Forget and Not Slow Down
Studio album by
Relient K
ReleasedOctober 6, 2009
RecordedMarch–April 2009
StudioDark Horse Recording (Franklin, Tennessee); s-s Studio (Spring Hill, Tennessee).
GenreAlternative rock,[1] rock[2]
Length42:44
LabelMono Vs Stereo, Jive
ProducerMark Lee Townsend, Matthew Thiessen
Relient K chronology
The Bird and the Bee Sides
(2008)		 Forget and Not Slow Down
(2009)		 Is for Karaoke
(2011)
Singles from Forget and Not Slow Down
  1. "Forget and Not Slow Down"
    Released: September 21, 2009[3]
  2. "Part of It"
    Released: October 25, 2010[3]

Forget and Not Slow Down is the sixth studio album by American rock band Relient K, released on October 6, 2009. It is the band's first album to feature Ethan Luck on drums, replacing longtime drummer Dave Douglas. The album is also the first Relient K album with Mono Vs Stereo and their first on Jive Records. The album was produced by Mark Lee Townsend and mixed by Andy Wallace.

Background and recording

In early 2009, Relient K's vocalist Matt Thiessen, secluded from the rest of the world in Winchester, Tennessee, began to write music for three months on an album to be released later in 2009.[4][5] About being isolated Thiessen stated, "It was awesome. You could think about something, and keep thinking about it, and no one would interrupt you for six or seven hours. You could keep your brain on one train of thought. I'll never want to write another record any other way."[6] An influence for the album was the band's lead singer, Matt Thiessen, and his fiancée, Shannon, breaking up in late 2008.

Thiessen stated that they were keen on finishing the album for a 2009 release and had begun recording the new album with their "favorite" producer, Mark Lee Townsend and mixer Andy Wallace[4][7] Guitarist Matt Hoopes stated about Mark Lee Townsend that, "We've got an almost telepathic relationship."[6] On March 23, 2009, the band started recording at Dark Horse Recording Studio in Franklin, Tennessee, which Hoopes states is his "favorite studio".[4][5] The band had used the likes of synthesizers and MIDI before; but Thiessen stated that every instrument on this album "It's organic. I know a lot of bands do that now. But for us, it was really the first time we made it the real thing."[6] On April 30, Thiessen posted that they were "Tracking drums for the last three songs. The new album is almost done!".[8]

On May 5, 2009 the band announced via the Air 1 website that The Almost and Relient K were in the same studio and stated the band members were swapping gear to record both band's albums.[9] With the bands in the studio together, Aaron Gillespie would record vocals for the album which was confirmed with the release of the track listing and the guest vocalists.[10]

Influences

Influences for the record are bands like Counting Crows and Foo Fighters. Matt Thiessen stated in an interview with Pollstar, "We definitely wanted to make a rock record. We wanted it to be uptempo and energetic. As far as the sonic aspect, we wanted to make it less modern sounding, with classic rock textures – Counting Crows, Foo Fighters, those kind of '90s albums. That was a good time for rock 'n' roll."[11] Matt Hoopes has also stated "The songs that tend to be the fan favorites in the past are the ones about making mistakes but ultimately moving past them and this record has a lot of that feeling. No matter what trials you encounter in your life, it doesn't have to be the end of your story. You can move on and be happy and experience joy."[12]

When Matt Thiessen sent a message to AbsolutePunk readers he stated "It's a bit weird because there are some untitled outros and intros throughout the album. Basically, if the track list skips a number, something is up. There are eleven songs, but the whole thing runs about 43 minutes."[13] There is a hidden track before track 1. It is Thiessen's dad singing a line from Sahara.[14]

Promotion and release

In late March 2009, it was announced that the band had completed their contract with Gotee Records and would join the Mono vs Stereo label.[15] On May 8, Thiessen announced on his Twitter account that the new album would be called Forget and Not Slow Down, which will also be the title of a song on the album.[16] The following day, while at Glory at the Gardens at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, they announced that the album should be released around October. In late May and early June, the band went on tour with Owl City, Runner Runner and the Classic Crime.[15] Following this, they went on a short Northeast and Midwestern US tour in June and July 2009.[17] On July 9, Gotee Records announced on Twitter that Forget and Not Slow Down is to be released on October 6, 2009 and provided a flyer via TwitPic.[18] On August 4, the announcement of the album's completion was made via Thiessen's Twitter account which simply stated "Ding! Album's done."[19]

