Editing Relationship of Command

{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Infobox album
| name         = Relationship of Command
| type         = studio
| artist       = [[At the Drive-In]]
| cover        = At the Drive-In - Relationship of Command cover.jpg
| alt          = 
| released     = {{Start date|2000|9|12}}
| recorded     = January–March 2000
| venue        = 
| studio       = Indigo Ranch Studios ([[Malibu, California]])
| genre        = *[[Post-hardcore]]
| length       = 45:31
| label        = * [[Grand Royal]]
* [[Fearless Records|Fearless]]
* [[Virgin Records|Virgin]]
| producer     = [[Ross Robinson]]
| prev_title   = [[Sunshine / At the Drive-In]]
| prev_year    = 2000
| next_title   = [[This Station Is Non-Operational]]
| next_year    = 2005
| misc         = {{Singles
 | name        = Relationship of Command
 | type        = studio
 | single1     = [[One Armed Scissor]]
 | single1date = August 7, 2000
 | single2     = Rolodex Propaganda
 | single2date = December 4, 2000
 | single3     = [[Invalid Litter Dept.]]
 | single3date = March 12, 2001
}}
}}

'''''Relationship of Command''''' is the third studio album by American [[post-hardcore]] band [[At the Drive-In]], released on September 12, 2000. The album combines an aggressive edge with a melodic drive, harmonious, emotive vocals, and surreal lyrics.<ref>{{cite web|last=Butler |first=Blake |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/relationship-of-command-japan-bonus-tracks-r957102/review |title=Relationship of Command [Japan Bonus Tracks&#93; – At the Drive-In |publisher=AllMusic |date=September 12, 2000 |accessdate=October 17, 2011}}</ref> While it continues in the alternative style of At the Drive-In's previous albums, ''Relationship of Command'' is seen as a more well-rounded album than its predecessors. Initially received positively by critics, the album is now seen not only as one of the most influential post-hardcore albums of the 2000s,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=274771 |title=At the Drive-In – Relationship of Command – Album Review |publisher=[[AbsolutePunk]] |accessdate=October 17, 2011}}</ref> but also as one of the most accomplished recent works in the wider rock spectrum.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/jjpn |title=Music - Review of At the Drive-In - Relationship of Command |publisher=BBC |accessdate=March 6, 2012}}</ref> ''Relationship of Command'' was voted twelfth out of 100 in the Albums of the Decade by ''[[NME]]'',<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nme.com/list/the-top-100-greatest-albums-of-the-decade-1381|title=The Top 100 Greatest Albums Of The Decade|date=November 18, 2009|newspaper=NME|language=en-US|access-date=December 3, 2016}}</ref> and the 37th most influential album of all time by ''[[Kerrang!]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/kerrang.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060216032059/http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/kerrang.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=February 16, 2006 |title=Rocklist.net...Kerrang! Lists Page 1 |access-date=October 17, 2011}}</ref> It was the band's final album to feature founding guitarist [[Jim Ward (musician)|Jim Ward]].

==Background and recording==
''Relationship of Command'' was recorded over a seven-week period starting on January 17, 2000,<ref name=PNrecord>{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/249/at-the-drive-in-record-news|title=At the Drive-In Record News|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Paul, Aubin|date=December 28, 1999|accessdate=February 6, 2021}}</ref> following a tour supporting [[Rage Against the Machine]]. The album was recorded at the Indigo Ranch Studios, in [[Malibu, California]], and was produced by [[Ross Robinson]] and mixed by [[Andy Wallace (producer)|Andy Wallace]]. Known for his unorthodox production methods, Robinson at one point took bass player [[Paul Hinojos]] for a drive in his [[SUV]] through the hills of Malibu to get his adrenaline going prior to recording. He also brought [[Iggy Pop]] to the studio for a guest appearance; [[Omar Rodriguez-Lopez|Omar Rodriguez]] commented: "[Ross] had been talking to Iggy because they were gonna work together. I don't know if they ever did, but they'd sort of been chatting, so Ross had passed him our previous records and he liked them. So, of course I brought up the idea, "Why not [have Iggy] come and do something on the album?" Ross mentioned it to Iggy, and he was completely open to it. He came down to the studio for a whole day in which he sang [on "Rolodex Propaganda"] and did the ransom note [on "Enfilade"]."<ref name="altpress">{{cite web|title=The Class of 2000: Omar Rodriguez-Lopez on At The Drive-In's "Relationship Of Command"|url=http://www.altpress.com/features/entry/the_class_of_2000_omar_rodriguez-lopez_on_at_the_drive-ins_relationshi/|publisher=Alternative Press|accessdate=May 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120530231448/http://www.altpress.com/features/entry/the_class_of_2000_omar_rodriguez-lopez_on_at_the_drive-ins_relationshi|archive-date=May 30, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2010, Rodriguez stated that he felt the album was “ruined by the mix”, calling it “plastic” and said he did not feel it captured the band’s true energy.<ref name="altpress"/>  

