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.”