Relient K’s Collapsible Lung: From End to End

You should know right now that this is not an album review… but more of a reaction to their latest album, Collapsible Lung, and the fall-out it’s causing amongst fans.

Relient K is the band that I forget is one of my favorite bands till I check my Last.Fm account. I’ve been a fan of theirs since middle school. They’ve had a huge influence on me, especially my writing. I grew up with them. They always had a song for whatever I was going through. And I unintentionally quote their lyrics all the time.

After waiting what seemed like an eternity for new songs, rumors of a new album started to spread. I cannot tell you how excited and curious I was especially after Forget and Not Slow Down. The moment any new song leaked or when the entire album leaked, I was all over it. (Don’t worry I pre-ordered it anyways.) 

So for a good month, I had it before a majority of people did. I genuinely enjoyed it. It was a great to jam out to. And I knew there was more to it than just a mere ‘pop album’, that it needed to be listened to a thousand times before the epiphanies would hit, which is standard Relient K.

At this point I completely forgot about the actual release date. I was at work barista-ing when I got a text from a friend of mine (the foundation of our friendship is probably based in our love for Relient K) saying that the fans were not happy with Collapsible Lung.

Now that would be an understatement. If you look at most of the reviews, it’s brutal. But I can sum it up for you guys.

1.     Different sound (aka Relient K sold out to make more cash.)

2.     The lyrics/theme of the songs were too worldly

3.     Therefore, they obviously have lost their spirituality.

And I was enraged. Mostly coming from their Christian fans freaking out over the word ‘sexy’ (Disaster), a whole song about a one night stand (PTL) and some other ‘questionable’ situations.

First off, I need to get this off my chest. I have been that Christian. I’ve been judgmental and self-righteous. This album help reveal that to me. But I don’t want to knock them though. I definitely was more of that type of Christian for another album, which I’ll explain a bit later.

But all I have to say to you guys is which one of you can cast the first stone? Or can see the log in your own eye?

And I kept thinking was that so many of you totally misunderstood the album.

I’ve realized in order to understand Collapsible Lung, we need to discuss their previous one, Forget and Not Slow Down.

I remember when I first listened to FANSD. It would take a while for me to get used to it. It would grow on me over time to eventually become my favorite. Every time I listen to it I get something new. Still. And it’s been out now for at least four years. There is so much raw emotion and depth to the lyrics.

I would learn later on the back-story for FANSD was birthed from dealing with emotional fall out of the failed relationship between Matt Thiessen and his former fiancé.  After hours and days of searching, all I could find out about what happened is that Matt had been unfaithful amongst other hinted unresolved issues based on interview she had when FANSD had first been released.

What I heard was a recording of an interview, and girl-to-girl, she sounded sad and broken and hurt. My heart broke for her. After hearing that I was destroyed. My view of Matt Thiessen and ultimately, Relient K was tarnished. I couldn’t even listen to them. I felt betrayed because I held them to this pedastal because they are Christian. The way many fans feel about Collapsible Lung, I actually felt about Forget and Not Slow Down.

I’m not here to justify or defend anyone's actions. I don’t know and I shouldn’t know what fully happened between Matt or his ex. What I can tell you is that event broke the both of them and that breaks my heart. Not as a fan or as a Christian, but as a fellow human.

I would listen to Relient K again. Like I said, they are one of my favorite bands, the boycott could last only so long, especially FANSD.

Then Collapsible Lung came out and I loved it. At least one song is stuck in my head. It’s catchy and I know Relient K always had an affinity for catchy tunes.

But Collapsible Lung gives Forget and Not Slow Down perspective, or better yet, an epilogue.

Now for all the haters who found the album shallow, the lyrics have a lot of depth that are under the guise of a pop album. Each one is a story, and I’m going to assume that they’re based in a personal experiences.

The attack on their faith and walk with God is uncalled for, self-righteous, and just flat out mean. I think that’s between them, God, and maybe a few close friends. But that’s just me.

Though that was the very reason why I enjoyed Collapsible Lung so much. In the last few years, I’ve done a lot of unexpected “unchristian” things too. With Relient K being so open about their experiences, mistakes, failures, and how ashamed they are of the consequences (It’s been an ongoing theme of theirs for years. A few examples are Trademark, Falling Out, Who I am Hates Who I’ve Been, I So Hate Consequences, Devastation and Reform). I didn’t feel so alone. I wasn’t the only prodigal.

Thanks to Stephen’s Review, it help even shed more light. When you listen to Collapsible Lung straight through, the entire album, each song, is a confession ending with the title song.

Between the miles of open road
I lost sight of what might matter the most
I stumbled into the great unknown and found
That time can’t slow down…

And it’s a slow climb headed back to the sky
And I’m feelin' backwards when I’m trying the most
And I hope haven’t heard the last words from the holy ghost
Cause I think that I’m supposed to be
Well on my way by now…

It closes the book that FANSD started.

I’ve noticed as I live my life, it isn’t so black and white as I thought it would be. Not in what’s right or wrong, but in the choices I made and the consequences they would create. What I thought would be easy choices were not as easy to make. Life is messy and we don’t always do the right thing, even after trying so hard to do the right thing. We lose sight of what matters most quite often. You go through horrible things and experiences, some created by your own words and actions. And when it hits you that you are nowhere near who you wanted to be. You expected by now to be different, to be further ahead.

Matt’s lyrics are probably literal, but I am going to turn it into a very cliché metaphor. Life is an open, unknown road. It’s a journey. There are turns and detours and roadblocks. The journey seems long but it ends way faster than any of us expect. And it’s different for all of us.

I think that was the point of Collapsible Lung. A reason to finally do that pop album, but more importantly, it’s a confession. We all fall short. We all are flawed. Isn’t that the whole point of being a Christian? Admitting we fail and we need a Saviour?

So I think I’ll end this with another Relient K song.

Because the judge of you
Is someone I could never be
Is why you should thank the Lord
That it is Him and it's not me

Don't give up, it's not the end
There's hope for every fallen man
To pick themselves up when they think they can't
Because with every passing second comes a second chance

-Hope For Every Fallen Man 

PS. IF ANY MEMBER OF RELIENT K ACTUALLY READS THIS. I WOULD LOVE TO MEET YOU GUYS SOMETIME. LET'S MAKE THIS HAPPEN :)