Switchfoot - Oh! Gravity
Most modern day rock songs sing of love and heartbreak, teen angst and more heartbreak, but breaking out of this mold is Switchfoot’s new album Oh! Gravity. Lead singer Jon Foreman leaves behind the heartbreak and goes for deeper and more meaningful topics pertaining to life and our material times. The album contains both an electric and an acoustic version of the stand out track “American Dream.” Over wailing guitars and a hard rock beat Foreman sings:
When success is equated with excess
When we’re fighting for the Beamer, the Lexus
As the heart and soul breath in the company goals
Where success is equated with excess
Later in the chorus:
Like a puppet on a monetary string
Maybe we’ve been caught singing
Red, white, blue, and green
But that ain’t my America,
That ain’t my American dream
The fact that Switchfoot has gone beyond the heartbreak lyric mold is a pretty big step especially for a band that could have become a one hit wonder with the song “Dare You to Move.” Switchfoot has also managed to keep their sound very diverse; even within the album their sound changes. With a five-piece group (Foreman on guitar and vocals, Tim Foreman on bass, Chad Butler on drums, Jerome Fontamillas on keys and guitar, and Drew Shirley on guitar), Switchfoot has the talent to do new and interesting things with their sound and they seem to be using that to its fullest. With a sound and voice reminiscent of R.E.M. and Sting, Switchfoot has the uncanny ability to rock hard on tracks like “Oh! Gravity” and “Amateur Lovers”, but then pull it back for the sentimental and fantastic “Yesterdays.”
Switchfoot is a band that doesn’t have just one star or frontman. The reason they are so fun to listen to is because each member is excellent at what they bring to the group. It’s not a compiled mess but rather a well-choreographed message on life. Switchfoot seems to have found their own voice; a voice that’s meant to constantly change and evolve. That’s a pretty unique quality in a band that was almost labeled a one hit wonder.
Posted on January 8, 2007 12:00 AM
Comments
A very good album, not as lyrically strong as Nothing Is Sound, but still very good, worth the listen.
Posted by: RedAutumn | January 9, 2007 6:50 AM
As already said, The album is great, yet doesn't touch the greatness of Nothing Is Sound. I hate to find myself typing that, because it annoys me when I see others comparing albums, but honestly, Nothing Is Sound was absolutly genious. Having said all that....the more I listen to Oh! Gravity, the more I love it. Two big thumbs up to Switchfoot once again. The lyrics are standoutish, the style is origonal, vocals amazing; and maybe I'll tell you all how I feel again in a week or two because I'm sure it'll be more positive.
Posted by: Stretch | January 9, 2007 10:04 AM
It seems as if no one has heard Switchfoot's earlier albums. (They put out 4 before Nothing Is Sound) If you really want to hear their diversity, talent and evolution as a band, get a hold of their whole collection. Great band, for a long time running.
Posted by: Jesse | January 9, 2007 2:51 PM
a friend of mine said she loved it because she wasn't instantly gratified with it... it was something that took time, and switchfoot is all about getting past instant gratification.
Posted by: cat | January 9, 2007 11:00 PM
its interesting to hear that people thought that this album wasnt as good as nothing is sound. I also loved nothing is sound and think it was a really soild album, but i found it to be somewhat predictable. It was nice to see switchfoot try a different sound then they have before.
Posted by: Katy | January 10, 2007 12:32 PM
I haven't had a chance to listen to the new album, but we had a poker game at Don Miller's house with the band, and these are some of the nicest guys around...very unassuming and mellow, but outstanding musicians. By every account I've ever heard, they put on a spectacular live show, as well.
Posted by: Jordan Green | January 10, 2007 1:20 PM
I agree with Jesse. Their three independent albums before The Beautiful Letdown were all great in their own ways, if a little immature at the beginning. I still think Learning to Breathe is their best effort, and Oh! Gravity. is subpar for a band that regularly references people like Bob Dylan, Soren Kierkegaard and St. Augustine in their songwriting but can now get away with repeating "in circles" six times and call it a chorus. Super-nice guys, though, and still some of the best rockers in the business.
Posted by: Mark | January 11, 2007 8:01 PM
While others celebrate the bands evolution beyond simple introspection, I lament the change. I love the way their most recent albums have challenged our culture to change, but I miss the window into internal struggle that was opened in songs like "Don't be there" and "Let that be enough"
Posted by: Eric Pagan | January 11, 2007 9:23 PM