On August 20, the track listing and cover art were released to AbsolutePunk.net, in addition to the information that the first single is the title track, and that it in fact had already been released to some Christian radio stations.[13] When Thiessen released the track listing, he announced that the missing numbers on the track list are interludes. The interlude titles were posted on Gotee Records' pre-release page for the album. The cover art is an oil painting on canvas, by Linden Frederick, Matt Thiessen's uncle.[20][21] On September 17, 2009, "Forget and Not Slow Down" was posted online.[22] "Therapy" was posted online on October1, before it was released to Hot Adult Contemporary radio stations on October 19.[23][24] Four webisodes were released weekly via the band's MySpace and Facebook pages, showing the recording progress in the studio.[25] The album has also been released on vinyl record (pressed at United Record Pressing in Nashville, TN). The vinyl record itself was for sale on their tour with Paramore and fun. and is now offered on their webstore as a bundle package with a carrier bag and wooden case. In November and December 2009, the band went on a US tour with TobyMac.[26] In April and May 2010, the band supported Paramore on their headlining US tour; the trek included an appearance at The Bamboozle festival.[27][28]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AbsolutePunk[2]
AllMusic[1]
BLARE Magazine[29]
Jesus Freak Hideout[30]
Melodic[31]
The Tune[32]

The album debuted at No. 15 on the Billboard 200, No. 1 in Christian Albums, No. 2 in Digital Albums, No. 4 in Alternative Albums and No. 5 in Rock Albums.[33]

In 2010, the album was nominated for a Dove Award for Recorded Music Packaging of the Year at the 41st GMA Dove Awards.[34]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Matt Thiessen, except "Candlelight" composed by Thiessen and Matt Hoopes[10]

No.TitleLength
0.Untitled (pregap hidden track) 
1."Forget and Not Slow Down" (featuring Tim Skipper of House of Heroes)3:22
2."I Don't Need a Soul"3:51
3."Candlelight"3:21
4."Flare (Outro)"1:00
5."Part of It"3:20
6."(Outro)"1:35
7."Therapy" (featuring Brian McSweeney formerly of Seven Day Jesus)3:43
8."Over It"3:54
9."Sahara" (featuring Tim Skipper of House of Heroes, Aaron Gillespie of The Almost and Matt MacDonald of The Classic Crime)3:49
10."Oasis (Intro)"0:41
11."Savannah" (Featuring Tim Skipper of House of Heroes)4:17
12."Baby (Outro)"0:46
13."If You Believe Me" (featuring Matt MacDonald of The Classic Crime)3:20
14."This Is the End"2:17
15."(If You Want It)"3:18
Amazon exclusive
No.TitleLength
16."Terminals" (programming and additional production by Adam Young of Owl City)3:12

Personnel

Relient K

Additional personnel

  • Mark Lee Townsend – electric guitar, mandolin
  • Christi Bissell – baritone saxophone (8), bassoon (8), clarinet (8)
  • Laura Musten – strings (2, 14)
  • Buffy Woessner – strings (2, 14)
  • Chris Carmichael – strings (11, 14)
  • Tim Skipper – backing vocals (1, 9)
  • Brian McSweeney – backing vocals (7)
  • Aaron Gillespie – backing vocals (9)
  • Matt MacDonald – backing vocals (9, 13)
  • Arnold Thiessen – backing vocals (9, 11)
  • Jonathan Thiessen – backing vocals (11)

Production

  • Matt Hoopes – executive producer
  • Matt Thiessen – executive producer, producer, art direction
  • Kevin Spellman – executive producer, management
  • Mark Lee Townsend – producer, engineer
  • Dave Hagen – assistant engineer, editing
  • Andy Wallace – mixing at Soundtrack Studios (New York City, New York)
  • Paul Suarez – mix assistant
  • Sara Marienthal – A&R coordinator
  • Mike Condo – production coordinator
  • David Baysinger – art direction, design, layout
  • Linden Frederick – art direction
  • Cale Glendening – photography
  • Ethan Luck – photography
  • Ron Baysinger – hand writing

