Collapsible Lung
Studio album by
Relient K
ReleasedJuly 2, 2013
GenreAlternative rock, pop rock
Length35:37
LabelMono Vs Stereo
ProducerPaul Moak, Aaron Sprinkle
Relient K chronology
Is for Karaoke
(2011)		 Collapsible Lung
(2013)		 Air for Free
(2016)

Collapsible Lung is the seventh studio album by American rock band Relient K. To date, it is their only album not to be produced or co-produced by Mark Lee Townsend.

Background and production

In May 2012, the group posted that they were working on new material.[1] Later that month, the group posted a studio video update,[2] followed by another in early June.[3] In July and August, the group went on a tour of the US with Hellogoodbye, William Beckett and House of Heroes.[4] While on the tour, the group played a new track, entitled "Boomerang".[5]

Matthew Thiessen described the album as being different from their other material, stating, "We made it a point to pull back all of our usual tricks in the recording process, and forced ourselves to determine how to present each song in the best and most concise way. It was a refreshing process, and we feel that much of that energy is transparent in the recording. We are incredibly proud of this record."[6] He also stated that the album is more of a pop album because he felt that it needed to be written. He went on to say, "That being said, our next album will definitely be a rock record. Maybe even punk rock, who knows?"[7]

Release

On April 13, 2013, the group announced that bassist John Warne, guitarist Jon Schneck, drummer Ethan Luck would not be participating in their upcoming tour.[8] On April 21, Luck announced his departure from the group.[9] In April and May, the group went on a tour of the US with Hellogoodbye, William Beckett and Mike Mains & The Branches.[10] Dan Gartley and Tom Breyfogle filled in on bass and drums, respectively. On April 28, Cross Rhythms reported that the group's new album would be titled Collapsible Lung and that its release was expected in July.[11] On May 17, Relient K posted the album art, saying that the album would officially be released on July 2, 2013.[12] On May 29, a lyric video was released for "Lost Boy".[13] On June 19, "PTL" was premiered through Alternative Press's website.[6] On June 26, the title track was made available for streaming via AbsolutePunk.[14]

Collapsible Lung was released on July 2 through independent label Mono vs Stereo.[13] On the same day, a lyric video was released for the title-track.[15] In July, the group embarked on a US tour with the Almost and the Rocketboys, which included three dates at Warped Tour.[16] The name of the album comes from the title track "Collapsible Lung", which is the last song on the record. The band played various songs from the album live, prior to its release, such as "When You Were My Baby", "Boomerang", "PTL", and "Sweeter". The band also mentioned the song called "Lost Boy" while they were in the studio in late 2012, not yet known to its future listeners. "Don't Blink" was released with a lyric video on YouTube.[17] In November, the group went on a co-headlining US tour with Motion City Soundtrack. They were supported by Driver Friendly.[18]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Alternative Press[19]
CCM Magazine[20]
Christian Music Zine[21]
CM Addict[22]
Consequence of Sound[23]
HM[24]
Jesus Freak Hideout[25]
[26]
Louder Than the Music[27]
New Release Tuesday[28]
USA Today[29]

Collapsible Lung garnered mixed reception from music critics. At Louder Than the Music, Jono Davies called it an album "of such great quality" that, he wrote, "has a fresh feel to it with a modern rock sound". He went on to say that "the band have moved away from just writing energetic pop/punk songs, and instead have written an album that is creative, solid and mature, but at the same time not losing their great songwriting skills."[27] At Christian Music Zine, Tyler Hess found the release to be "just an insanely fun pop album that will be one of my favorites of the year."[21] At CCM Magazine, Andy Argyrakis wrote that the band "shakes up its pop/punk formula, while retaining its witty songwriting and welcome stream of sunny harmonies". He called the "resulting" album "a delectable batch of experimental modern pop that may surprise longtime listeners, but will surely have them joining the veterans for the positivity-laden party."[20]

At USA Today, Brian Mansfield said "there's a newfound sadness, too, one that sometimes resembles wisdom."[29] Jesus Freak Hideout's Roger Gelwicks commented that "at the very least, Collapsible Lung is a daring collection and will retain a sundry of reputations", and stated that the album is a welcome "experiment that keeps the band's fans on their toes, doing more right than wrong in the process."[25] In addition, Cortney Warner of Jesus Freak Hideout wrote that "Collapsible Lung continues to solidify the confusion" because it is "almost too inconsistent, and at times it can feel more like a B-side album rather than a collective LP."[26] Sarah Fine of New Release Tuesday called the album "a noticeable departure" because it lacked in moral wisdom that was a hallmark of their past works.[28]

