(Sorry for poor formating, i'm on mobile) In August of 2013 I got to go to/have some behind the scenes access of a Relient K show at my College. The show was great, even though you could tell the whole band was worn out from the previous run of shows. My friend who I was hanging out with at this show, was mutuals with the touring drummer (Tom, was his name maybe?) told me to stick close at the end and we would help him take down Toms? kit after the show. The show wraps, we talk with Tom as he takes down his kit, grab a bag and walk towards the bus with him. At the bus one of the university workers we have made friends with just arrived with drinks and snacks for the group, and asks us to take it on board for him. Tom hands my friend the head, and tells him to take it on the bus and set it and anything else we may want signed, next to the snacks. I set my copy of the self titled album in there (Tom didn't want to sign that, understandable, nor did M@, but Hoopes did.) Off the bus, I had some great conversations with Hoopes about the history of the group, and his Mk6 VW Gti he had at the time. A day or so after, my friend ended up gifting me the head, such a generous dude, and a gift I won't part with. I am forever greatful to have gotten to be so hands on with my favorite tweenage years band, they are some swell doods.

The addition of the piano riff makes this very Relient K-esque. Great song!

Repress on blue/white marble, limited to 500 copies.

Was looking over the full lineup and to my surprise RK are playing Sunday!

We all know about the "took my heavy heart and made it light" line that gets repeated on MMHMM as a theme of that album. But today I was listening to FANSD and I noticed these lines:

"I'd rather forget and not slow down"

"But I won't go slow, and time can let the mind forget"

"But don't forget the speed that I can go"

Now obviously, the name of the album is Forget and Not Slow Down, so it's no surprise that that's the theme. But I had never noticed that that phrase sort of appears in different forms a couple times later on in the album. And, it occurs in the first track, (approximately) the middle track, and the last song/track. So I'm not so much wondering if it's a hidden theme, but it would be kinda neat if this was done intentionally (or even if it was a coincidence tbh)

So what do you think? Feel free to tell me I'm an idiot for not noticing this 17 years ago lol

To me, best album. It came out when I was in college, and man, I felt it. I love the earlier albums, and I feel like they may be "better," in a commercial sense, but this album has something indescribable.

The artist Semler has a new song coming out and got Matt Hoopes to lay down some sweet sweet guitar tone for it.

I know someone posted a comment a while back that these were coming back in stock soon, just curious if anyone has heard anything on new pressings? Or knows when more will be available?

I missed out on the MMHMM DRV Pedal through 1981 Inventions. Can anyone tell me if the differences between this pedal and the other DRV pedals were cosmetic only (the artwork, signatures, etc.), or if it produced a unique sound? I want to try and get the MMHMM sound, and was wondering if one of the other DRV pedals would do the trick just as good. Thanks.

Hello!

I was looking into buying the FANSD LVL pedal from 1981 and was curious as to if anyone who has ordered one has received it yet.

If so, I’d love to hear your thoughts on it!

I got the signed mmhmm pedal a couple years ago and love it! I was looking into adding the FANSD pedal to my arsenal because I love the guitar tones of the album (I mean I love everything about that album lol).

I’m trying hard to justify another guitar related purchase purchase, as I JUST bought a new tube amp and a Mesa Boogie Throttle Box pedal, but I am now mentally rationalizing that I need a LOW gain pedal now 😂.

Any thoughts, opinions, or help in any way would be much appreciated!

Thanks!

I don’t know if y’all are aware but some fans of Relient K started a podcast, The Lock-In, to determine the best album and song. Every episode covers an album, gives some background info, and has a guest that’s connected to Relient K somehow. Mark Lee Townsend joins for the MMHMM episode and Matt Hoopes joins for the FANSD episode

I linked their episode from last week, Air for Free, because although FANSD is my favorite album, the way the hosts and their guest handle RK’s last album was so cathartic. But please check it out and go back to episode 1 - so worth it!

Although I truly wish for more music from RK, the way they discussed certain songs helped me to be at peace with how this might be the best way they could’ve said goodbye (for now… I hope).

Their last episode is in a couple weeks so I hope you join me in voting for your favorite song that they might’ve overlooked to be included in their final discussion. This isn’t my podcast, I just think we (the fans) need to broaden the conversation before the season is over and maybe show that the hunger for more RK music is very much still alive!

Edit: CLAIMED

I'm giving away the special edition packaging from back when it came out the first time. Wooden case and tote bag. It just never fit well on shelves, and I used it to store ephemera from other albums.

Also included, if you want them, are the MIS-PRESSED discs from Air for Free, where there was an unavoidable skip/loop, so they sent out replacement discs. These are the bad discs, but you could use them to make record bowls or something. The discs are white.

I just ask that you pay for shipping. I'll put it in a box with bubble wrap/paper and send it via USPS.

DM me. First come first serve. Continental US only.

(If I don't respond right away, be patient. I'll update the post or remove it when it's successfully claimed.)

Saw a Carter Vail song on TikTok that musically reminded me of Reliant k, someone help me out, because it’s stuck in my head.

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZPLJqv4y7/

Side note, it’s a little nsfw

I live in Ohio and only been to 2-3 Cleveland Browns games so not sure if this is a common thing, but I was at the home opener this weekend and they played Don't Blink during pregame in the stadium! Felt so right to hear our hometown boys from Canton playing for the whole stadium. I was hoping to hear Mrs. Hippopotamuses', but no such luck.

Does anyone have a vinyl copy of Wind Up Bird in good condition that they'd be willing to sell?

For fellow deconstructed folks and other interested parties. Matt Thiessen is one of six featured artists in a new documentary on the reality/ behind the scenes of the Christian music scene in the 2000s.

Safe For The Whole Family, hits festivals this week, so it's imagine it'll be a minute before we know if/ where it'll be available to watch, I saw the trailer on Instagram.

Semler, who they took on tour as an owner a few years back does the theme/ original song for the film.

Hope this is okay to post:

Anybody have spare copies of these CD's they'd be willing to part with? The final 2 pieces of art that my wife needs to finish her collection, and discogs and eBay seem to be lacking at the moment.

I think this was the last known matt thiesen collab?

I sang passionately to this song at fifteen, sixteen, thinking 23 sounded forever away, and God, I was singing along just now and realized I turn 25 in a couple months. And I relate all the same. Not much makes me cry these days but I'm wiping away tears, it's amazing how music can connect you to your past selves.

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Mmmmmmmm