The album's cover artwork (including the covers for the singles "One Armed Scissor," "Invalid Litter Dept." and "Rolodex Propaganda"), illustrated by [[Damon Locks]], all revolve around imagery of the [[Trojan War]], and the [[Trojan Horse]] in particular.

==Release==
In March 2000, the band embarked on a five-week tour of Europe, two of which were spent with Sunshine. Following this, the band played a few shows in Japan in May, with [[Eastern Youth]]. They returned to the US, in time for a July tour.<ref name=PNrecord/> "One Armed Scissor" was released as a single in August 2000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/691/relationship-of-command|title=Relationship of Command|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Paul, Aubin|date=August 10, 2000|accessdate=February 8, 2021}}</ref> ''Relationship of Command'' was released on September 12, 2000.<ref name="Butler"/> In March 2001, the band went on indefinite hiatus.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/1277/breakups-at-the-drive-in-1994-2001|title=At The Drive-In (1994-2001)|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Paul, Aubin|date=March 29, 2001|accessdate=February 9, 2021}}</ref>

==Reception==

===Critical reception===
{{Music ratings
| MC = 77/100<ref name="MC">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/relationship-of-command/at-the-drive-in |title=Reviews for Relationship Of Command by At The Drive-In |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |accessdate=October 17, 2011}}</ref>
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="Butler">{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/relationship-of-command-mw0000099225 |title=Relationship of Command – At the Drive-In |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |accessdate=November 1, 2015 |last=Butler |first=Blake}}</ref>
| rev2 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
| rev2Score = A<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.ew.com/article/2000/09/15/music-review-relationship-command |title=Relationship of Command |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=September 15, 2000 |accessdate=November 1, 2015 |last=Raftery |first=Brian M.}}</ref>
| rev3 = ''[[The Guardian]]''
| rev3Score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/friday_review/story/0,,374450,00.html |title=At the Drive-In: Relationship of Command (Grand Royal) |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=September 29, 2000 |accessdate=June 7, 2019 |last=Simpson |first=Dave}}</ref>
| rev4 = ''[[Melody Maker]]''
| rev4Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite journal |title=At the Drive-In: Relationship of Command |journal=[[Melody Maker]] |date=September 19, 2000 |page=50}}</ref>
| rev5 = ''[[Metal Hammer]]''
| rev5Score = 10/10<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Kulkarni |first=Neil |date=November 2000 |title=Under The Hammer {{!}} At The Drive-In: Relationship of Command|journal=[[Metal Hammer]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |issue=80 |pages=80}}</ref>
| rev6 = ''[[NME]]''
| rev6Score = 9/10<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews/20000919133555.html |title=At The Drive-In – Relationship Of Command |journal=[[NME]] |date=September 23, 2000 |accessdate=November 1, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001017212553/http://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews/20000919133555.html |archive-date=October 17, 2000 |last=Capper |first=Andy |page=34 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| rev7 = ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]''
| rev7Score = 6.1/10 {{small|(2004)}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/329-relationship-of-command/ |title=At the Drive-In: Relationship of Command |work=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |date=November 9, 2004 |accessdate=November 1, 2015 |last1=Richard-San |first1=Mark |last2=Schreiber |first2=Ryan}}</ref><br />8.3/10 {{small|(2013)}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/17973-at-the-drive-in-acrobatic-tenement-relationship-of-command/ |title=At the Drive-In: Acrobatic Tenement / Relationship of Command |work=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |date=April 29, 2013 |accessdate=November 1, 2015 |last=Cohen |first=Ian}}</ref>
| rev8 = ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]''
| rev8score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite journal |title=At the Drive-In: Relationship of Command |journal=[[Q (magazine)|Q]] |issue=171 |date=December 2000 |page=118}}</ref>
| rev9 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
| rev9Score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/atthedrivein/albums/album/132089/review/5940453/relationship_of_command |title=At the Drive-In: Relationship Of Command |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |issue=850 |date=September 28, 2000 |accessdate=November 1, 2015 |last=Chonin |first=Neva |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080620143257/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/atthedrivein/albums/album/132089/review/5940453/relationship_of_command |archive-date=June 20, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| rev10 = ''[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]''
| rev10Score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref>{{cite journal |title=At the Drive-In: Relationship of Command |journal=[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]] |issue=41 |date=October 2000 |page=80}}</ref>
| rev11 = ''[[The Village Voice]]''
| rev11Score = A−<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cgv101-01.php |title=Consumer Guide: Dub for Dummies |work=[[The Village Voice]] |date=January 23, 2001 |accessdate=November 1, 2015 |last=Christgau |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Christgau}}</ref>
}}

