BULLDOG MUSIC REVIEWS

RELIENT K-FORGET AND NOT SLOW DOWN



1. Forget and Not Slow Down*

2. I Don't Need a Soul*

3. Candlelight*

4. Flare

5. Part of it

6. Outro

7. Therapy* (Featuring, Brian McSweeney guitarist and songwriter, and a member of the Chicago-based band Matthew. He is also the former leader of the Christian rock group Seven Day Jesus, and Ethan Luck the drummer of Relient K).

8. Over it*

9. Sahara* (Featuring, Matt MacDonald lead singer for The Classic Crime, Tim Skipper lead singer for House of Heroes, Aaron Gillespie lead singer for The Almost, as well as drummer and vocalist for UnderOath, and Arnold Thiessen...Matts brother).

10. Oasis

11. Savannah* (Featuring Arnold Thiessen, Jonathan Thiessen, and Matthew Hoopes)

12. Baby

13. If You Believe Me* (Featuring, Matt MacDonald lead singer for The Classic Crime)

14. This is the End

15. (If You Want it)

Now i realize that i tend to go forever on these posts, so to make it reader friendly i will try my best to keep em short and sweet!

Well the boys are back at it! I have been very excited for one of my all time favorite bands, Relient K, to show us their music genius again! Relient K has been making music since 1998, putting out 6 full albums, selling over 2 million records and having 3 of there albums certified as "Gold" meaning that 3 of their albums have sold over 500,000 copies. They have been on "Gotee Records" (ran by Toby Mac) for most of their career, then moved to the major record label "Capitol Records" and finally with their latest release on Gotee's sub label "Mono Vs. Stereo." The cool thing about these guys being on Mono vs. Stereo is that they are now running the label alongside Toby Mac. Relient K now has the freedom to run the label and sign bands as well as release their cds under the label! this is very exciting to see what these guys are able to do as they continue to spread their musical talents!

So as these guys grow as a band they get more recognition and in a way start to network with other talents around North America. This is exciting because they now feature talents like Tim Skipper (also sang on John Reuben's "All in All" on the record "The Professional Rapper," as well as "So Glad" on "The Boy vs. The Cynic"), Matt MacDonald, and Aaron Gillespie on their album. Along with that Matt Thiessen has started helping other bands. not only playing on their songs but helping them write their stuff! From Christian bands (Switchfoot) to non-christian bands (Owl City and Kelly Clarkson) Matt has been able to share his never ending well of talent.

When it comes to "Forget and not Slow Down" i found the sound to be very much Relient K but at the same time their sound changed. the album features a lot less synth and a lot more "organic sound" (gotta love the sax at the end of "Over It"). I also love the vocals that Tim, Matt, and Aaron give on "Sahara." They keep to the very catchy lyrics that everyone loves and mix in some amazing lyrics that make you think and that are so greatly woven and witty that it can be hard to understand exactly what Matt T means haha. It is obvious that every album RK puts out Matt gets better at writing especially if you compare this album to their self titled album where they sang about Manson eating their girlfriend! ha!

Overall this album is well worth the money, obviously i am biased and i only review albums i really like (however i would be open to review any album you want if you make a request) but this is a great addition to anyone's collection. I challenge you to listen to it and read the lyrics while your at it, its a great experience when you have Matt constructing the music! My only criticism is that the lyrics may be too witty, im not sure what "candlelight" is really saying, or what the story behind "i dont need a soul" is but maybe im just missing something! anyway hope you made it through the review! keep listening and lets hope Switchfoot can bring us just as good if not better album!

10/10

-bent ;)

ps COME TO YQ!!!!!!!