1. Oh! Gravity:

It seems that the love affair between Jon Foreman and the laws of physics continues. Will it ever end? I have a lovely mental image of this rocker as an old man bent over a beaten guitar teaching a philosophy class. - Perhaps its not such a far throw from reality. As I have come to know and love Switchfoot through the years, they have become less like rock stars and more like friends or family, in the most genuine sense. It is fitting then, that I am a proud Aunt to this album. Aunt Rose. I like that.

In the opening track pure indie inspiration blended with San Diego rock [or as I’ve heard, your “favorite punk band of the moment”?] blurs to leave you with an important question for today’s society. “Why can’t we seem to keep it together?” When this track ends you are left with the mental image of a broken America and a longing for something that we haven’t quite reached as a nation. If Gravity can hold it together, why can’t we? Switchfoot is known for their transcending questions and Jon had this to say of his repetitive themes:

“I would say again you're fighting the same demons. And as much as you'd like to move on and start fighting new ones, sometimes you're still fighting the same ones... Many times these are songs that come straight from the heart. A lot of times, your heart still has wounds you're recovering from.”

The distorted guitars and discord of Fontamillas aka “the Fountain of Sound” make this tune very easy on the ears. I might also add I love how much Chad’s drumming has developed on this album. The beat is simplistic, but very “classy.”

The only disappointment in this song to me [might I remind you that I am very biased on anything having to do with this band] is that the album version is cut shorter than the radio edit by 10 seconds, depriving the listening fans of Drew’s crooning. I will leave it at that, because I feel the title track has been review, over reviewed and popped into the microwave to be reviewed again.

2. American Dream:

I believe that someone from the Fallout said that the name of this song reminded them of Jon Stuart holding a guitar. I would have to strongly disagree, though the muse does bring a smile to my face.

Tim Foreman said that they tried to stay away from the “Wall of Guitar” that is usually coexistent with what we normally consider rock. Since this is Switchfoot, I’d like to think they never really fit into that genre to begin with.

“I want out of this Machine” - Well, so do I. This anti-materialism song sends the message that “maybe we’ve been caught singing red, white, blue and green” - In other words, maybe we get caught up in our physical needs and wants. I am endlessly amazed at Foreman’s ability to say what he’s trying to get out without forcing his opinion on anyone with an uncanny talent to make it catchy . While this is serious subject matter, the word “bling” even manages to make an appearance. I secretly believe that this song was written solely for that purpose, but know better. As far as reviews go, “talk has always been the cheapest thing.” Let us instead pay attention to the chaotic guitars on this track.

3. Dirty Second Hands:

You’ve never heard this side of Switchfoot before. - I’ve heard it compared to an Alice In Chains b-side that takes away from the rest of the album, but let us hope that is not the majority’s opinion.

I’ve heard it called bluesy, country-alt and a plethora of other things, but the sound to this song is unique to it’s makers, and doesn’t quite fit in any genre. While Chad did say “label’s are a necessary evil.” I’ve had to put this one into the same category as Nickelback and Greenday. My apologies to Switchfoot fans everywhere.

Along with the materialistic tendencies we have here in the Land of the Free, Dirty Second Hands continues instilling the fact that “we invent our own enemies” and that we are constantly wasting our time on unimportant things. We will ultimately have to face our worst fears and enemies, and lo! We just might be facing ourselves. I myself, don’t want my “blood to run pink.” - Enough said. The dark tones of this tune run deep and Foreman just might have a point. I’m overjoyed at the product of un-pressured writing and tracking from this band.

4. Awakening:

Though Steve Lillywhite [producer] might have put a stop to the original Bob Dylan-esque intro featuring the harmonica, you can’t beat his ability to produce a durn good anthem. I feel like this is where “Lonely Nation” should pick up Its placement in the album also brings your mind some relief from the cold realities of how far we have fallen as humans and gives us some hope [not that there was no hope in the album before this track]. - It doesn’t hurt to have some nifty key changes in the bridge, either. It’s certain this one is a favorite with long time fans. The lyrics to this track don’t require much interpretation, and who can’t relate to the line “last week saw me living for nothing but deadlines/with my deadbeat sky.” I know I can. - “I wanna wake up kicking and screaming.”

5. Circles:

Oh! Where to start? We’ve been waiting for this one for a long time, and Switchfoot comes through with their promise. They said we’d see Circles in the future, and it was well worth the wait. Sean and Sara Watkins [Nickel Creek] helped the guys take this track off of an almost 4-year-old shelf and breathed new life into it. It’s grown up some from the 30 second track that some hardcore fans were familiar with. Even this short glimpse of the future gave us insight to a Switchfoot we’d never dreamt of before.

This is an alternative track, the whole album has an indie feel to it. I might say this is album is less mainstream than we’ve ever heard from them before.

