Switchfoot - Switchfoot Nothing Is Sound (12 tracks) +Album Reviews +Used CD available for Swap

Fifth Release... One Amazing Comeback

J. R. Morales | Puerto Rico | 09/14/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Heavier guitars and a more complete sound are the things that differentiate this album from their first four (Ode to Chin, New Way To be Human, Learning to Breathe, The Beautiful Letdown). Althought the group carries a distinctive sound, no two CDs are alike... and the songs are as varied as your tastes. Truly, there's something for everyone.

A much more mature sound with a familiar flavor, Switchfoot has created another unbelievable album. Frontman Jonathan Foreman's unique voice add the topping to this musical treat that will surely have you bobbing your head with the drum's beats, singing with the melodies and pondering the message.

The different songs on this album were mixed in different places, demonstrating the variety that it contains... and true to that, you can hear the diference from one song to another. The sound is unbelievable; complete, thick and full. The cruch of the guitars, the base lines, the simple, yet distictive beats give life to the entirety of the album.

To talk about each song is to take the album out of context. Each song is it's own individual creation and, in it's own way, becomes a section of the masterpiece that runs screaming towards your ears. This album most definately has some flavor of their last album, and still manages to surprise. If you liked the last album, then this is a must.

Again, Switchfoot releases another album worthy of worldwide recognition. This is one of those albums that will not leave your stereo.

**NOTE**

Keep an eye out for Switchfoot's latest release, "Oh! Gravity"... out on December 26th. Hear their new stuff on their myspace or on iTunes. Enjoy!"

Songs that rock out, are sad and melancholy, and are sincere

George Dionne | Cape Cod, MA | 10/14/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Good

"Lonely Nation" combines percussive effects and acoustic guitar picking to set its background. Vocalist Jonathan Foreman fills in the foreground with smooth flowing vocals and one heck of a catchy chorus. With the groups first single "Stars", the music changes from the previous acoustic tones to driving distorted riffs. It's on this track that you start to realize the spirituality in the group's songwriting (that's why I avoided the word `hell' earlier). "The Shadow That Proves the Sunshine" has a lot of U2 qualities to it. The instrumentation is subtle is takes second billing to the emotional and pleasing vocals. As the track progresses the band's instruments come more and more into play.

"Easier Than Love" takes a strong social stand as Foreman explains how sex is used to sell everything from cars to magazines. The song's underline meaning is that sex is less about love in our modern times. If you're someone that doesn't look for meaning and messages in your music, the guitar riffs and song arrangement is just as pleasing and memorable. A piercing riff kicks off "Politicians", a song that could make sense no matter when it was released. Switchfoot dreams of a nation without political figures pushing their own agenda. The acoustic guitar tones on the inspirational up-tempo ballad "Golden" are just as enjoyable as the multi-harmonized chorus section.

The Bad

Nothing notable

The Verdict

Although Switchfoot's music is embedded with spirituality, it doesn't matter where you stand on the subject. The group still delivers a solid album with songs that rock out, are sad and melancholy, and are sincere and loving."

Switchfoot delivers a more deeper, stronger overall album.

Timothy Kong | Albany, NY | 09/15/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Switchfoot - "Nothing Is Sound" Review

Finally, my Switchfoot CD finally came in. After pre-ordering the CD a month ago, I couldn't wait for the CD to arrive. Because I pre-ordered the CD, I got a free download of "Stars" when I made the purchase and when the CD arrived I got a cool poster (which I'm not allowed to hang at home, so I guess I'll hang it in the office). Many people have asked me how the new CD is and here is my review. Please share your thoughts.

After over 2.5 Million albums sold (and counting) for "The Beautiful Letdown," it'll be hard to match that. Their last album produced numberous radio hits: "Meant To Live," "Dare You To Move," "This Is Your Life," "Gone," "Twenty-Four," and "On Fire." The boys once again produced this album themselves with the help of Jon Fields, who produced their last album.

