Customer Reviews

The Beautiful Letdown

5 star:		(310)
4 star:		(57)
3 star:		(17)
2 star:		(17)
1 star:		(19)

 

 

Im not a big fan of Christian music, but i really like this band for some reason. Their music isnt cheesy like some, the lyrics really speak to you.

1. Meant To Live- first single, great guitars riffs, and the lyrics really hit home

2. This If Your Life- This is my favorite song on here. Its got this electronic beat thing going on in it, The lyrics and the beat of the song just fit so well together. "This is your life, are you who you wanna be?"

3. More than fine-- Really good beat, the first lyric to the song really grabs your attention "When i wake in the morning, i want to blow into pieces, i want more than just ok."

4. Ammunition-- a very sad song, but makes a good point

5. Dare You To Move-- inspiring song, also another one of my favorites on the album "I dare you to move, i dare you to move yourself off of the floor."

6. Redemption-- Overall good pop song, has a catchy beat to it the more you listen to it

7. Beautiful Letdown-- This song is really good, i can totally relate to the lyrics

8. Gone-- very catchy! I love it! The lyrics are great, and it really makes you think. Probably one of the best songs on the album, you'll like it. "Do we know what life is outside of your covient lexus cages?"

9. On Fire-- more of a softer song, really pretty..one of the more christian songs on the cd

10. Adding To The Noise-- This song is so cool! "If were adding to the noise, turn off the song." I just found that awesome. What a neat idea for a song! Anyway, you have to hear it. I liked this song right away.

11. Twenty Four-- terrific lyrics, so much emotion in his voice and a very beautiful softer ballad

Overall, i think more bands out there should be like this, write lyrics that inspire you. Its hard not to be effected by this album. I really encourage you to buy this cd

Switchfoot's latest album "The Beautiful Letdown" has proven to be far from one. This is their most polished sounding album to date along with their usual catchy hooks, sizzling guitars, and heartfelt medleys. Switchfoot has switched over to Columbia records on "The Beautiful Letdown", but they have stayed true to their own style and lyrics. When Switchfoot's first CD came out I was hooked, by the second I wanted a guitar to play along, third I had a guitar, and now for their fourth I can play along. That's just what they do to you! Jon Foreman is lead vocals, lead guitarist, and writes all of the lyrics. He won the 2001 Les Paul Horizon Award for up and coming guitarist. Tim Foreman plays bass, does BGV's, and also co-wrote three of the songs on the disk. Chad Butler plays drums. Jerome Fontamillas is "the new guy" on the disk playing piano, keys, and guitar.
Track List:
1.) Meant To Live ~ Starts off the new disk with a boom. "We were meant to live for so much more. Have we lost ourselves?"

2.) This Is Your Life ~ You'll love Tim's bass on this one. It pushes us into a contemplative thought on our own position in life. "This is your life. Are you who you want to be?"

3.) More Than Fine ~ Snaps us back into happy mood with it's flowing pop/rock style and light hearted feel. "More then fine, more then just okay."

4.) Ammunition ~ Back to the rock! This tune really puts you in your place. "We've been blowing up. We're the issue. We're ammunition."

5.) Dare You To Move ~ Don't even think about saying, "Why is this same song on here again!". They have completely re-tracked it. Most people I talk to agree it's better than the original. "I dare you to move like today never happened before." There are no excuses after listening to this song.

6.) Redemption ~ "I've got my hand in redemption's side whose scars are bigger than these doubts of mine. I'll fit all of these monstrosities inside and I'll come alive." Great tune.

7.) The Beautiful Letdown ~ A truly beautiful letdown to learn from this. "In a world full of bitter pain and bitter doubt I was trying so hard to fit in, until I found out I don't belong here. I will carry a cross and a song where I don`t belong." Again with Tim's great bass! Jon originally wrote this as a gospel tune.

8.) Gone ~ What a fun song! From the painful truth to comedy, they even slip in a reference from their first album "The Legend Of Chin". "She said he said live like no tomorrow. Every moment that we borrow brings us closer to a God who's not short of cash."

9.) On Fire ~ Here's where the piano comes in and makes us all cry. "You are the hope I have for change. You are the only chance I'll take. And I'm on fire when you're near me. . .I'm on fire burning at these mysteries."

10.) Adding To The Noise ~ It speaks for itself. "If we're adding to the noise turn off this song."

11.) Twenty-Four ~ In my book this is one of the most beautifully written songs I've heard since, well, since they made their last album "Learning To Breathe". "And I'm not who I thought I was twenty-four hours ago. Still I'm singing, Spirit take me up in arms with you." What a beautiful way to end a beautiful CD.

I would highly recommend you check out all three of their previous albums in addition to this one: The Legend Of Chin, New Way To Be Human, and Learning To Breathe.

