band reminds me of Disaster Strikes, probably the greatest anarcho-punk band.
  2. 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 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
  4. 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 trueArguably 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
  5. JR
    Sep 10, 2004
    10
    This is my favorite CD. Ever. At the Drive-In is amazing.
  6. SamT'SDad
    Oct 11, 2005
    10
    At the Drive in is not EMo! Its art rock!
  7. 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 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.… Expand
  8. 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. 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.… Expand

See all 62 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

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

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