At Alternative Press, Scott Heisel felt that "now we're left with Collapsible Lung, the dreadfully plastic yang to Forget's emotional, powerful yin."[19] Randall Colburn of Consequence of Sound wrote that the album is "frontloaded with generic dance-pop tracks", and evoked that the release is "weighted down by a parade of faceless women, many of whom are reduced to mere sexual objects, resulting in a record that reeks of adolescent rebellion at best and pandering at worst."[23] CM Addict's Kevin Thorson said that the album's "inconsistencies and poor lyrics are things you would expect from possibly a debut artist not from seasoned veterans", and because of this wrote that "Relient K can do much better."[22] At HM, Dan Macintosh commented that the album "makes it difficult to be entirely on Thiessen’s side", and that "it's also two giant steps back in the credibility column."[24]

Track listing

Standard edition[30]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Don't Blink"Matthew Thiessen, Matthew Hoopes3:02
2."Boomerang"Thiessen, Evan Bogart, Ari Levine2:47
3."Lost Boy"Thiessen, Derek A.E. Fuhrmann, Matt Musto, Gregg Wattenberg3:10
4."If I Could Take You Home"Thiessen, Hoopes, Fernando Garibay3:32
5."Can't Complain"Thiessen, Brian Lee, Emily Wright3:14
6."Gloria"Thiessen, Hoopes, Levine, Tim Pagnotta2:58
7."PTL"Thiessen, Musto, Caleb Owens3:24
8."Disaster"Thiessen2:58
9."When You Were My Baby"Thiessen, Hoopes, Owens2:44
10."Sweeter" (featuring Caleb Owens)Thiessen, Owens4:27
11."Collapsible Lung"Thiessen, Hoopes3:21
Total length:35:37
iTunes bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
12."That's My Jam" (featuring Owl City)Thiessen, Hoopes, Lee, Sam Hollander2:43
Total length:38:20

Personnel

Relient K

Additional personnel

  • Lane Johnson – additional programming (1, 4)
  • Sadler J. Vaden – electric guitar (5)
  • Caleb Owens – additional guitars (9), additional vocals (9)
  • Adam Gardner – bass (5)
  • Jon Radford – drums (5)
  • Tim Skipper – backing vocals (2)

Production

  • Paul Moak – producer and engineer (1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10)
  • Aaron Sprinkle – producer and engineer (3, 5, 7, 11)
  • Justin March – assistant engineer
  • Devin Vaughan – assistant engineer
  • Dewey Boyd – assistant
  • Tom Breyfogle – pre-production assistance
  • Nathan Thomas – pre-production assistance
  • J.R. McNeely – mixing
  • Brad Blackwood – mastering
  • Lani Crump – production coordination
  • Dave Steunebrink – production coordination
  • Ryan Besch – design, illustration

Chart performance

Chart (2013) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[31] 16
US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard)[32] 3
US Christian Albums (Billboard)[33] 2
US Digital Albums (Billboard)[34] 8
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[35] 4

