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 so [Read More...]
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I’m an older (almost, gulp, 40) pop, indie, alternative music fan who came across a great pop song on the radio titled “Stars.” Bought it on iTunes, enjoyed it. By this band called “Switchfoot.”
I recently saw a new album by Switchfoot on Amazon (released on my birthday, Dec. 26th!) and thought, what the heck, let’s see if there are any good “Stars”-like songs on it. Digressing, I appreciate solid albums (yeah, 10-12 songs long) that don’t force you to skip songs and provide an emotional ride (haven’t had many of those since the peak of U2, R.E.M., Coldplay, Radiohead, etc.). To say the new Switchfoot album was a complete surprise is the understatement of the decade. And then I found out they were a “Christian” band (I love labels) and I was like, really? Don’t care one way or the other, because this is an awesome rock/pop whatever-you-want-to-label-it album.
Partial credit must go to Steve Lillywhite - he has this knack of getting the most pop (yeah, I like pop songs - sue me) out of rock bands, while keeping the emotional strengths and solid musicianship. Look at Dave Matthews Band - their first three albums (love em or hate em) are incredible pop rock albums with emotion to boot. Nothing they have done since ditching Mr. Lillywhite have been nearly as good. So, even though I have not heard Switchfoot’s catalog, I must give credit in part to Mr. Lillywhite for the incredibly pleasant surprise that is “Oh! Gravity.”
Enough blathering - every song has something interesting about it, whether it be soaring guitars (the build up to and chorus of “Head Over Heels”), awesome singing (screaming in “Oh! Gravity” and “Awakening”), heartfelt emotion (”Head Over Heels” and “Yesterdays”), kick-a** rhythms (the whole album) and interesting musical touches throughout (”Dirty Second Hands” “Faust” and my favorite, “4:12″). The lyrics and emotion feel honest, not forced, and definitely provide some solid messages for this time (excess - bad, having a heart - good). And while its sounds like a mid-90’s song by Gutterball (look it up), “Amatuer Lovers” rocks out and places a giddy smile on my face every time I hear it.
I highly recommend this album - you may not rate every song a five out of five, but you have to appreciate a rock band that can do a lot of different things interestingly and well without pretention and with passion. Congratulations to Switchfoot - you have a hard core new fan. I can only imagine how fun it would be to hear these songs live…
I first saw Switchfoot when they were riding on the underground success of their single “Chem 6A.” They were young, full of energy, playful, yet with serious undertones to their lyrics. That seriousness became more evident with each of the following albums. They showed maturity and skill that went beyond the average garage band, and “Learning to Breathe” proved to me that this was a group that would rise to the top. Then, with “Nothing is Sound,” their darker side became ponderous. I liked the album, but understood why many revolted.
“Oh! Gravity” doesnt’ find Switchfoot backing down from their sound or style, but it does show a leap forward in musical texture and in lyrics that question without floundering in the depths too long. The more I listen, the more I find to like. Songs that didn’t grab me at first are now the ones I spin through again.
If the artsy simplicity of the cover isn’t a signal of new things, then be prepared for a group that is taking it to another level. From guitar riffs, to vocals, to layers of sound, this is an album that belongs on the list of the year’s best.