Collapsible Lung Unboxing (MSSS Series, Part 2)

Read the Air For Free unboxing post by clicking HERE.

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Hello my favorites!

Today we're looking at Collapsible Lung! One of my all time favorites, it's the first Relient K album I listened to. The vinyl itself is packaged in a cardboard jacket along with the easily recognisable lung artwork on the front.

Since before getting this record, I only had the album digitally, so I didn't know what the back looked like. It's very interesting and shows three brown dots with different pictures inside them. The one on the left shows an internal part of the lung, the center one shows a map, and the one on the right depicts a house. I don't know if these pictures have any meaning but they look pretty cool nonetheless! 

The vinyl itself is a cherry red, which I really love! It goes well with the beige and black artwork. The only thing that made me sad was the lack of an insert. Inserts are probably my second favorite part of records themselves, the first being the actual vinyl.

The track listing is the same as the CD, and is as follows:

SIDE A:

Don't Blink

Boomerang

Lost Boy

If I Could Take You Home

Can't Complain

Gloria

SIDE B:

PTL

Disaster 

When You Were My Baby

Sweeter

Collapsible Lung 

I know this wasn't really a well received album, but it does have its gems (Don't Blink, Can't Complain, and Collapsible Lung specifically). In the end I just hope you enjoyed reading this little post! I wish you all the best.

Don't Blink, 

Sahara 

PS: Saw a sneaky tweet from SMLXL Vinyl saying the gold MMHMM vinyls are back in stock! Go grab one now if you don't have one @ smlxlvinyl.com

Looking For America: PART 2!

Hey guys! So, the second leg of the tour starts TODAY in Fresno, California!

I'll be keeping you updated on Twitter, and hey, don't forget! If you want to see your pictures in the tour photo gallery, send them, along with the city and state the show was in, and your name to thefreshestblogintheworld@gmail.com!

Don't blink,
Sahara

PS: I will be sending out the FIRST Lyric Club email on February 1st! Keep an eye out for it if you signed up!

Artist Spotlight: Phangs

Hey guys! Today I want to do something a little different than what I normally do. Today, I want to talk about one of my new musical faves, Phangs. 

                                    

Phangs is a fresh and super dreamy pop project created by Jake Germany. As Phangs, he released his first song called Cul De Sac in August of 2016, and just last week he released two new tracks, originally supposed to be from his self-titled EP, PHANGS.

His website's about page describes Phangs as dream pop "blanketed in layers of synthesizers" and "steady pulsing percussion". The Phangs sound makes me want to put on a warm sweatshirt and go for a walk in a park; it has a homey feeling, which makes it even easier to connect to the music.

The stripped version of Cul De Sac took me by surprise. To be honest, I don't know what I was expecting, but this just blew me away. The stripped back instrumental allows the falsetto vocals to be the star, making the song sound even more light and cozy.

One & Lonely -- while being equally cozy -- makes me think of bubblegum and cotton candy, even if the song is about an unraveling relationship. My favorite part probably being the chorus when Germany sings "Don't go, don't leave me here."

In closing, I want to say how incredibly excited I am to hear more Phangs music, especially Always Been U (feat. R.LUM.R). Jake Germany is an extremely talented person and I'm so proud to support him and his music. I wish him all the best and I'll definitely be there to snag a copy of his first album, whenever it drops.

Don't blink,
Sahara

Watch the music video for Cul De Sac (Stripped):

2016 RECAP: New Music and Touring and Videos... Oh My!

made by Imogen from The Owl City Fan Club Blog 

Welcome back! And if this is your first time here, welcome to the blog! If you want to learn a little more about me and why I started this blog before you read this post, click HERE.

So, how about we "kick-off" the new year with a recap of what went down in 2016? Sound good? Let's go!

There was some buzz at the start of the year after the release of the new album's title. During a show in December, the guys revealed the name of the record would be Air For Free.

On Valentine's Day, a digital single called Look On Up was finally released after being played at various shows. Unfortunately, it did not make the album.

