By Andy Argyrakis
ALL ABOUT THE B-SIDESThe
boys in Relient K are already off to a busy summer thanks to an
expansive run on the “Vans Warped Tour." Besides catching the band in
concert, fans can swoop up a new CD offering. Though not a proper
studio project,
The Bird and the Bee Sides
(Gotee) complies a series of demos, rarities and unreleased cuts from
the pop/punkers’ accomplished career thus far. The first half is
bundled under the
The Nashville Tennis EP
banner and features each of the players stepping up to the microphone
for a series of unconventional expressions (such as Matt Thiessen’s
alternative country-tipped “At Least We Made It This Far” and new
drummer Ethan Luck’s reggae/punk spread “No Reaction”). From there,
expect loads of additional randomness, such as an acoustic version of
the smash “Who I Am Hates Who I’ve Been,” tracks collected from other
EPs and other deep cuts sure to strike the fancy of die-hards.
Be sure to check out Relient K’s tour blog live from the “Vans Warped Tour.”
“KICK IT OFF” WITH CAPITAL LIGHTSThough
pop/punkers Capital Lights are a brand-new alt-rock act, the Tooth
& Nail signees found pre-release fame thanks to time on tour with
Hawk Nelson. The group’s debut,
This Is an Outrage!,
will likely appeal to fans of those road partners, plus mainstream
mega-hitters The Academy Is… and Jimmy Eat World. Those who’ve never
heard the Tulsa-based troupe should be forewarned the ultra-catchy
“Kick It Off” will be caught on metal replay for days, while other
album cuts, such as “Worth As Much As a Counterfeit Dollar” and “Out of
Control,” are also infectious highlights.
DOUBLE DOSE OF PROG POWERIn
mainstream circles, the name Neal Morse may be best associated with
progressive rock super groups Spock’s Beard and Transatlantic, though
Christian audiences are likely more familiar with his post-2002 solo
offerings. Upon being born again, the astute songwriter and
multi-instrumentalist kept the same stylistic centering but switched up
his lyrics to a more spiritual perspective, which once again permeate
the brand-new DVD,
Sola Scriptura and Beyond
(Radiant/Metal Blade). Outside of culling selections from the studio CD
of the same name, the double disc affair touches on a variety of career
crests, including a massive medley from 2003’s critically acclaimed
Testimony.
For a complete list of new and upcoming albums, check out our new releases page.