With "Oh! Gravity,” there seems little doubt that San Diego's Switchfoot is feeling the itch to unlock its ambitions — the cover of the group's sixth disc is a not-so-subtle goof on The Beatles' "Revolver.” But inside, this is still a group perched on the fence.

Are they Christian rock or secular? Is Switchfoot moving forward artistically or doing doughnuts in the arena-rock parking lot?

Producer Tim Palmer helps brothers Jonathan and Tim Foreman incorporate Middle Eastern chords and atmospherics into the pummel-rock of "Dirty Second Hands” and deliver a strong chamber-pop track, "Faust, Midas and Myself.” But every forward move is nullified by a backward step such as "Head Over Heels (In This Life),” which bangs along like a Nickelback castoff.

Unlike Jars of Clay, which flirted with crossover success before doubling back and concentrating on overtly devotional lyrics, Switchfoot's paeans to God remain subtle — a trend that has continued since 2000's "Learning to Breathe.” As for their music, the Foreman brothers find room for subtlety and nuance on the country-rocking "4:12” and smooth ballad "Yesterdays,” but "Oh! Gravity” is only a tentative reach for a band seemingly torn between easy mass acceptance and a way forward out of the mainstream.

— George Lang

SWITCHFOOT
Oh! Gravity
Sony
"Over the past six albums, this covertly Christian band has replaced its cautionary tales and infectious guitar pop for something more substantial and haunted, adding a tougher strain into their sometimes poppy mix. Blame it on new producers Tim Palmer (Pearl Jam, Ozzy Osbourne) and Steve Lillywhite (U2, Phish), or on former touring guitarist Drew Shirley's increased role. Whatever it is, Switchfoot has added enough gritty, anxious guitar runs, moody synths and restless soloing that recalls Badmotorfinger-era Kim Thayil to make this a compelling listen."
-- Jaan Uhelszki

Labels: album reviews.