April 13th, the lead single from Air For Free, titled Bummin' (one of my favorite tracks), was released.

Originally rumoured to be released in May, Air For Free was released on July 22nd as digital download and vinyl, and later on August 20th, released as a CD. It debuted at No. 44 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 on the Top Christian Albums, and sold around 9000 copies in its first week.

There are 16 tracks, and according to the Air For Free Wikipedia page, a pregap piano version of Marigold (CD release only). I have yet to get the CD, but once I do, I'll be sure to let you know if I find it.

https://twitter.com/relientK/status/754518202374250496

The following day, the band played an album release concert in Akron, Ohio with Cardboard Kids as show openers (CK is a really great band and I highly recommend them, check 'em out).

The guys played a total of 12 songs from the newly released album, including Mountaintop, which was made into a music video.

Matt Hoopes starring as "The Navigator" and Matt Thiessen starring as "The Climber". Released September 1st. https://youtu.be/sSi0HplL05A

Written by Rob Fee and directed by Ryan Hamblin, the video follows Hoopes the Navigator and Thiessen the Climber as they, well, climb to the top of a mountain! They (as themselves) watch the video back, take notes and, at some points, look really confused and bored. There's also a campfire involved. Not sure if they were roasting hot dogs or marshmallows, though. But, in my opinion the video really embodies adventure in a fun and playful way (note the lions, tigers, bears, and bats), while the running theme of budget cuts is still going strong after its appearance in the Pressing On music video almost 16 years ago. One of my favorite parts is the ending where we see Matt Hoopes write a note for help and attach it to a little plastic bird. The nature shots were breathtaking, and a big round of applause to Jacob Smithson who edited all together so beautifully.

While we're on the topic of fun and adventure, let's wrap up this post with talk about one of the most adventurous things that's happened this year: The Looking For America tour!

It was announced in May via Relient K and Switchfoot's social media accounts, and a video on Switchfoot's YouTube channel that the two groups would be touring across North America, each promoting their new albums, Air For Free and Where The Light Shines Through.

The tour started September 17th and ran through November 26th, allowing the bands to stop in a total of 50 cities. I was able to snag some tickets and VIP passes to the October 22nd show (which also happened to be Jon Foreman's birthday), and let me tell you, it was amazing.

Almost a week later, on October 28th, the guys dropped a three song Halloween EP entitled The Creepier EP...er.

"The Creepier EP...er" Released October 28th, 2016, Mono VS Stereo 

It features two new songs called The Halloween Blues and The Cup, as well as one formerly unreleased track called Halloween in Owatonna. (Check out the original performance here).

Then on November 21st, it was announced there would be a part two to the Looking For America tour, now called the Still Looking For America 2our, starting January 21th, 2017 and going through February 18th, 2017. Another video was released on Switchfoot's YouTube channel with more details and a list of dates.

So, there we have it! Started with a new single and ended with a full on two part North American tour. I hope some of you got to go too! Last year's had its ups and downs, but overall it's a year that I hope I never forget.

Don't blink,
Sahara

UPDATE: Thanks to Chris from the comments, the Marigold intro pregap track is on YouTube! Check it here: https://youtu.be/Xpzoj-LNTcY

Vinyl Unboxing: Air For Free (MSSS Series, Part 1)

Now that all the little added extras to the blog are finally up and don't need my full attention, I can dedicate my time to writing more about the guys, their music, and their merch. Today's post is all about Air For Free on vinyl, and it's the start of a little four part series I'm going to call the "Merch Store Shopping Spree" series.

This is something I've wanted to write about for a long time, and now that I have a record player I can finally do it!

I ordered this vinyl along with some other goodies on December 26th and received my package on December 30. I don't think I've ever been so inpatient in my life.

The 2LP 180 gram white vinyl come packaged in a gatefold jacket along with an insert that features photos of the guys and the Air For Free primary color dots, and a digital download card.