I'm glad that they officially added Andrew (Drew) Shirley as a member of the band. Andrew has been playing with them for a few years now and has always stood in the background and was never in the band's pictures or interviews. Now (like on Conan O'Brien) Andrew gets to be an official member of the band. For those of you who don't know Andrew, he's the former guitarist/founder of the group Altogether Separate (very underrated). Bottom line: Drew's a great guitarist.

The new CD is on a new thing called a DualDisc. What is a DualDisc? It has both a CD audio side and a DVD side. Each artists can choose want they want on their DualDisc. I was concerned because they have a disclaimer saying that the CD won't play in some CD players, well good news is that it plays in all of my CD players. The DVD side lets you listen to the album in Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound, which is cool if you have a really good home theater system (which we have). The DVD also has a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the album. It's very insightful and entertaining. I wasn't able to watch the entire thing, so it's probably a decent length. One of the highlights on the DVD is the guys performing "Stars" acoustically. I suggest you buy the DualDisc (it's only $1 more); it's worth it! There is about 30 minutes of footage and it's worth every single penny. This probably is the next phase of technology for CDs. I wouldn't be surprised if we saw this on more and more CDs.

The other night they were on Conan O'Brien and rocked out "Stars." One of their better TV performances. It looks like their batteries are recharged with this new album out. I mean, imagine playing "Dare You To Move" (on their 3rd and 4th album) almost everyday for the past 5 years! For the record, I recorded the show on a VHS.

For all you people in the NYC area, Switchfoot is coming to town - November 3rd at the Nokia Theater in Times Square. Too bad I can't make it, got class that day.

Without further ado, here are the reviews for each of the 12 songs. I'll also include my picks for the top 3 possible Singles. Because to take a quote from Marty Casey (Rockstar INXS), "The world works in Singles and not entire Albums."

1. Lonely Nation

Definitely Single #2. A great rocking song to kick off the album. This song really shows Switchfoot's overall talent.

Key line: "Desperate we are young. Separate we are one."

2. Stars

Single #1. The first single of the album which was released a few weeks ago. It is already getting serious airplay on radio and their video is getting a lot of air time as well. The musical intro to the song is longer than average, so many people use that little clip (Such as the Dan Patrick Show on ESPN Radio). You have to check out the video for this song, it's done really well. It might the only music video you see that's shot under water entirely. The song is top-notch musically and lyrically. A very catchy song that should get airplay for a long time.

Key line: "When I look at the stars I feel like myself. When I look at the stars I see someone."

3. Happy Is A Yuppie Word

Could be Single #3. Note: I first heard this song on September 26, 2004 - OVER A YEAR AGO! I was at a Switchfoot concert in New Jersey and they decided to try this song out on us. Pretty cool. The version they did in NJ was a lot more mellow and acoustic driven. The version on the CD throws in the electric guitars and adds a little more punch, which I thinks works a lot better. This song is pretty much the theme of the album - "Nothing Is Sound." This song is taken from a 1991 interview Bob Dylan gave to Rolling Stone in which Dylan was asked, on the occasion of his 50th birthday, if he was happy. Dylan replied, "Those are yuppie words, happiness and unhappiness. It's not happiness or unhappiness, it's blessed or unblessed."

Key line: "I don't believe the emptiness. I'm looking for the kingdom coming down."

4. The Shadow Proves The Sunshine

Definitely has potential to be a Single down the road. Starts off a little soft and progresses. This song showcases Jon Foreman's great voice. I love the line below, which is taken from the Psalms.

Key line: "Oh Lord why did you forsake me. Oh Lord don't be far away, away."

5. Easier Than Love

Good song. Has a good rhythm and beat to it. The message talks about how sex sells in our culture.

Key line: "Sex is currency. She sells cars, she sells magazines."

6. The Blues

Single #2. Actually, this will make it on Christian Radio before it ever makes it to Mainstream Radio. Excellent ballad, with a nice keyboard intro. Love it. Great song.

Key line: "I'm singing this one like a broken piece of glass. For broken hearts and broken noses in the back."