Modern rock music has evolved over the past decade into a dark and depressed atmosphere. Most songs we hear on the radio are filled with messaged of despair and pain. However, when I listen to Switchfoot's new album, "The Beautiful Letdown", I find hope rather sorrow. This album beckons the listener to examine his or her life and strive to overcome mediocrity.
The title of this album could easily be "Carpe Diem." There's a sieze the day attitude in several songs, including my favorite: "This is Your Life." "Meant to Live" and "Ammunition" give you edgy guitar-guitar driven rock at it's finest while "On Fire" and "24" calmly drive a sense of passion. "Dare You to Move" is in my mind one of the greatest songs written in the past ten years. "Gone" is such a fun song I just keep listening to it over and over.
In a world of copycat music and depressing lyrics, Switchfoot have released an original, powerful, thoughtful, and outstanding album that truly deserves your time and money.

Wow. I think that's the best way to describe this album. From Jon Foreman's intuitive lyrics to the catchy rhythms and rockin guitars, this album will find you hitting the repeat button over and over again.

1) Meant to Live - The first radio release from the album, I think it's one of the best tracks on here. It starts off with an awesome guitar echo, and just goes up from there.

2) This is Your Life - A deep, prodding song into who we are and who we want to be. Musically, a nice almost ballad, but some of the other tracks are better.

3) More than Fine - A nice acoustic-fronted song about wanting to be more than just OK in life, more than fine - which seems to be a recurring theme in this album.

4) Ammunition - A look into our own lives, acknowledging that we're the issue, we're the fuse and ammunition, not our politicians, not what we've been through, etc. A great upbeat song.

5) Dare You to Move - One of, if not the best, tracks on here. Again, an acoustic-led almost ballad, with Foreman's vocals soaring, that deals with not letting ourselves 'stay on the floor', 'I dare you to move, dare you to move, I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor, I dare you to move, dare you to move, like today never happened, today never happened before.'

6) Redemption - A moving call to redemption. A song about finding hope, finding freedom. Musically an upbeat song, great drumming, with Foreman's vocals completing the set.

7) Beautiful Letdown - The album's title track has you wondering where the song will go next. It starts off with the bass and drums leading the way, and breaks into the electric later. Asking to be let down, to be built up again. A reminder that we don't belong on this earth. 'I will carry a cross and song where I don't belong'

8) Gone - This song is so awesome, just overall. Musically just fantastic - lyrically discussing how so many people pretend like they're immortal, and don't realize how 'today will soon be gone, like yesterday is gone, like history is gone, just try and prove me wrong, and pretend like you're immortal.' Another awesome song, especially lyrically - one of the best on the album.

9) On Fire - An encouraging piano-based ballad. Talking about hope, change, and being on fire when coming close to God.

10) Adding to the Noise - Talking about our messed up society, and how 'if we're adding to the noise, turn off this song' One of the best songs, musically, on here. Jon's vocals definitely make this song what it is.

11) Twenty Four - My absolute favorite track. A plea to God, discovering change within. Discovering how we're so quick to excuse ourselves, while still determining never to give up. A beautiful acoustic 6/8 ballad.

All in all, there isn't a single bad track on here. Musically, Switchfoot is like nothing else. The lyrics will blow you away, and will leave you pondering about change that needs to happen within.

This CD is wonderful. The Beautiful Letdown seems to capture the energy of a live show more than any other Switchfoot album. I will go on a quick rundown song-by-song:

1) Meant to Live. Sweet song with sweet electric guitar rock. "We were meant to live for so much more, have we lost ourselves?"
2) This Is Your Life. "This is your life, are you who you want to be?" Something to think about.
3) More Than Fine. This track was surprisingly amazing. It starts out with acoustic guitars and moves a little more to electric into the song. We won't just settle for fine, we want to be "more than fine, more than just OK."
4) Ammunition. This is a cool upbeat rock song, but it's not as refined as the other songs. "We're ammunition."
5) I Dare You To Move. A remixed version of one of the songs on Switchfoot's Learning to Breathe. It sounds even better than the original. "What happens next? I dare you to move!"
6) Redemption. Another surprise! This song is quick, smooth, and deep.
7) The Beautiful Letdown. The slowest song yet on the album. Deep lyrics. "It was a beautiful letdown, when I crashed and burned, when I found myself alone unknown and hurt". Suffering may not be fun, but it transforms us and makes us more perfect.
8) Gone. A fun rocker that tells us of the shortness of life. Switchfoot sounds a lot like Third Eye Blind to me in this song. "Gone, like Frank Sinatra. Like Elvis and his mom. Like Al Pacino's cash, nothing lasts in this life." :-)
9) On Fire. A great song with piano, a love song to God. "I'm on fire when you're near me."
10) Adding to the Noise. "We're adding to the noise, turn off this song!" Sweet.
11) Twenty-Four. This is my favorite song on the album. Slow, powerful, prayer from the heart. "I am a second man now, and you're raising the dead in me."

