Air for Free

Air for Free
Studio album by
Relient K
ReleasedJuly 22, 2016
Genre
Length59:16
LabelMono vs Stereo
ProducerMark Lee Townsend
Relient K chronology
Collapsible Lung
(2013) 		Air for Free
(2016)
Singles from Air for Free
  1. "Bummin'"
    Released: April 13, 2016[3]

Air for Free is the eighth studio album by Relient K, released on July 22, 2016, through Mono vs Stereo.[4] The album's lead single, "Bummin'", was released on April 13, 2016.[3] It is the first album since Five Score and Seven Years Ago (2007) to feature drummer Dave Douglas, though he is not credited as an official member. It also features the return of producer Mark Lee Townsend following his absence on Collapsible Lung (2013).

Release and promotion

A week before its official release, Air for Free was streamed in its entirety on Pandora Radio.[5] In support of the album, Relient K played an album-release show in their home state of Ohio on July 23, 2016, with Cardboard Kids opening,[6] and later embarked on the Looking for America Tour with Switchfoot. The tour ran from September 16, beginning in Denver, Colorado, through November 26, concluding in San Francisco, California.[7]

Commercial performance

Air for Free debuted at its peak of No. 44 on the Billboard 200 and also No. 1 album on the Top Christian Albums Chart, selling 9,000 copies in its opening week.[8]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
CCM Magazine[9]
CM Addict[2]
Jesus Freak Hideout[1]
[10]

The album was met with critical acclaim. Writing for Jesus Freak Hideout, Michael Weaver states, "Air for Free could be described as what Collapsible Lung should've been";[1] in a similar vein, Cortney Warner declares that the album "proves the band is far from 'has been' status, and continues to create fresh, thoughtful music that anyone can enjoy."[10] In his review for CM Addict, Michael Tackett says, "Air for Free is lyrically and musically a welcome return to form for Relient K."[2] Writing for AllMusic, Neil Z. Yeung called the album a "lush and joyful affair" featuring a "sunny, creative blend of indie rock and contemporary pop."[11]

Track listing

Digital and CD[12]
No.TitleLength
0."Untitled" (piano version of "Marigold"; only on CD release of album, hidden in pregap)1:08
1."Bummin'"3:07
2."Local Construction"3:18
3."Mrs. Hippopotamuses'"2:37
4."Cat"2:44
5."Man"4:20
6."Air for Free"3:03
7."God"4:19
8."Elephant Parade"3:50
9."Mountaintop"3:38
10."Sleepin'"3:49
11."Empty House"3:22
12."Flower"4:09
13."Marigold"3:47
14."Runnin'"5:36
15."Prodigal"2:24
16."Heartache"5:13
Total length:59:16
Vinyl[13]
Side A
No.TitleLength
1."Local Construction"3:18
2."Bummin'"3:07
3."Marigold"3:47
4."Runnin'"5:36
Total length:15:48
Side B
No.TitleLength
5."Mrs. Hippopotamuses'"2:37
6."Cat"2:44
7."Elephant Parade"3:50
8."Man"4:20
Total length:13:31
Side C
No.TitleLength
9."Air for Free"3:03
10."God"4:19
11."Prodigal"2:24
12."Empty House"3:22
Total length:13:08
Side D
No.TitleLength
13."Mountaintop"3:38
14."Sleepin'"3:49
15."Flower"4:09
16."Heartache"5:13
Total length:16:49

Personnel

Credits adapted from the album's liner notes.[14]

Charts

Chart (2016) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[15] 72
New Zealand Heatseekers Albums (RMNZ)[16] 6
US Billboard 200[17] 44
US Christian Albums (Billboard)[18] 1
US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard)[19] 3
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[20] 6
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[21] 5

Release history

Sources: Amazon.com,[4] SMLXL Vinyl[13][22]

Region Date Format(s) Label
United States July 22, 2016
Mono vs Stereo
United States August 20, 2016 CD Mono vs Stereo

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Weaver, Michael (July 19, 2016). "Relient K, Air for Free Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved July 23, 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d Tackett, Michael (June 3, 2016). "Relient K Air for Free (Review)". CM Addict. Retrieved July 23, 2016.
  3. ^ a b "Relient K Bummin' (Official Audio Stream)". Youtube.com. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  4. ^ a b "Air for Free: Relient K: MP3 Downloads". Amazon. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  5. ^ "RELIENT K'S UPCOMING ALBUM FEATURED ON PANDORA PREMIER THIS WEEK". JesusFreakHideout.com. July 15, 2016. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
  6. ^ "Relient K 'Air for Free' Album Release Show/Cardboard Kids". clevescene.com. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  7. ^ "Concert Spotlight: SWITCHFOOT Announces Tour With RELIENT K". latfusa.com. May 16, 2016. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  8. ^ "Relient K Scores Its Fifth No. 1 on Top Christian Albums Chart With 'Air For Free'". Billboard. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
  9. ^ Conner, Matt (July 21, 2016). "Relient K – Air for Free album review". CCM Magazine. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
  10. ^ a b Warner, Cortney (July 21, 2016). "Relient K, Air for Free Second Staff Opinion Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved July 23, 2016.
  11. ^ "Air for Free - Relient K - Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  12. ^ "Air for Free by Relient K on iTunes". iTunes. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  13. ^ a b "Relient K - Air for Free 2LP". SMLXL Vinyl. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  14. ^ Air For Free (Media notes). Relient K. Mono vs Stereo. 2016.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. ^ "CHART WATCH #379". auspOp. July 30, 2016. Archived from the original on August 12, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2016.
  16. ^ "NZ Heatseekers Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. August 1, 2016. Retrieved July 29, 2016.
  17. ^ "Relient K Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
  18. ^ "Relient K Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
  19. ^ "Relient K Chart History (Top Alternative Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
  20. ^ "Relient K Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
  21. ^ "Relient K Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
  22. ^ "Relient K - Air for Free CD". SMXL Vinyl. Retrieved September 18, 2016.[permanent dead link‍]