Front and Back

Inside

180 gram 2LP vinyl

Inside Notes

Front and Back of the Insert

The track listing is different than the CD, and is as follows:

Side A:
Local Construction
Bummin'
Marigold
Runnin'

Side B:
Mrs. Hippopotamuses
Cat
Elephant Parade
Man

Side C:
Air For Free
God
Prodigal
Empty House

Side D:
Mountaintop
Sleepin'
Flower
Heartache

Matt Hoopes said a lot of time was spent sequencing the vinyl album. Songs on each side are specifically grouped to give the album a nice flow and allow for quick listening sessions. Personally, this is one of my favorite features of the album. It almost reminds me of how Forget and Not Slow Down goes from one track to another with connecting intros/outros. It all just clicks and works.

As for the tracks that really stood out upon the initial listening, all I really want to talk about Empty House.

Empty House was one of the tracks that really hit me. Hearing any song or album on vinyl is an experience in an of itself, but with a song like Empty House? For me it was like no other. I've heard the song numerous times, and it's one of my favorites, but the first time hearing it on vinyl reduced me to tears. The simple piano track paired with the autotuned vocals just convey this feeling that's like no other. It's a truly moving song, even though I still don't have a clue as to what's sung in half of the first verse.

In the end I just want to say this is an amazing album. Each song is of the highest quality and they all sound spectacular on vinyl. If you haven't listened to it yet, please do! And for those of you who haven't bought the vinyl but want to hear it in the same sequencing as the vinyl, check out Relient K's Spotify playlist here.

Hope you guys have a great New Year's. See you then!

Don't blink,
Sahara

PS: I'm uploading the entries to the Creative Corner tab tomorrow, don't forget to check it out and submit your own edits/art!

New Theme, New Tabs, New Twibbons

Hey guys! Not much is happening right now as far as RK news, but I've finally finished tweaking and updating the blog and it's just how I want it to look. Firstly, I'd like to bring attention to the "local construction". I've made a new theme, along with some snazzy pixel speech bubble page headers!

Now if you look up there below the header you'll see some new tabs. The 12 Days After Christmas tab, the Tour Photos tab, and the Twibbon tab. I got the idea for a Relient K themed 12 days of Christmas this past Wednesday morning, so (starting today) for the next 11 days there will be a new gift under the tab and also on Instagram!

The Tour Photos tab is where you'll see photos from both legs of the Looking For America tour.

If you want to submit a photo to be featured, email me (thefreshestblogintheworld@gmail.com) or DM the photo(s) to me on Twitter along with your name, the city and state the show was in, and the date. It'll look a little like this when I post it in the gallery:

Finally, I want to talk about Twibbons. Not the Air For Free Twibbon, though. What I want to talk about is the "I Found America" Twibbon. 

The intro to the Switchfoot set inspired me to do this. I occasionally think about the phrase and, for some reason, it stuck with me. It has made an impact on me.

"Tonight we are looking for America, and here you are."

And thus, this Twibbon was born

It comes in two background colors: Black with the white Switchfoot logo and white with the black Switchfoot logo. They both feature the words "I found America" in the Air For Free primary colors. To add the black background one (the most popular) to your Twitter or Facebook icon, click the Twibbon tab. 

Until next time, I wish you the best.

Sahara

Christmas Wishes + A Surprise

Since nothing much is happening right now, I decided I'd just pop in to wish you all a Merry Christmas! I'm excited to see what the new year brings for me, this blog, and music! I hope each of you had a great year and I hope 2017 treats you well.

Speaking of 2017...

Starting January 1st I'm going to start featuring photography, edits, and art on the blog! I'm starting submissions now, so if you want to enter, DM it to my Twitter or Instagram, or email the it to thefreshestblogintheworld@gmail.com along with your name. The only requirement is that it has to be Relient K themed, of course. I look forward to seeing if I recieve any enteries!

All the best,
Sahara

PS: You might see some new tabs up there... I'll be explaining soon...

PPS: Crosby the reindeer wishes you a Merry Christmas.