7. The Setting Sun

Musically, this has a very "pop" feel. Switchfoot has always prided themselves on being beyond genres. It's a nice song, nothing special or bad about it. Great lyrics. Love the line below from the Bridge.

Key line: "Let the weak say I am strong and it won't be long."

8. Politicians

Probably the "hardest" song musically of the entire album. Switchfoot has actually been performing this song for awhile live in concert. This song may be the hardest and darkest song Switchfoot has ever done. At first glance, this song may be anti-government, but it's really not.

Key line: "I pledge allegiance to a country without borders, without politicians."

9. Golden

Medium tempo song. This song is a perfect illustration/example of redemption. God redeems everything and makes it new. I love how Switchfoot throws in Spiritual Truths into their song with the line below.

Key line: "And everything will be made new again like freedom in spring."

10. The Fatal Wound

Didn't really like this song. Musically or lyrically. Has a harmonica solo, which actually fits the song (which is probably why I don't like it). Short song at 2:44.

Key line: "This is the real thing, no rubber bullets now. This is the final bow."

11. We Are One Tonight

Great guitar riff intro with the driving drumbeat in the background. Very nice intro. A great driving, fast song that has an very singable chorus. I can imagine this being an easy concert favorite. The bridge slows down with just the acoustic guitar, then picks right up again.

Key line: "We are one tonight and we're singing it out. We are one tonight and we're dreaming out loud."

12. Daisy

Typical Switchfoot, last song is a nice acoustic balled. However, 3 minutes into the song, the guys really crank up the volume throwing in the entire band and rocking hard. Like the message of the song and LOVE the quote below.

Key line: "Look up at the rain, the beautiful display of power and surrender."

Overall, I think "The Beautiful Letdown" has more radio hits, but I feel "Nothing Is Sound" provides is a better overall album, from song 1 to song 12. Buy this album, you will not be disappointed.

"

A Great Example of What Music Should Be

Rock Dilettante | USA | 09/14/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Let me just say that I loved "The Beautiful Let Down". I've heard many fans from before then, say that they sold out to get radio play, but with "Nothing Is Sound", I think we can see what they were truly trying to do. Switchfoot started as a small Christian band. Their music was classified as Christian rock, their songs were played on Christian stations and they were popular with Christian listeners. However, Switchfoot is not the type of band that does music for music's sake or just for themselves. They have goals; they have a purpose. Being heard by Christian listeners was great, but they wanted to reach out and be heard by the ones who needed it: by the lonely, depressed, suicidal teenagers who weren't exactly being helped by the likes of Green Day and Britney Spears.

"The Beautiful Letdown" now seems like a watered down version of Switchfoot, but that's okay. It did exactly what it was supposed to do. It put them on the map and got them a much larger and more diverse audience. I certainly would never have heard of them if they hadn't "sold out". Now that they have a strong fan base and guaranteed airplay because of past hits, they are making bolder statements in their music. Their music is somewhat darker and much more honest. No more broad, vague topics, they're taking a stand. "Easier Than Love" is a great example. It talks about how much sex has taken over industry. This is certainly not something that has never been said before, but never before by someone in their position of power and influence. I would be extremely impressed if they released that as a single, but I can't say I blame them if they don't.

I never thought I'd find a band that even comes close to U2, but I think that Switchfoot is on the right track to becoming just that awesome and huge. I even hear that Jon is a huge fan of Bono.

All in all, I think that modern bands should be more like Switchfoot in that their music is an attempt to make a positive difference in the world, not just pay the ridiculously outlandish bills, and rather than putting more eyeliner in the world, they're putting more smiles in it. Their music is truly an experience.

P.S. I got the dual disc version and I'm importing it onto iTunes right now."

Mind blowing. Searching, honest, deep. Each time you listen

QOMT | California | 10/25/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wow! That was the first word that came to my mind when I excitedly put this in my CD player and Lonely Nation came rocking out of the speakers. From production, to sound, to music, to lyrics, this album hits a solid home run. I can NOT get this out of my CD player. Even when I am listening to other CD's I find myself thinking of this one. This will be an album that will stick in your mind for a long time.

