nice. I could stare at that thing for hours. I'll try and see if I can come up with anything..

 

In Panel 5, you can see all the song titles written in the artwork. I think it is awesome and it was fun finding all the songs.

 

my observation is on panel five, all the hanging eyes underneath "be strong" - I find it symbolic of the pressures and scrutiny I feel. Like eyes are always on me, waiting for me to fail, to judge, to criticize. I sometimes want the approval of these eyes, but I also think they are there so I can learn that I do not need to pay so much attention to them.

 

I don't know that I have a favorite panel because all are amazing. But, with all of them together it seems like Switchfoot is trying to make us see that we are all connected. Everyone and everything including animals and words are. And whatever we do, or animals do, or our words do everything will feel the repercussions.

Also, something I noticed in the 5th panel at the bottom right hand corner are the words "enter here". That is also something to think about.

 

Panel 2. The rabid monkey intimidated me into choosing it.

 

It's pretty weird. Panel five just looks the most... unpredictable. That's something I think portrays Switchfoot's vision most; it reflects their creativity the most.

The kid in the picture could be the dreamer... who's been talking in his sleep...? LOL

 

"enter here" haha

CRAZY.

 

aha, I found Joshua's signature in panel 1.

 

I see Panel 5 is the popular favourite. Those are some great observations, all round, guys. *applause* I'm gonna hate to have to pick a response... darn, I don't even know if I can pick one. Keep em coming, though.

 

And Kasey, you're definitely on to something. That's what I first thought when I saw the art - the connectedness of everything in life. And don't you guys think the artwork reeks of death with its lack of colour, skulls, and deformed shapes? Its ironically chock full of living creatures, yet is strangely empty and dead and waiting to come alive. Reflects the album's message?

 

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This piece of album artwork is literally a piece of artwork! The whole thing is so intricately put together. It has a Picasso element to it because of the faces, you know, and how one can go into two, but at the same time very original. Mr. Levy did an amazing job.

I think a lot of the drawings here might’ve been inspired by a previous trip to Africa? There seems to be a lot of exotic looking creatures and people.. There are quite a few pictures of boats and many visual references to water/rain or ocean.. which is obvious because these guys are surfers. And there even happens to be a surfboard!.. in a huge fishes mouth? I think that piece might’ve been for laughs. I love it. Oh.. and what about the crowns? I see 2 in panel 1 and 1 in panel 5. Not sure what significance those can have. I also see strikes of lightening and suns. Bird’s. There are birds everywhere. Like in the 3rd panel, right above that angel. I think it’s an angel. It has wings. And that cute little bird on the far bottom right of panel 2 that’s saying “Oh!” hehe. There are a bunch of random hearts everywhere too. Which can only stand for one thing: love. I especially like the more real looking hearts with the wings. I like to see those as a symbol for life and existence.. and maybe even something like hope or a dream one may have. And you notice how they’re not fully exposed.. they’re hidden.. but why? I notice all the eyes.. Some of the faces seem to have that Egyptian thing going on where no matter what position the head is turned the eyes are looking forward, looking at you.. some even have tears.. symbolizing pain maybe? I can also see pictures of children.. the little girl in the 5th panel looks like she’s holding a skull.. interesting. Oh, and that’s the other thing I was going to mention.. the skulls everywhere. Most noticeable around Jon’s neck. Isn’t the skull the universal symbol for death?

Then there are the more obvious parts.. that the album’s playlist is written in the 5th panel. The band members have their faces drawn in the 6th panel (all more real and human looking compared to the other one’s drawn). There’s an umbrella and a clock. Oh.. this is the funniest thing I noticed.. I swear there are drawings of hambugers in this. They don’t look like anything else! lol! I cant be the only one who sees that.. ;D

I love looking at this. I did for my entire World Literature period. The longer I look the more I find. It’s just chaotic. It’s so completely insane it makes my brain hurt.. in a good way. If I were to give it a theme I might say war. A war within ourselves (spiritual), with other people.. I think a lot of what you see in this picture has a lot to do with the way you feel when you’re listening to the album. All the imagery, too. To me, its like being taken on a journey. And on the way you see the darkness, the beautiful, and the parts you cant explain, the unknown.. which is where questions begin to form.. I don’t think I would’ve looked that much into it if Phil hadn’t suggested to. I’m glad I did though.. even though a lot of what I just said might not make any sense to anyone. which is fine with me. I’m not one of the greatest thinkers OR writers known to man.. I don’t have anything to prove ;P

Well. That’s pretty much all I can squeeze out from my brain for today.. hope you enjoyed.

A lot of the imagery on the album are objects and symbols
that I have used for sometime now... boats, birds, skulls, water, etc.
These can sometimes be interpreted in a number of ways-
such as the skulls may really be rocks on the beach getting kicked up by waves.
A lot of objects, characters and creatures make up other objects and symbols
when you start to really look at the big picture.
It means that we are all one- the world is one together...
How making a big mistake in life can trigger an instant-karmic avalanche,
so keep it cool.

Nice, Levy. I like that.

 

Okay...it's hard to pick a favorite..but, I'm going to go ahead with number 3...

The first thing that stood out was the umbrella; it's not working, the skulls and rain are coming out underneath it; maybe even from it. We can't use an umbrella to escape the pain of life...there's pain in everything in this life; love or hate, peace or war. And maybe us trying avoid that pain, actually causes more...like the rain and skulls actually coming from the umbrella.

The angel-like thing...it's connected and morphed with everything around it; like all of the other art is...maybe implying a spiritually side of life directly connected with the physical.

The large face is crying...but, it doesn't really look sad. Lack of real feelings or emotions?

And in the top right-hand corner there's a hand-type thing (it has claws...) with two things on its finger, and they appear to be shiny..."bling" perhaps? :)

Looking at this art; it looks like life...cruel (Mouths with sharp teeth, snakes and other such beasts), painful (skulls, tears), chaotic...but...there's still beauty (hearts, angel-like things, and beauty that comes from the connectedness of everything, which implies something larger in-control, e.i. God)

It's amazing how much all the art relates to the music, even though it just looks like a mess of a scribbles at first glance (which is probably how my life looks at first glance)...I guess that's because Switchfoot's music looks (or sounds, I guess) a lot like life as well, especially this album; a little chaotic, a little messy, but connected and intricate...and wonderful. :)