Album Review: Forget and Not Slow Down
Josh Boden
Issue date: 11/19/09 Section: Magazine
It's been eight years since "Sadie Hawkins Dance" became the unofficial anthem for youth groups across the nation. Now the guys who got every Christian kid and their grandmother bopping their heads to the same tunes are at it again.
Forget and Not Slow Down is the sixth full-length album for the foursome-turned-threesome-turned-fivesome from Canton, Ohio. Permanent fixtures in the Christian Contemporary Music scene, they've experienced moderate mainstream successes in recent years and an almost complete change of line-up.
What hasn't changed, though, is the sincere but quirky cleverness that has been at the foundation of their success thus far. Gone are the days, however, when frontman Matt Theissen sang about pink tuxes and mood rings. Forget and Not Slow Down very clearly deals with heartache and pain, a project birthed out of Theissen's break up with his fiance.
So how does Relient K deal with such devastation? The same way they always have - by making fun music.
The album opens with the title track, a burst of pounding guitars and inspirational lyrics reminiscent of Jimmy Eat World anthems of old. From the outset, the album's theme is established - when life throws you lemons, just bop your head and sing until you feel better.
Theissen makes no attempts to hide the pain he feels. Instead, heartache takes center stage. And though there may be nothing unusual about his inspiration, Theissen's means of expression are certainly something special.
"I Don't Need a Soul," morbidly titled to be sure, addresses hospital tragedy with upbeat optimism. In spite of apparent suffering, "you and life remain beautiful," Theissen sings over kicking drums and catchy riffs.
Love lost may be at the forefront of his mind, but Theissen has not forgotten the joys of love found. "Candlelight" and "Savannah" sing the praises of a lover, the latter by ways of acoustic guitar and an irresistible melodic hook. A tight string section and harmonies make the song a likely favorite.
"Therapy" is a formulaic radio-friendly song that seems to fall short of Relient K's signature creativity, both lyrically and musically. It's one of a few songs on the album that wed distorted guitar and crisp piano to fairly unremarkable results. The upbeat ballad "Over It" redeems tired lyrics with piano-driven swells and melodic hooks notably similar to something from The Fray.
But Theissen's sensitivity can only last so long, or so it seems when "Sahara" explodes in the middle of the album with almost uncharacteristic edginess. Grungy guitar and screaming vocals support Theissen's plea, "Don't ever turn me loose." "If You Believe Me" follows along the same vein with its fair share of frantic drumming and vocal passion, but the band's fondness for piano is not to be overlooked.
The album makes its rest with the two-part "This is the End (If You Want It)." First-half punk, second-half piano, the song applies the same lyrics and melody to two vastly different styles. Perhaps the band kept both because they couldn't pick only one, but regardless the effect paints a vivid contrast between heated emotion and resigned reflection.
Many of Relient K's earliest fans, those who used to drive blasting "Pressing On" and made "Getting Into You" their prayer, have long-since lost interest in the Christian pop-punk legends. However, this latest release employs a formula for the mainstream without sacrificing the sense of fun and authenticity that made the group so loved in the first place.
Forget and Not Slow Down is a well-rounded journey through one man's heartache. Yes, there are moments of pain, but when the music starts playing it's all you can do to not tap your toes and smile.
Forget and Not Slow Down is the sixth full-length album for the foursome-turned-threesome-turned-fivesome from Canton, Ohio. Permanent fixtures in the Christian Contemporary Music scene, they've experienced moderate mainstream successes in recent years and an almost complete change of line-up.
What hasn't changed, though, is the sincere but quirky cleverness that has been at the foundation of their success thus far. Gone are the days, however, when frontman Matt Theissen sang about pink tuxes and mood rings. Forget and Not Slow Down very clearly deals with heartache and pain, a project birthed out of Theissen's break up with his fiance.
So how does Relient K deal with such devastation? The same way they always have - by making fun music.
The album opens with the title track, a burst of pounding guitars and inspirational lyrics reminiscent of Jimmy Eat World anthems of old. From the outset, the album's theme is established - when life throws you lemons, just bop your head and sing until you feel better.
Theissen makes no attempts to hide the pain he feels. Instead, heartache takes center stage. And though there may be nothing unusual about his inspiration, Theissen's means of expression are certainly something special.
"I Don't Need a Soul," morbidly titled to be sure, addresses hospital tragedy with upbeat optimism. In spite of apparent suffering, "you and life remain beautiful," Theissen sings over kicking drums and catchy riffs.
Love lost may be at the forefront of his mind, but Theissen has not forgotten the joys of love found. "Candlelight" and "Savannah" sing the praises of a lover, the latter by ways of acoustic guitar and an irresistible melodic hook. A tight string section and harmonies make the song a likely favorite.
"Therapy" is a formulaic radio-friendly song that seems to fall short of Relient K's signature creativity, both lyrically and musically. It's one of a few songs on the album that wed distorted guitar and crisp piano to fairly unremarkable results. The upbeat ballad "Over It" redeems tired lyrics with piano-driven swells and melodic hooks notably similar to something from The Fray.
But Theissen's sensitivity can only last so long, or so it seems when "Sahara" explodes in the middle of the album with almost uncharacteristic edginess. Grungy guitar and screaming vocals support Theissen's plea, "Don't ever turn me loose." "If You Believe Me" follows along the same vein with its fair share of frantic drumming and vocal passion, but the band's fondness for piano is not to be overlooked.
The album makes its rest with the two-part "This is the End (If You Want It)." First-half punk, second-half piano, the song applies the same lyrics and melody to two vastly different styles. Perhaps the band kept both because they couldn't pick only one, but regardless the effect paints a vivid contrast between heated emotion and resigned reflection.
Many of Relient K's earliest fans, those who used to drive blasting "Pressing On" and made "Getting Into You" their prayer, have long-since lost interest in the Christian pop-punk legends. However, this latest release employs a formula for the mainstream without sacrificing the sense of fun and authenticity that made the group so loved in the first place.
Forget and Not Slow Down is a well-rounded journey through one man's heartache. Yes, there are moments of pain, but when the music starts playing it's all you can do to not tap your toes and smile.
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