The album initially received generally positive reviews, with [[Metacritic]] giving the album an aggregate score of 77.<ref name="MC"/> The album is now seen as one of the most influential rock albums of the decade,{{citation needed|date=June 2015}} with it being ranked 47th in the 50 Greatest Albums of the 21st century in ''[[Kerrang!]]'', number 83 on ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' magazine's 100 Greatest Albums 1985–2005,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spin.com/features/magazine/covers/2005/06/0507_cover_greatest_albums/ |title=100 Greatest Albums, 1985–2005 |publisher=SPIN.com |date=June 20, 2005 |accessdate=October 17, 2011}}</ref> 6th in ''[[State (magazine)|State]]'' magazine's 100 albums of the decade,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.state.ie/2009/12/albums-decade/states-albums-of-the-decade-the-top-ten/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091218010818/http://www.state.ie/2009/12/albums-decade/states-albums-of-the-decade-the-top-ten/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 18, 2009 |title=State's albums of the decade – The Top Ten - State Magazine &#124; Music &#124; News &#124; Reviews &#124; Live |accessdate=December 14, 2016}}</ref> 3rd in JustPressPlay's Top 100 Albums of the 2000s,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.justpressplay.net/music/music-news/6289-fifty-years-of-great-music-the-top-100-albums-of-the-2000s.html |title=Fifty Years of Great Music: The Top 100 Albums of the 2000s |publisher=Justpressplay.net |accessdate=October 17, 2011}}</ref> 52nd in ''[[Decibel (magazine)|Decibel]]'' magazine's Greatest 100 albums of the decade,<ref>[http://www.terrorizer.com/main-forum/music/decibel-mags-greatest-100-albums-decade]{{dead link|date=December 2016}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> 117th in ''[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]'' magazine's 150 Albums of the decade,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uncut.co.uk/uncut/uncuts-150-albums-of-the-decade-interview|title=Uncut's 150 Albums of the Decade! – Uncut.co.uk |publisher=Google  |accessdate=October 17, 2011}}</ref> as well as being ranked at number 90 on [[MTV2]]'s greatest albums ever list.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.co.uk/channels/mtv-two/chart/greatest-albums-ever |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090310113027/http://www.mtv.co.uk/channels/mtv-two/chart/greatest-albums-ever |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 10, 2009 |title=MTV TWO Greatest Albums Ever |publisher=Mtv.co.uk |date=March 27, 2011 |accessdate=October 17, 2011}}</ref> A retrospective BBC music review hailed the significance of Relationship of Command's uniqueness, calling the album "mesmerising" and a "statement of grand intent that could never be followed."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/jjpn |title=Music – Review of At the Drive-In – Relationship of Command |publisher=BBC  |accessdate=October 17, 2011}}</ref>

