Lets be honest being labeled as Christian rock is like being labeled as Nu Metal in the 90's. All the good Christian rock bands want out of that label. Yes their are good Christian rock bands: Switchfoot, Chevelle, Anberlin, Five Iron Frenzy, Mute Math, and Relient K, and all the other bands that are OK with that label are just terrible bands; Creed, Newsboys, Tonic, P.O.D., and Lifehouse. Don't get my wrong I have no problem with the idea of a Cristian Rock band, I am both a Christian and a huge fan of rock. However the two things just don't combine all that well. Sure I like hot sauce and I like milk, but I sure don't want them together. Relient K are one of the few Christian rock bands that have stayed around and continued to make good music. Over the past few years thought they have sort of dissipated from the scene. The new album was an attempt to branch out and grab new fans and gain more relevance in the music world, while not sacrificing music quality. Lets find out if it worked.
Relient K- Be My Escape
Relient K have always been masters of walking the thin line between pop and pop punk. They keep things interesting with edgy guitar power chords, unbridled energy, and clever lyrics with references to god. They are truly great at making interesting lyrics that make you want scream and shout and let your inner partyer out, but not much, remember these are still good christian boys. However things have changed on this album, call it an identity crisis, loss of faith, selling out, or anything you want something is just off here. An album full of sub-par dance pop tracks that make use of synthesizers rather than guitar, what? Not Relient K, yep sorry guys. This album was co written by some of the same people who write for Lady Gaga, Cee Lo Green, and Maroon 5. So gone are the clever witty lyrics full of life and humor. Gone is the pop punk feel, and gone is almost every mention of god. Another artist that fell out of the spotlight and wanted to be noticed again by any means necessary. Even if that means making one of the most generic pop albums that I have had the displeasure of listening too.
Relient K- Don't Blink
The album opens with "Don't Blink", which is by far the album's strongest song. This album isn't all bad, just mostly. It brings the usual catchy and huge sing song chorus we are used too with Relient K, and is one of the only tracks that makes full use of rock guitar. "Boomerang", is definitely more dance floor oriented but is one of the more tolerable songs, mostly because it again makes use of a large and catchy hook of a chorus. However the songs content involves the good boy christian kids hanging and chilling getting drunk at the bars trying to pick up women. As soon as the song "Lost Boy" opened I knew I was going to hate it. I was right, it is a giant generic pop song with no heart, soul, or interesting things to say. "If I Could Take You Home" pulls out the synthesizers and takes us back to the dance floor, except this time its an awful song about wanting to have sex with bar girls. "Can't Complain" has a ukulele opening and a Jason Mraz feel to it. I actually don't hate this song. It's very island sounding and if your in that kind of mood, it's not awful. "Gloria" is a terrible song that could have been a James Blunt song.
My Video Review of Relient K- Collapsible Lung
"PTL" is a falsetto heavy song about a one night stand, it's bad that's it. "Disaster" is a little bit better filler song that makes use of a piano and horns that almost save it , almost. "When You Were My Baby" is the absolute worst song on here, the worst kind of ballad/love song. "Sweeter" slows things way down with a piano but it doesn't improve them any. "Collapsible Lung" is the last good song on here, sounds a lot more like your typical Relient K song. It starts slow and builds to a big chorus and even mentions the holy ghost. Then we have the closer, "That's My Jam" as if this album wasn't already obnoxiously poppy enough, they ask Owl City for help and make things go from bad to much much worse. It's a seriously awful dance pop crap song. The lyrics are clever in the worst kind of way. We get it your from the 90's stop naming bands and references.
Relient K- That's My Jam
This a band that has truly lost it's way, and is just phoning in what even they have to know is pop crap. The sad part is this album will probably sell very well, stupid Owl City, and crappy music taste these days. Don't I just sound like a hipster right now anyways. It makes me sad because I was one of the few that defended Christian rock on the occasion because of bands like Relient K, and this is what they give me. Please get over this identity crisis/radio airplay cash in soon and make fun pop punk songs again. Until then I will just pretend like this album never happened.
Recommended songs: Don't Blink, Boomerang, and Collapsible Lung.
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