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