You are hereRelient K - latest CD
Relient K - latest CD
The latest offering from Relient K is "Forget and Not Slow Down" - 15 tracks (11 really), 43mins - well produced by Mark Lee Townsend.
For those not 'in the know' Relient K is a US based band whose members have not always shone their lights bright for God (just like you and I). The first song, 'Forget and not slow down' seems to alude to this.
Before I give my impressions of the album may I get a couple of things off my chest. Number 1 - this is NOT a punk album. Far from it. It's a rock album; sometimes alternative but not punk. Number 2 - if you are looking for an album that sings the praises of the Lord Jesus then look elsewhere. God gets mentioned once. This is not a praise album, ok!
Now, you are waiting for a criticism about this; aren't you? No. This review is simply based on the album itself - as a musical album - as a collection of songs put together by a bunch of very clever musos who happen to be Christians.
Is there really such a thing as 'Christian music?
OK - here's what I like. The drumming is fantastic (from new band member - Ethan Luck). This is the first thing that really struck me. Clever drumming, not overdone or overdominant BUT there!!!
Secondly, I really like thoughtful & even cryptic lyrics. Matt Thiessen wrote all the lyrics and he has done a good job (by that I mean he caused me to think about his lyrics). For example, on "Therapy": This is just therapy /Let's call it what it is /(Not what we were) /With a death-grip on this life always transitioning /This is just therapy/Cause you won't take my calls and that makes God/The only one who's left here listening to me
Thirdly, there is a fair degree of relationship type lyrics that shape this album. In "I Don't Need a Soul" we hear: Departing from the hospital/Ill news shows on your face too well/You're trying not to cough at all it hurts/All options are exhausted all your numbered days are numbered small/I miss you now/I loved you/And I know things could still be worse
Lastly, I thought the hours & hours & hours of perfecting the songs' individual tempos (& changes within - sometimes radical) makes this a really good album. Combined with clear lyrics & effective harmonies- pretty stunning stuff.
Verdict: I do like it BUT it has taken quite a few plays (and I mean a quite a few!) to like it. But now it is really growing on me & I think the musical nuances (which I have come to really appreciate) come out best by listening with headphones (eg "Savannah" - this is a captivating song).
My favourite songs: "Part Of It" - pretty full on with some clever vocal changes with the repetitious line: "Perspective is a lovely hand to hold".
"Savannah" as I have already mentioned - heaps of vocal and musical changes that actually work.
Finally, would I part with my money to buy it? Yes, BUT remember, lyrically it is about love and life - not a commentary on Jesus. This needs to be understood.
FURTHER REVIEWS:
Wiki (of course!). This album is available at:
(CHRISTIAN FAITH is a non-commercial site. Some companies very kindly donate products to us to be reviewed - at our invitation. Our reviews are our opinions; written in terms of how useful a product may be to you.)