References

  1. 1 2 James Christopher Monger. "Forget and Not Slow Down > Overview". AllMusic. Retrieved October 8, 2009.
  2. 1 2 Blake Solomon. "Relient K – Forget and Not Slow Down". AbsolutePunk. Retrieved October 8, 2009.
  3. 1 2 "Relient K : Forget and not slow down - écoute gratuite et téléchargement". Musicme.com. September 21, 2009. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 Matthew Thiessen's Pack Of Wild Blogs (January 17, 2009). "Matthew Thiessen's Pack Of Wild Blogs: Zweitausend Nein!". Matthewthiessen.blogspot.com. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  5. 1 2 "Relient K launch new album, new label | Tune in Music City". The Tennessean. September 1, 2009. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  6. 1 2 3 "Forget and not slow down « originate, don't duplicate..." craigmcc90.wordpress.com. Archived from the original on April 9, 2010.
  7. ↑ "Relient K Go Jive For New Album - Relient K News @". Antimusic.com. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  8. ↑ "Relient K 'almost done' recording new album". Alternative Press. April 30, 2009. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  9. ↑ "The Almost & Relient K swapped what?". Air1.com. May 15, 2009. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  10. 1 2 "Bands on Fire – Relient K – "Forget And Not Slow Down"". Archived from the original on September 7, 2009. Retrieved September 4, 2009.
  11. ↑ "Relient K Tour Dates Aren't Slowing Down". Pollstar. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  12. ↑ "Relient K Not Looking To Slow Down With New Album (August 31, 2009) : News". PlugInMusic.com. August 31, 2009. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  13. 1 2 "First Look: Relient K Tracklist/Artwork - News Article". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  14. ↑ Interviews (September 30, 2009). "Relient K | Interviews". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  15. 1 2 "Relient K announce new label, tour dates". Alternative Press. March 25, 2009. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  16. ↑ "Twitter / Matthew Thiessen: New album title... Forget". Twitter. May 7, 2009. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  17. ↑ Paul, Aubin (May 15, 2009). "Relient K". Punknews.org. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  18. ↑ "Twitter / Gotee Records: Forget And Not Slow Down". Twitter. July 9, 2009. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  19. ↑ "Twitter / Matthew Thiessen: Ding! Album's done". Twitter. August 4, 2009. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  20. ↑ "Home". lindenfrederick.com.
  21. ↑ "Relient K Album Cover - Page 5 - News Article - AbsolutePunk.net". Images.absolutepunk.net. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  22. ↑ Paul, Aubin (September 17, 2009). "Relient K: 'Forget and Not Slow Down'". Punknews.org. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
  23. ↑ "Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!". FMQB. Archived from the original on February 4, 2012. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  24. ↑ Paul, Aubin (October 1, 2009). "Relient K: 'Therapy'". Punknews.org. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  25. ↑ "Relient K". Facebook. June 26, 2010. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  26. ↑ Paul, Aubin (November 16, 2009). "Relient K / Toby Mac". Punknews.org. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  27. ↑ Paul, Aubin (January 26, 2010). "Bamboozle adds Minus the Bear, Motion City Soundtrack, Relient K". Punknews.org. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  28. ↑ Yancey, Bryne (February 2, 2010). "Paramore / Relient K / fun". Punknews.org. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  29. ↑ Joshua Khan. "Forget and Not Slow Down >". BLARE. Retrieved October 12, 2009.
  30. ↑ Adam Dawson. "Relient K, "Forget and Not Slow Down"". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved October 8, 2009.
  31. ↑ Kat, Cor Jan (October 24, 2009). "Relient K - Forget and Not Slow Down". Melodic (magazine). Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  32. ↑ The Tune review
  33. ↑ "Music Charts, Most Popular Music, Music by Genre & Top Music Charts". Billboard. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  34. ↑ 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards nominees announced on The Tennessean (February 18, 2010)
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