Here is a track by track review of the album:

Lonely Nation - 5 out of 5

I'll have to say the first 5 seconds are my favorite part of the song. It starts out with faint, echoing guitar music then soars into a pounding beat while Jon's vocals in the background add a haunting quality. The lyrics are deep and thought provoking. A solid rock song that is great to drive to. (Especially if you are all alone in the car and can sing at the top of your lungs).

Favorite Line: "She turns like the ocean, she tells no emotion, she's been gunning down the fight, she's just reminiscing, blood, sweat and one thing's missing, she's been breaking up inside."

Stars - 5 out of 5

I love the opening to this song. Don't be surprised if you suddenly find yourself head banging to the beat. This was the first release from the album that's been made into a music video (the music video was shot almost completely underwater!). Catchy tune and insightful lyrics. It makes you appreciate the beauty and simplicity of the night sky.

Favorite Line: "When I look at the stars I see someone else, when I look at the stars I feel like myself"

Also: "Stars looking at a planet watching entropy and pain, and maybe start to wonder how the chaos in our lives could pass as sane"

Happy Is A Yuppie Word - 4 ½ out of 5

Once again, the opening is terrific. I love it. I sometimes will just repeat the first 20 seconds five or six times. Very enjoyable song. The chorus is fantastic. The only thing that stopped me from giving it a solid 5 would be the first verse falls just a little flat. Other than that, it is great. This is one of the songs where the more you play it, the more you like it.

Favorite Line: "I'm running down a life that won't cash out, everything fails, everything runs it's course, a time and a place for all this love and war"

The Shadow Proves the Sunshine - 5 out of 5

A beautiful, deceivingly simply song. Jon's voice will send chill's up your spine. The fact that he sang it into the piano gives it such a unique feel. The lyrics may be a bit more complex then most, and that is what makes it so deep. The first verse is haunting and melodic. This is the perfect song to play when you are feeling down. About ¾ of the way through the song the band cranks it up a bit more, which is perfect because this song is just begging to be sung with passion and feeling. I'd love to see them perform this song live.

Favorite Line: "Crooked soul trying to stay up straight, dry eyes in the pouring rain, the shadow proves the sunshine"

Easier Than Love - 5 out of 5

This has been one of my favorites ever since I first heard the album. I love how true and accurate the lyrics are and it is great to hear such an honest song. The line "Everyone's been scared to death of dying here alone" will hit most people (myself included) RIGHT between the eyes. It is a great rock song, but with profound lyrics. I also like how near the end of the song they crank up the music and Jon screams out "Sex is easier then love" before going back into the chorus. Incredible.

Favorite Line: "Everyone's been scared to death of dying here alone, she is easier then love, its easier then life. It's easier to fake it, smile, and bribe. It's easier to leave, it's easier to lie. It's harder to face ourselves at night, feeling alone, what have we done, what is the monster we've become?"

The Blues - 5 out of 5

This song is so incredible it is hard to find the words to describe it. It is sung with such feeling and passion it blows the mind. The lyrics are reflective and make you pull into yourself and REALLY think. The way Jon sings these lines: "Is this what they call freedom, is this what you call pain, is this what the call discontented fame" will have you skipping your CD back to hear him sing that repeatedly. This is not a cliché Christian song. This is an honest, soul-searching song by someone who questions, feels, and thinks just like us. It is powerful and renders the listener speechless. Don't be surprised if you have to pull over or stop whatever you are doing to just sit and listen.

Favorite Line: "Does justice ever find you? Do the wicked never lose? Is there any other honest song to sing besides these blues? And nothing is okay until the world caves in, until the world caves in"

The Setting Sun - 5 out of 5

I love this song. The first verse is so unique and interesting. I love the tune and words. Everyone will be able to relate to the lyrics.