“Am I alive? Am I on purpose?” As Chad once informed us, this is definitely a musical musing for thinking people. The theme is keeping with the idea of the album title that we can’t hold it together, and we’re “spinning out” of control, but not without questioning the reason why. - At first listen it might seem a tad repetitive and simple, but with it’s synth effect and backing vocals, its driving guitars send home a firm hope for change, “don’t believe in this modern machine”. - What was it that CCM said? “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” - Something’s broken, but it is definitely not this song.

6. Amateur Lovers:

Yeah I know what you’re thinking…and apparently so does Switchfoot. - Sex, drugs and rock ’n roll…right? Wrong, “we’ve all got a disease, deficiency of love.” and have no idea what we’re doing. This one is pretty straight forward, “we’re just amateur lovers, with amateur friends.” We’re all in the same rat race, but eventually we all become starved for a real love instead of what Cosmo is selling. This one says Easier Than Love II to me. To hear Foreman repeating the last night of this song “professional” over and over hit’s a very mature point. For you dimwits who haven’t caught on yet, let me point out the obvious. Amateur/Professional, Amateur/Professional. Thank you and goodnight.

I love the simplistic guitar on this track. Tim Foreman rips out the bass lines like never before on this album. - Jerome’s also got some nice jazzy keys you’ll catch yourself humming every time you turn around.

7. Faust, Midas and Myself:

A man who made a pact with Satan, a man with a touch of gold and…Jon Foreman? Doesn’t sound like a rock song, does it? I was really tentative about this song after reading the lyrics. Story songs have never been in my list of favorite things [notice Sound of Music reference]. My doubts were quickly put to sleep after hearing this catchy melody and once you hit the chorus “What direction? What direction?” You’re hooked. Rhythmic and insightful, this is not your typical fairy tale. We’re not sure what personal experience Mr. Foreman has in mind when singing this song, but we’re sure there’s a moral ending. This isn’t something we’ve heard from Switchfoot before. - As they say, there may be some darker content, but it’s definitely set to a happy tune. I must say that I enjoy the lack of the driving guitars, a simple guitar continues through this song and it’s enough to carry you through.

8. Head Over Heels [In This Life]:

Alert the media, it’s been a few albums since we’ve heard a love song from Switchfoot. - I have to say this is not one I’m sold on. The lyrics are sweet and definitely came from an honest place, but some of them are just a tad too familiar. “Your everything that’s fair in love and war” sounds a bit too U2-ish to not mention [yes Jon, we know you met Bono]. There is a distinct Yellowcard sound when the bridge is reached “You’re my only one”, sound like you‘ve heard it before? You have. I’m not accusing Jon of plagiarism, I’m saying it’s hard to make a unique love song. Everything’s been said before. I’d probably classify this one as a rock ballad. - Don’t get me wrong, I love this track. It’s on repeat in my iPod. I think I just accidentally used product placement…Oops. It’s a catchy soft rock song.

9. Yesterdays:

Death is a hard subject to write about. I‘m going to sum up this song with one quote…you need to sit down and close your eyes to listen to this one, believe me, someone you love will come to mind.

“Every lament is a love song”

Remember, folks a song has bigger impact when you actually hear it versus reading just the lyrics. - I strongly suggest buying the record just to hear Jon’s voice looped through faders and played like an instrument. I wish this were the next single.

10. Burn Out Bright:

If Burn Out Bright and American Dream are relatives, they must be twins. Except a decision has definitely been made when you get to Burn Out Bright. The Harmonies are gripping and the bridge again rocks out and says more than your average band. This band may be about sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll, but you can definitely tell Grandma about these ones. - They’ve got purpose. This is a classic Switchfoot song that rocks out hard.

11. 4:12

It is intentionally cruel that they make you wait till the very end of the album to pull this card. I don’t care who you are, this track is dancey and you can’t not move to it when you hear it. A wide smile is sure to come to your face. There’s a very real quality about the visuals Jon is spitting out “you’re waiting tables and parking cars, you’ve been selling cell phones at the shopping mall”. Again the theme of this album seems to be focused on how focused we are on materialism and how “we still can’t believe that all we are is material. It’s nonsensical.” With the raw guitar and the key change this is probably my favorite track on the entire album. Okay I take that back, it’s like trying to pick a favorite child. This one is just light and fun and makes you tap your foot, maybe even clap along. Pop-rock made by San Diego boys sounds good.

12. Let Your Love:

This is the kind of Switchfoot love song I remember. Jon is an acoustic genius, not to mention one of the most talented lyricists we’ve heard since Bob Dylan. With his comparisons of our man made world and God made world, he sings a sweet ballad that speaks of a resolve, that maybe it’s alright that we can’t hold it together if you can find something worth fighting for. Maybe you didn’t expect to hear about monkeys on this track, but it fits. To me this is actually the best lyrical song of the album. Or maybe I’m just a sucker for an original love song. - This is a great way to wrap up the euphoria that is Oh! Gravity. And as I began, I end the same “In this world of news, I’ve found nothing new.”

Is Switchfoot about Sex, Drugs and Rock ‘n Roll? Yes, yes they are. Just not the way you thought.

Thanks Y'all,
Rose

Labels: album reviews., reader submissions.