Musically, the band set out to differentiate itself from other
third wave ska groups, an effort that was met with mixed results. An
AllMusic reviewer found that the band's approach was "status quo", pointing out that the sound of "Handbook for the Sellout" was similar to
Reel Big Fish's "
Sell Out." echoing a representation of the
futility of life without God. "Second Season" takes a similar thread, explaining that "The strongest will expire just the same... Try to make my shoulders broad, but I am helpless without God." The band also takes on itself, examining its own success and members. In "Superpowers" the band humorously describes the trials of life on the road, "Superpowers" is not the only
music industry-themed song. "Litmus" takes a swipe at the band's critics within the
Christian music industry, with a message that the amount of "Godliness" cannot be resolved through clean-cut measures. "You say preach, they say rock. You put my God inside a box," the lyricist states. Another cut along the same lines is the opening track, "Handbook For The Sellout." "Suckerpunch" is about how even "rejects" and "misfits" like nerdy teenagers are loved and accepted by God. It echoes the "God is in your corner" theme that is also espoused on "Banner Year." "Oh, Canada" takes a
Tongue-in-cheek look at Canada. The song makes reference to the country as "the
maple leaf state," and mentions elements associated with the country including
lemmings,
mooses,
yaks, elements of
French Canadian culture,
Royal Mounties,
Slurpees made of
Venison, and Canada-native
William Shatner. The album closes with the worshipful "Every New Day." One reviewer called it without a doubt the best song on the album", noting in retrospect that it closed many of their shows up until the band disbanded. The song is about how
daily life and daily struggles can obscure faith. The song draws two lines from
The Tyger, a poem by
William Blake. The musical melody of the outro horn line contains similarities to the ending vocal melody from the
Nerf Herder song "Golfshirt". This horn line was rewritten for the "Winners Never Quit" tour. The end of the song was reprised on "On Distant Shores", the final track of the band's last studio album,
The End Is Near. Following "Every New Day" is the hidden track, "Godzilla". ==Track listing==