Ha Ha Tonka's lyrics replicate the paradox that exists in the Midwestern Bible Belt that they know so well, where the realities of meth use, strip clubs, socio-economic hardship, and backwoods prejudices meet the literal interpretations of biblical story-tellers. This Ozark milieu creates some contradictory notions, but also some of the most poignant folk and gospel musical traditions in the nation's history. The band�s first single from the album, �St. Nick on the Fourth in a Fervor�, is the most representative of the band�s sound, combining harmonies and biting guitar riffs with lyrics that delve into issues of nationalism, religious allegiances, and rites of passage. A lyric from the song captures the experience of this album precisely: ��this glimpse of brilliance is much better than your long look at mediocrity.