Switchfoot - "American Dream" (2006) & Relient K "Devastation and Reform" (2007)

Today I’m doing something I haven’t done before. I’m giving you two songs for the price of one, but don’t get too excited because it was free anyway. Relient K and Switchfoot are two bands that began their careers in the contemporary Christian scene each releasing three albums before crossing over to the mainstream with their fourth albums. For Switchfoot, it was their huge hit “Meant To Live” from the album The Beautiful Letdown. Relient K saw some success with the singles “Be My Escape” and “Who I Am Hates Who I’ve Been” from their album mmhmm. The reason I’m featuring both of these bands together is because they are currently out on the Appetite for Construction Tour. I had the pleasure of seeing them in Baton Rouge last night and both bands played full sets and each one was amazing. Aside from getting to see two awesome bands, buying a ticket for this tour is making a donation. One dollar from each ticket goes to Habitat for Humanity which builds houses for needy families. Switchfoot released their sixth album Oh! Gravity the day after Christmas last year and was somewhat of a return to form for them. It has a much rawer sound than their overly polished 2005 release Nothing Is Sound. The guitars are grittier and the songs are faster and catchier. Today’s song is an excellent commentary on American materialism and the live version was outstanding. Relient K just released their fifth album Five Score and Seven Years Ago, which was their second album for Capitol Records. This album has a much more poppy sound than some of their previous work, with piano used more than ever before on the singles “Must Have Done Something Right” and “The Best Thing.” However, it does have some hard rock tendencies on songs like “I Need You” and today’s song which has the catchiest riff on the album. These are two of my favorite bands and to see them on the same bill was a great show. As a special treat during Switchfoot’s set, Relient K singer Matthew Thiessen came out to perform a song he co-wrote with Switchfoot’s Jon Foreman. The song was called “Rebuild” and hasn’t yet been released but I’m guessing it will show up on Switchfoot’s next record. Be sure to check out both of these band’s albums and if the tour is coming close to you, don’t hesitate to get tickets. You can check out the remaining dates here.


Switchfoot - "American Dream"


Relient K - "Devastation and Reform"