While a lot of Christian bands fall into a trap of sugary triteness, one of the genre’s most influential pop/ punk bands, Relient K, has skillfully avoided this trap with their new album Forget and Not Slow Down.
Relient K’s sixth studio album will arrive in stores Oct. 6, bringing with it 11 new tracks of outstanding alternative rock that exceeded my expectations.
Relient K was formed with lead singer Matt Theissen and guitarist Matt Hoopes in 1997. The next 12 years proved to be successful with five studio albums, a Christmas album, five EPs and an extensive set of tours.
Over the years the band’s line up has changed frequently, however both Hoopes and Theissen have remained with the band since the beginning. The current line up is complete with John Warne, Jon Schneck and Ethan Luck playing bass guitar, guitar and drums respectively.
Forget and Not Slow Down is the first Relient K album that I have truly listened to from start to finish. After listening, I was very impressed and even a little surprised. Having limited experience with the group in the past, I would by no means consider myself a fan. However, after listening to Forget and Not Slow Down it is possible that I will reconsider.
The album grabs hold of the listener and refuses to let go until the very end. Each song successfully flows into the next.
While the sound of the record is distinctly Relient K, and much has not changed as far as musical aspects go, it is still refreshing to hear new material from an elemental piece of the Christian punk/rock movement.
The title track “Forget and not Slow Down” is one of my favorite songs on the album. This song reaches an excellent balance between both electronic and acoustic instrumentation.
In addition to the great instrumentation, the lyrics portray a good message concerning forgetting the unfortunate things that have occurred in our past, learning from our mistakes, and moving on without looking back: “I’d rather forget and not slow down/ than gather regret for the things I can’t change now/”, Theissen says.
Despite my overall reaction, I found some songs more enjoyable than others, purely based on my own personal musical taste.
This includes a track called “Savannah”. It is not that I dislike the song, but many other selections overshadowed it, such as the gritty electric guitar-fueled “Sahara” or the slower piano and synth-driven “Over It.”
Despite a few lackluster pieces, Relient K has yet another hit album on their hands with Forget and Not Slow Down.
Andrew Evans • Nov 24, 2010 at 12:01 am
Cool picture. I can’t wait to see all those stands full of fans! This year home games are gonna be awesome!