I really like how they start out the song. The first few seconds will make you think this will be a song like "Adding to the Noise" (The Beautiful Letdown) but then it winds down into the first verse, which shows a deeper idea. This song will have you dancing in your seat.

Favorite Line: "They're selling shares of me again, I'm not buying it, I'm not buying it"

Politicians - 5 out of 5

One of the harder rock songs on the album, this will have you pounding on the desk, steering wheel, chair, your leg what ever! This song is awesome, has a good vibe and guitar riffs. The chorus may seem like it's bashing politicians, but it's really not. Like "Easier then Love" it is an honest song that many bands wouldn't have the nerve to attempt (how many Christian artists do you know of that will even have the word "sex" in their songs?). This is a perfect song to play when you just feel like rocking out to some solid, hard-hitting music.

Favorite Line: "We are broken, we are bitter, we're the problem, we're the politician, watching for our sky to get torn apart"

Golden - 4 ½ out of 5

Though this song is very good, it is not one of my favorite on the album. But that aside, it is an excellent song with terrific lyrics. The words are very uplifting and encouraging. It is great to have a song written about how you feel, then, in the chorus, encourage you to hold on. Beautiful melody. A perfect song for some of their mellower listeners. The ending to the song will stay in your mind for a long time.

Favorite Line: "The earth spins the moon goes round, the green comes from the frozen ground, and everything will be made new again like freedom in spring."

The Fatal Wound - 5 out of 5

Near the end of the album, and placed between the peppier "Golden" and rockier "We Are One Tonight" this song might be easy to miss and forget about. BUT DON'T LET THAT HAPPEN! Go back and listen to this song by itself. This is more "depressing" then some of their songs and it is a great sound for them. Jon's voice is perfect for it. One of my favorite parts is the harmonica solo after the chorus. (Jon actually wrote this song JUST so he could play the harmonica in concert). I think they are the only band around that can make a harmonica sound cool and not bring to mind a picture of cowboys sitting around a fire. The lyrics are a good deal darker then some of their stuff, but that just adds to the quality and poignant feel of the song. Another song that gets better with each listen.

Favorite Line: "I am divided, I am the razor edge, there is no easy now, Son of sorrow, starring down forever with an aching view"

We Are One Tonight - 5 out of 5

Excellent! Soft rock with an upbeat sound. I predict this will be a concert favorite. The more insightful lyrics make a terrific contradiction with the upbeat sound of the song. Jon does an excellent job on the chorus. Another cool part is about ¾ of the way through the song, Jon sings out "Let's slow the evening down, slow it down" and the tempo of the song slows as well. Very creative. Then as he sings the chorus, the band cranks it back up to the rock. Outstanding song that very nicely sums up the message of the band. (Also turn up the sound near the end to hear someone singing "So fight it out, so fight it out." That adds a great final touch.)

Favorite Line: "Though the world is flawed these scars will heal."

Daisy - 5 out of 5

Beautiful lyrics. This is Jon's wife's' favorite song on the album and it is terrific. The chorus is amazing. This song starts out slow and the music is soothing. The words are great. The parts about the rain will make you reread the lyrics and think twice. Another song that Jon sings with real and honest passion. A surprise will come about ¾ of the way through where the whole band joins in to crank it up a notch, which is a creative way to end a slower song. If you don't like this song at first, DON'T skip it, keep listening, trust me, it will grow on you!

Favorite Line: "Rain, another rainy day, comes up from the ocean, to give herself away. She comes down easy on rich and debt the same when she gives herself away."

Final Thoughts: This is the best album that I have heard in three years. You will not be sorry of you buy it! Especially if you get the dual disc, (only a buck more!) the behind the scenes stuff is very interesting, with some neat concert footage and backstage work. It is awesome to see all that went into creating the album. "Nothing Is Sound" will be a CD that you can play anywhere and people will like at LEAST ONE of the songs. Worth every penny. To sum it up: inspiring, creative, deep, and it will touch your soul."

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