References

  1. ↑ Yancey, Bryne (May 1, 2012). "Relient K writing new music". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. Archived from the original on June 22, 2012. Retrieved December 24, 2017.
  2. ↑ Yancey, Bryne (May 8, 2012). "Relient K post studio video". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. Archived from the original on August 3, 2012. Retrieved December 24, 2017.
  3. ↑ Bird, Michele (June 14, 2012). "Relient K post second studio video". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved December 24, 2017.
  4. ↑ Common, Tyler (May 23, 2012). "Relient K announce tour with Hellogoodbye, William Beckett, House Of Heroes". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. Archived from the original on April 4, 2013. Retrieved December 24, 2017.
  5. ↑ Common, Tyler (July 23, 2012). "Relient K perform new song, "Boomerang"". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. Archived from the original on June 24, 2013. Retrieved December 24, 2017.
  6. 1 2 Whitt, Cassie (June 19, 2013). "Song Premiere: Relient K, "Part-Time Lover"". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. Archived from the original on December 3, 2014. Retrieved January 14, 2015. We made it a point to pull back all of our usual tricks in the recording process, and forced ourselves to determine how to present each song in the best and most concise way. It was a refreshing process, and we feel that much of that energy is transparent in the recording. We are incredibly proud of this record.
  7. ↑ "Easterfest 2013 Interview with Relient K". YouTube. April 13, 2013. Archived from the original on July 12, 2013. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
  8. ↑ Kraus, Brian (April 13, 2013). "Relient K to tour without three members on upcoming tour". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. Archived from the original on March 25, 2016. Retrieved December 24, 2017.
  9. ↑ Kraus, Brian (April 21, 2013). "Relient K drummer Ethan Luck leaves the band". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. Archived from the original on March 25, 2016. Retrieved December 24, 2017.
  10. ↑ Common, Tyler (March 11, 2013). "Relient K announce spring tour with Hellogoodbye, William Beckett and Mike Mains & The Branches". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. Archived from the original on June 24, 2013. Retrieved December 24, 2017.
  11. ↑ "Collapsible Lung: Relient K's 'Collapsible Lung' to be released in July". Crossrhythms.co.uk. April 28, 2013. Archived from the original on June 17, 2013. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
  12. ↑ "Tijdlijnfoto's". Facebook. Archived from the original on January 11, 2016. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
  13. 1 2 Whitt, Cassie (May 29, 2013). "UPDATE: New Relient K album out July 2; stream new song, "Lost Boy"". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. Archived from the original on March 18, 2016. Retrieved December 24, 2017.
  14. ↑ Obenschain, Philip (June 26, 2013). "Relient K stream title track from 'Collapsible Lung'". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. Archived from the original on December 24, 2017. Retrieved December 24, 2017.
  15. ↑ Obenschain, Philip (July 2, 2013). "Relient K release lyric video for "Collapsible Lung;" new album out today". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. Archived from the original on March 25, 2015. Retrieved December 24, 2017.
  16. ↑ Common, Tyler (May 14, 2013). "Relient K announce summer tour with the Almost, the Rocketboys". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. Archived from the original on June 23, 2013. Retrieved December 24, 2017.
  17. ↑ "Don't Blink (lyric video)". YouTube. Archived from the original on July 6, 2013. Retrieved April 23, 2013.
  18. ↑ Obenschain, Philip (August 19, 2013). "Motion City Soundtrack, Relient K announce fall co-headlining tour". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. Archived from the original on March 24, 2015. Retrieved December 24, 2017.
  19. 1 2 Heisel, Scott (June 24, 2013). "Relient K - Collapsible Lung". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on June 30, 2013. Retrieved July 2, 2013.
  20. 1 2 Argyrakis, Andy (August 1, 2013). "Relient K: Collapsible Lung (Mono Vs. Stereo)". CCM Magazine. p. 66. Archived from the original on October 9, 2014. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
  21. 1 2 Hess, Tyler (July 1, 2013). "Relient K – Collapsible Lung (Review)". Christian Music Zine. Archived from the original on July 4, 2013. Retrieved July 5, 2013.
  22. 1 2 Thorson, Kevin (July 1, 2013). "Review of Collapsible Lung by Relient K". CM Addict. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved July 5, 2013.
  23. 1 2 Colburn, Randall (July 2, 2013). "Album Review: Relient K – Collapsible Lung". Consequence of Sound. Archived from the original on August 6, 2013. Retrieved July 2, 2013.
  24. 1 2 Macintosh, Dan (July 2, 2013). "Relient K – Collapsible Lung". HM. ISSN 1066-6923. Archived from the original on July 15, 2013. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
  25. 1 2 Gelwicks, Roger (June 30, 2013). "Relient K, "Collapsible Lung" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Archived from the original on July 4, 2013. Retrieved July 2, 2013.
  26. 1 2 Warner, Cortney (July 1, 2013). "Relient K, "Collapsible Lung" Review: Second Staff Opinion". Jesus Freak Hideout. Archived from the original on July 4, 2013. Retrieved July 2, 2013.
  27. 1 2 Davies, Jono (July 17, 2013). "Reviews – Relient K – Collapsible Lung". Louder Than the Music. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2013.
  28. 1 2 Fine, Sarah (June 14, 2013). "A New Direction Musically and Thematically". New Release Tuesday. Archived from the original on July 15, 2013. Retrieved July 2, 2013.
  29. 1 2 Mansfield, Brian (July 1, 2013). "Listen Up: Pretty Lights, Joe, Relient K". USA Today. Archived from the original on July 5, 2013. Retrieved July 2, 2013.
  30. ↑ "Collapsible Lung by Relient K | CD Reviews And Information". NewReleaseTuesday.com. Archived from the original on July 13, 2013. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
  31. ↑ "Relient K Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
  32. ↑ "Relient K Chart History (Top Alternative Albums)". Billboard.
  33. ↑ "Relient K Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard.
  34. ↑ "Relient K Chart History (Digital Albums)". Billboard.
  35. ↑ "Relient K Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard.
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