It’s only 2009, but there’s already a Blog Tour going on for the 10 Best of the Decade. If you want a great way to catch up on what you’ve missed in the 2000s, then check out the link. I’ll admit it, I’m taking notes as I follow along. Continue reading →
switchfoot
31
Aug 08
The Beautiful Letdown (2003) by Switchfoot
Switchfoot
The Beautiful Letdown
2003, Columbia
alt rock
Shortly before this album’s release, I and other Switchfoot fans received an email through the band’s mailing list stating that Jerome Fontamillas, a keyboardist who had toured with the band since 2000, was officially a member of the band. Considering that this was also their first album with Columbia Records and the first time Charlie Peacock would not be their producer, it went unsaid that this album would be different than the others.
Switchfoot had perfected its lyrical depth with Learning to Breathe, but only with Beautiful Letdown did their musical arrangement mature as well. The addition of Fontamillas smoothed their sound to an almost alternative pop. In some ways that alienated old fans, but the ‘outsider’ stance that Switchfoot has always had remained in their intense lyrics. In fact, I think the lighter sound just emphasized the lyrics that much more.
The lyrics in this album are not explicitly Christian in any way, but there are oblique nods to spiritual issues and even God throughout. Again, this was also a difficult change for old fans to swallow, but it’s obvious now that Switchfoot was more comfortable in subtlety than they ever were with forthrightness. Either way, I’m not too much of a snob to say that I love this album despite the changes, and more importantly, I loved how much publicity this deserving band received. They have a swagger now that they never had before.
“Twenty Four,” “On Fire,” “The Beautiful Letdown,” and “Adding to the Noise.”
myspace, learning2breathe.com
Switchfoot’s Learning to Breathe, Anberlin’s Never Take Friendship Personal
29
Aug 08
Music Video: “Twenty Four” by Switchfoot
“I wrote this song near the end of my 24th year on this planet. Wherever we run, wherever the sun finds us when he rises, we remain stuck with ourselves. That can be overwhelming. Sometimes I feel like my soul is polluted with politicians, each with a different point of view. With all 24 of them in disagreement, each voice is yelling to be heard. And so I am divided against myself. I feel that I am a hypocrite until I am one, when all of the yelling inside of me dies down. I’ve heard that the truth will set you free. That’s what I’m living for: freedom of spirit. I find unity and peace in none of the diversions that this world offers. But I’ve seen glimpses of truth and that’s where I want to run.”
- Jon Foreman, Switchfoot
