| Thursday, December 28, 2006 |
| POLL: Which song should be the next radio single? |
[From now on, I'll try and post a few words about the poll question every week. This will also serve as a way to archive polls and results, and to discuss the question in the comments section. This is the first such post, so I will link the results of the previous two polls at the end of this post. Once this poll ends, I will update this post with a link to the results.]
I think its time Switchfoot released something that reflects their diversity, for a change... "Awakening" and "Head Over Heels" (the tracks billed to be the next singles) are the most musically straightforward tracks on the album--fun tracks, potential hits, but no surprises, nothing too original. They released such tracks as singles on the previous 2 albums when there were better choices in my opinion (Stars and WAOT were in my bottom 3 tracks on NIS). This brought in fans that don't really appreciate, say, the "4:12" or the "Happy Is A Yuppie Word" side of Switchfoot. Not that these fans are bad, but I'd like to see them put out stuff that better represents the album and exposes them to a newer fan base than the Top 40 crowd. Switchfoot isn't a Top-40 sounding band, and their single choices aren't helping the world realize that. "Oh! Gravity." was an exception--a good choice, as it stands out from the rest of the stuff on radio (there's nothing to worry if it isn't a huge hit--ultimately, word of mouth is the most respectable way to spread). So I think they should take it a step further and release "Amateur Lovers" or "Dirty Second Hands" or something like that, and once the buzz about the "new Switchfoot" begins to do the rounds, they can top it off with "Awakening". Another great option, I think, would be (and many will disagree) the floating, lounge sound of "Yesterdays". Sure, it might result in Switchfoot being on the soundtrack of every tear-jerking TV program--but that would still mean, a blowout hit. I don't know if the guys would want that for a song as personal as "Yesterdays", but that song manages to be unlike anything Switchfoot has released before, while still having "hit" written all over it.
Ultimately its all in the label's hands, and they only think of what will make the most money at the outset. And Awakening is a safe bet, for that. Besides, mainstream radio DJs don't go easy on an artist whose recent singles have flopped (read: Stars and WAOT). So, if luring the indie and alternative kids isn't the main goal, its a good idea to release "Awakening" to win over mainstream radio first, and then release something more diverse, once they have people's attention. But my point is, they should soon release something that doesn't aim at moving the most units, but at reflecting the depth of the band's work.
Don't forget to vote your opinion (the pollbox is on the sidebar, if you scroll down a bit), and don't hesitate to further explain/discuss it in the comments section. Thanks for reading.
Edit: Poll ended 11th Jan '07. Click here for the RESULTS
Previous Polls:
2: What is your favourite Switchfoot DVD? (see results)
1: Which of these artists that Switchfoot brought on tour would you like to see again? (see results)Labels: excess opinion_analysis., polls. |
posted by phil @ 3:13 AM  
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| 11 Comments: |
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ahhh.. despite what you say about "Awakening" being the next hit single, the poll-takers dont seem to get it! ;P
hey. I know what you mean too. I think "Dirty Second Hands" would do well.. it'd make people take a second glance like, "wait, is that Switchfoot?" but I'm not sure if that song would represent the entire album.. if you ask me.. I was thinking "Faust, Midas, and Myself" would make an interesting single.. not to mention a creative music video.
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I voted for "Amateur Lovers". In addition to it being one of my favorite tracks on the album, I think it would grab a lot of attention. After hearing Jon Foreman scream "Let's do it again!" and "professionals!" countless times, who could help but stop and say "Wait... what was that I just heard?" I think a song like that would be good for the radio listeners who are used to listening to the same styles and same artist over and over again. But maybe that's just me...
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I didn't read your review so I wouldn't be biased. But I say: "Awakening. Duh."
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Yeah I'm all for AL - it's way different.
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I know there's no chance and it's not exactly the best fit for radio, but I'd love to hear "Circles".
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I have to go with Jill on this one. "Amateur Lovers" got my vote, though it was hard to fight the temptation to vote for "Yesterdays". But "Awakening" wouldn't be a bad choice at all, it just wouldn't have that surprise element.. since that song is the anthemic Switchfoot that radio already knows. "Amateur Lovers" on the other hand would really grab people's attention, and would erase some preconceived notions about the band.
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you know, im gonna be the renegade in this outfit and say "4:12." i feel like this osng is just so well rounded, and has just the right amount of intellectual stimulation that it'll challenge the listener, and not totally throw them into a mental loop. and the end of that song........LOVE. IT.
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i agree with you about the song, but you think it'd make a good single? its a bit too eclectic for radio folks' tastes, doncha think?
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I was kind of surprised about "4:12" not being an option, too. I hold to what I said in the chatbox: while "Awakening" would definitely be a huge hit, I'd rather hear "Amateur Lovers" on the radio.
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