In 2005, the album was ranked number 423 in ''[[Rock Hard (magazine)|Rock Hard]]'' magazine's book ''The 500 Greatest Rock & Metal Albums of All Time''.<ref>{{cite book|title=Best of Rock & Metal - Die 500 stärksten Scheiben aller Zeiten|year=2005|publisher=[[Rock Hard (magazine)|Rock Hard]]|language=de|isbn=3-89880-517-4|page=41}}</ref> The album is also seen as an influential guitar album, being ranked number 94 in a [[Guitar World]] reader's poll of the 100 greatest guitar albums of all time. This list appeared in the October 2006 issue of [[Guitar World]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://chud.com/forums/showthread.php?t=93854 |title=BROADCAST NEWS Discussion |publisher=Chud.com |accessdate=October 17, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070823050531/http://chud.com/forums/showthread.php?t=93854 |archive-date=August 23, 2007 }}</ref>

===Legacy===
Following the release of the album, At the Drive-In gained brief mainstream critical and commercial success, with ''Relationship of Command'' appearing in end-of-year lists of the best albums of 2000 by publications such as the ''Los Angeles Times'' and ''[[Rolling Stone]]'', as well as becoming their first album to reach the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]. The band also made appearances on shows such as ''[[Late Night with Conan O'Brien]]'' and the ''[[Late Show with David Letterman]]''. However, despite this success, the band went on an indefinite hiatus in 2001, with the members splitting to form [[The Mars Volta]] and [[Sparta (band)|Sparta]].

The album was included in ''[[Rock Sound]]''{{'}}s 101 Modern Classics list at number 4.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rocksound.tv/features/read/rock-sounds-101-modern-classics-the-final-instalment|title=Rock Sound's 101 Modern Classics: The Final Instalment!|work=Rock Sound Magazine|date=July 11, 2012 |accessdate=July 6, 2015}}</ref> The album was ranked at number 177 on ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]''{{'}}s "The 300 Best Albums of the Past 30 Years (1985–2014)" list.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spin.com/2015/05/the-300-best-albums-of-the-past-30-years-1985-2014/3/|title=The 300 Best Albums of the Past 30 Years (1985-2014)|work=Spin|author=Martins, Chris|date=May 11, 2015|page=3|accessdate=August 6, 2015}}</ref> In 2019, the album was ranked 42nd on ''[[The Guardian]]'''s 100 Best Albums of the 21st Century list.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/sep/13/100-best-albums-of-the-21st-century |title=The 100 best albums of the 21st century |work=The Guardian |date=September 13, 2019 |accessdate=September 18, 2019 }}</ref> In 2020, it was named one of the 20 best metal albums of 2000 by ''[[Metal Hammer]]'' magazine.<ref name="MHtop2000">{{cite web |title=The Top 20 best metal albums of 2000 |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-top-20-best-metal-albums-of-2000 |website=[[Metal Hammer]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |access-date=March 6, 2021 |date=September 29, 2020}}</ref> Journalists Leslie Simon and Trevor Kelley included the album in their list of the most essential emo releases in their book ''Everybody Hurts: An Essential Guide to Emo Culture'' (2007).<ref>Simon; Kelley 2007, p. 171</ref> ''Alternative Press'' ranked "One Armed Scissor" at number one on their list of the best 100 singles from the 2000s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/36083/at-the-drive-ins-one-armed-scissor-tops-aps-haircut-100-singles-countdown|title=At The Drive-In's 'One Armed Scissor' tops AP's 'Haircut 100' singles countdown|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Paul, Aubin|date=November 20, 2009|access-date=October 13, 2022}}</ref>

