| Tuesday, December 26, 2006 |
| Some much-anticipated (good and bad) reviews are in |
Merry Christmas! Happy Dec. 26th aka Boxing Day aka "Oh! Gravity." release day! I can't wait to go out and get a few copies...
MTV.com opines:
Switchfoot's Oh! Gravity: "Like a puppet on a monetary string/ Maybe we've been caught singing/ Red, white, blue and green/ But that ain't my American dream." That's not a bad stanza from singer/songwriter Jon Foreman, and one you'll hear on "American Dream," featured on his band's sixth LP. The San Diego quartet is hoping production by Tim Palmer (U2, Pearl Jam), executive production by Steve Lillywhite (U2, Dave Matthews Band) and songs like "Faust, Midas, and Myself" and "Burn Out Bright" do the trick.
New Year's Resolution: Stay spiritual but distance themselves from soft Christian artists like Matt Redman and Steven Curtis Chapman, who also have LPs dropping this week. This is another tightrope, albeit a slightly thicker one thanks to the success of acts like P.O.D.
An indie music podcast "Ears to Hear" had good words about the new album.
El Paso Times doesn't hesitate to say: Yes, Switchfoot is a Christian band, but moreso than most of the bands out there making faith-centered music, Switchfoot is also awash in talent. If you like modern rock, it's impossible to discount the music being made by these guys merely because they're religious. It's quality.
The Trades chip in with a great review. Well written.
The Calgary Sun reviews the album, giving it 3/5 stars.
As for the much-awaited JesusfreakHideout review that just got out, John DiBiase (with all due respect) seriously needs to diversify his tastes and start listening to some non-Christian music. Because O!G. is not so easily digestible if you're on a staple Christian music diet. Its full of indiepop and new wave influences, both being genres I love. Besides, his review seemed to be a mere expansion of his "early thoughts"... it doesn't sound like he gave a chance for the album to grow on him. And he called "Burn Out Bright" brit-pop?!? What kind of reviewer says that? I mean, from what angle does that song sound like brit-pop? "Yesterdays" is brit-pop, not freakin Burn Out Bright! And if he thinks Jon's repeated screaming is pretentious or whatever, he's missing the point of the song - Jon doesn't scream that cause he enjoys it, but because its the central to the message of the song. He's being sarcastic, like in "Easier Than Love". The more he screams "lets do it again!" the more he's trying to point out how stupid we are to keep doing "it" to ourselves.Labels: album reviews. |
posted by phil @ 7:44 AM  
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| 6 Comments: |
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"San Diego quartet", "California foursome"...
Uuhhh ...? *counts on fingers: jon, tim, chad, romey, drew* That's five, right?
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haha. they cant count. other than that.. sweet words, phil. thanks. i'm about to listen to the album right now.. i'm ready to be amazed.
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Hey... thanks for mentioning my show. I really appreciate it. You have a great site here - I'll definitely be checking back regularly! Have a great day...
Jill
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Let Your Love Be Strong," although lyrically a subtle acknowledgement of Christ's love giving strength, is nothing more than the most unsatisfying conclusion for a Switchfoot record.
I don't even know what to say to him...
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Hey Jill, thanks for stopping by. I quite liked your show, and will be checking back. Glad you like the site, hope to see you around!
Heather, atleast thats not bad as one journalist who called them a three-piece a while back.
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Since when is Let Your Love Be Strong "unmelodic"?!? What is with this guy?! That is the most beautiful song and he says its got no melody?!?!
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"San Diego quartet", "California foursome"...
Uuhhh ...? *counts on fingers: jon, tim, chad, romey, drew* That's five, right?