Editorial ReviewsAmazon.com
Contemporary Christian music has come a long way toward secular acceptance in recent years thanks to the likes of Switchfoot, who avoid obvious sacred references in their lyrics. It's also refreshing to hear CCM songwriters like Switchfoot's Jonathan Foreman explore love and belonging as song subjects. Unfortunately, The Beautiful Letdown hews too closely to the formula established by alternative CCM brethren Jars of Clay and Creed. Songs like the title track and "More Than Fine" come close to forging their own identity, but too often sound overproduced and designed to appeal to the widest audience. Still, Foreman's songwriting shows potential, and his progressive vision for spiritual themes indicates a willingness to color outside the lines. --Matthew Cooke
1. Meant To Live
2. This Is Your Life
3. More than Fine
4. Ammunition
5. Dare You To Move
6. Redemption
7. Beautiful Let Down
8. Gone
9. On Fire
10. Adding To The Noise
11. 24
The Beautiful Letdown
Track Listings
1. Lonely Nation
2. Stars
3. Happy Is A Yuppie Word
4. The Shadow Proves The Sunshine
5. Easier Than Love
6. The Blues
7. The Setting Sun
8. Politicians
9. Golden
10. The Fatal Wound
11. We Are One Tonight
12. Daisy
Nothing Is Sound
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Switchfoot is the classic eight-year "overnight success" story. With a pocketful of radio hits, award nominations, and multi-platinum status, the band's Beautiful Letdown in 2003 introduced Switchfoot to a whole new world. But let's keep in mind that prior to the massive success, the San Diego-based band honed its chops with constant touring and three solid independent albums. Nothing Is Sound lives up to expectations with plenty of guitar-driven alternative rock bound to keep everyone happy. And that is the irony here as lead man Jon Foreman continues to sing about loneliness, alienation, and disenchantment in the land of plenty. "Lonely Nation," "Stars," and "The Fatal Wound" paint a bleak picture of a generation gripped by greed but remaining unsatisfied. Yet with every dark stroke, Foreman casts an eye toward a brighter tomorrow with hopeful lines like "I don't believe the emptiness/I'm looking for the kingdom coming down" in "Happy Is A Yuppie Word" and "Though the world is flawed these scars will heal/We are one tonight" in "We Are One Tonight." Foreman's ever-improving songwriting is enhanced by rich, lush production and a driving rhythm section of bassist Tim Foreman and drummer Chad Butler. Newer members Jerome Fontamillas (keys) and Andrew Shirley (guitars) fill out the empty spots well, giving Switchfoot a shimmering sonic glow on this superb release. This is another leap forward for one of rock's most promising bands. --Michael Lyttle
1. Oh! Gravity.
2. American Dream
3. Dirty Second Hands
4. Awakening
5. Circles
6. Amateur Lovers
7. Faust, Midas, And Myself
8. Head Over Heels (In This Life)
9. Yesterdays
10. Burn Out Bright
11. 4:12
12. Let Your Love Be Strong
Oh Gravity
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
With Oh! Gravity, the San Diego-based modern rock act delivers their best album in years, one that fully reconciles their (Christian) faith with their (considerable) talent. It's diverse but not overly so, and while the production work of veteran Tim Palmer (U2, Tears for Fears) helps provide a radio-friendly sheen atop everything, it's actually their least compromised/mainstream sounding record since the group left the indie scene. From the chiming, revved-up, anthemic title song, which pairs compressed vocals with distorted guitars, to the moody and mildly schizophrenic single "Dirty Second Hands," this album is loud and dirty, the lyrics are thoughtful and plaintive. Lead singer/songwriter Jon Foreman clearly questions the meaning of the band's success, and the role they play in the scheme of things: "Like a puppet on a monetary string/Maybe we've been caught singing/Red, white, blue, and green/But that ain't my American dream." If only Switchfoot's conscience could be implanted in the bodies of other modern rock acts! The world might not necessarily be a better place, but the radio certainly would be. --Mike McGonigal
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