==Track listing==
{{Track listing
| extra_column   = 
| total_length   = 
| all_music    = At the Drive-In<ref name="Butler"/>
| all_lyrics    = [[Cedric Bixler-Zavala]] and [[Omar Rodríguez-López]]
| title1         = Arcarsenal
| length1        = 2:55
| title2         = Pattern Against User
| length2        = 3:17
| title3         = [[One Armed Scissor]]
| length3        = 4:19
| title4         = Sleepwalk Capsules
| length4        = 3:27
| title5         = [[Invalid Litter Dept.]]
| length5        = 6:05
| title6         = Mannequin Republic
| length6        = 3:02
| title7         = Enfilade
| length7        = 5:01
| title8         = Rolodex Propaganda
| length8        = 2:55
| title9         = Quarantined
| length9        = 5:24
| title10        = Cosmonaut
| length10       = 3:23
| title11        = Non-Zero Possibility
| length11       = 5:36
}}
{{Track listing
| headline     = Japanese and re-release bonus tracks
| title12        = [[Sunshine / At the Drive-In|Extracurricular]]
| length12       = 3:59
| title13        = Catacombs
| length13       = 4:14
| note13         = Re-Recording. Original version appeared on a Thick Records split 7-inch with [[Burning Airlines]]' The Deluxe War Baby, and Plea For Peace/Take Action Vol 1.
}}
{{Track listing
| headline     = 2012 Australian reissue bonus disc. These tracks were recorded live in 2001 by [[Triple J]] for ''[[Live at the Wireless]]''.
| title1        = Arcarsenal
| length1       = 3:49
| title2        = Quarantined
| length2       = 9:51
| title3        = One-Armed Scissor
| length3       = 3:59
}}

==Personnel==
'''At the Drive-In'''
*[[Cedric Bixler-Zavala]] – lead vocals, guitar on "Rolodex Propaganda", melodica on "Enfilade", percussion
*[[Jim Ward (musician)|Jim Ward]] – guitar, vocals, keyboards
*[[Omar Rodríguez-López]] – guitar, backing vocals
*[[Paul Hinojos]] – bass
*[[Tony Hajjar]] – drums, percussion 
'''Other musicians'''
*[[Iggy Pop]] – guest vocals on "Rolodex Propaganda" and "Enfilade"
'''Technical personnel'''
*[[Ross Robinson]] – producer
*Chuck Johnson – [[Audio engineering|engineer]]
*Zak Girdis – assistant engineer
*Kevin Bosley – assistant engineer
*[[Andy Wallace (producer)|Andy Wallace]] – mixing
*Eddy Schreyer – mastering
*[[Damon Locks]] – illustrations
*Jason Farrell – layout design

==Charts==
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Chart (2000)
! Peak<br>position
|-
! scope="row"| [[ARIA Charts|Australian Albums Chart]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=At+The+Drive%2DIn&titel=Relationship+Of+Command&cat=a|title=At The Drive-In – Relationship Of Command|publisher=australian-charts.com|accessdate=February 24, 2021}}</ref>
| 25
|-
!scope="row"| [[UK Albums Chart]] ([[Official Charts Company|OCC]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-chart/20000924/7502/|title=Official Album Chart Top 100|website=[[Official Charts Company]]|access-date=February 24, 2021}}</ref>
| 33
|-
{{album chart|Billboard200|116|artist=At the Drive-In|rowheader=true|access-date=February 24, 2021}}
|-
{{album chart|BillboardHeatseekers|1|artist=At the Drive-In|rowheader=true|access-date=February 24, 2021}}
|}

==Certifications==
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=album|award=Gold|title=Relationship Of Command|certyear=2012|relyear=2000}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=album|award=Gold|title=Relationship Of Command|id=9324-2699-2|relyear=2000|certyear=2013}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true}}

==References==
'''Citations'''
{{Reflist}}

'''Sources'''
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book|last1=Simon|first1=Leslie|last2=Kelley|first2=Trevor|title=Everybody Hurts: An Essential Guide to Emo Culture|year=2007|publisher=[[HarperCollins|HarperEntertainment]]|location=New York City|isbn=978-0-06-119539-6}}
{{refend}}

{{At the Drive-In}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Relationship Of Command}}
[[Category:At the Drive-In albums]]
[[Category:2000 albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Ross Robinson]]
[[Category:Fearless Records albums]]
[[Category:Grand Royal albums]]