Relient K's 2011 EP
Is for Karaoke features the exuberant punk-pop ensemble running through a handful of inspired cover songs. Covers have been a staple of the group's live set since their beginning, and it's clear, based on the high quality of these versions, that they have an affinity for picking songs they can really deliver. To these ends, the band dives into such cuts as
Cindi Lauper's "Girls Just Want to Have Fun,"
Tom Petty's "Here Comes My Girl,"
Justin Bieber's "Baby," and
Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy," among others. These are melodic, eminently listenable recordings that make the most of the original song while never losing
Relient K's own punk-pop sound.
–
Matt Collar, Rovi