The underlying theme in this album is, to me, purification. The album is deep, powerful, fun, and should have an appeal to all sorts of music lovers.

This CD is by far one of my favorite. Although I don't listen to Christian music (I didn't even know they were Christian until a month ago), this music doesn't remotely resemble what most people consider 'Jesus music'. Great guitar playing, uplifting lyrics. I love to listen to this when I'm hanging out online, driving around, shopping; I even have my cell programmed to receive Switchfoot updates. Usually my mom can't stand the music I listen to (rap-Lean Back, anyone?; and rock-Linkin Park), but I played this on our 6 hr drive to California and even she loved it. Now my next adventure is seeing them play live!

ALL of the songs on this CD are great-this is not a CD you buy for just one song. My favorite song (always on repeat) is Dare You to Move. I really feel like filling out college applications and getting a move on with my life after listening to that song-and for this procrastinator, that's saying a lot. Gone, Adding to the Noise and This is Your Life round out the top four best songs on this CD.

I have been a Switchfoot fan for several years and can honestly say this is their best album yet. The band's music has matured with each new album, and "The Beautiful Letdown" is a perfect example of all their hardwork over the past several years. Singer/songwriter/guitarist Jon Foreman is known for his deep lyrics backed with catchy and moving tunes. Brother Tim Foreman on bass, Chad Butler on drums, and newest member Jerome Fontamillas on keys and guitar make up the rest of the band. Here's a quick overview of each song:

1). Meant to Live: One of the harder songs on the album with a very catchy intro.

2). This is Your Life: Asks the listener if they are happy with who they are and what they have become. Has an awesome bit at the end where Jon actually sings "who you wannabe" into the guitar (saw this in concert) which makes it come out really cool sounding through the amp.

3). More Than Fine: One of those songs that is hard to place into a genre...very unique Switchfoot.

4). Ammunition: The hardest song on the album. Basically talking about this generation of people and how we try to blame our problems on something else rather than accept that we've done something wrong.

5). Dare You to Move: This song was on Switchfoot's previous album, "Learning to Breathe", but the band has brought it back and revamped the whole thing, making it sound more like the version they do in concert. Very powerful ending with Jon singing at the top of his lungs which has brought me to tears listening.

6). Redemption: Kind of pop-ish..."I've got my hands, on redemptions side, who's scars are bigger than, these doubts of mine..."

7). Beautiful Letdown: One of my personal favorites on the album. Absolutely gorgeous song.

8). Gone: Definitely one of Switchfoot's most pop-ish, but in a good way!! VERY catchy song that I can put on repeat and listen to nonstop. Still carries the thought provoking lyrics which tell you to not waste your time since we don't live forever.

9). On Fire: Slower song, but very beautiful, as all of Switchfoot's slow ones are.

10). Adding to the Noise: Song that dares the listener to actually turn off the music if there is too much going on in their lives and the music is just "adding to the noise".

11). 24: Written by Jon on his 24th birthday. Perfect way to close the album, and is one of the favorites of Switchfoot fans.

Hope the review has been helpful. I promise, you won't be disappointed by this album!

Has Switchfoot lost themselves in an effort to reach a larger audience? As the words say in the first track: "have we lost ourselves?"

The answer is found in the same song..."We want more than this world's got to offer...everything inside screams for a second life." Switchfoot is out to make their mark--uncompromising, real, and straight ahead. This albums finds them doing what they've always done, only bigger and better and bolder.

I first saw Switchfoot in concert years ago when they were teens with an abundance of energy. They rocked with a raw, accessible sound that still felt honest via the delivery of the vocals. Now, three albums later, Switchfoot proves they are as honest as ever, but refusing to settle into ruts or hold back.

"The Beautiful Letdown" starts with catchy guitar rhythms on "Meant to Live" and concludes with the beautiful letdown of "Twenty-Four." The album touches on lots of issues, moves headlong into the questions of life, and comes out full of hope amidst the chaos. Instead of fitting into the Christian music box, Switchfoot stretches musical and lyrical boundaries. Jon Foreman broadens his vocals, sounding like a plaintive Sting at times. Other times, the band sounds like a mix between Blink 182, Everclear, and Coldplay. Sort of.

To categorize Switchfoot is to look like a fool. Labels don't fit on these guys because they are aiming for things larger than radio friendly songs and demographic sales. They are aiming for something that moves us. They're even willing to tell us "if we're adding to the noise, turn off this song" (from "Adding to the Noise" track 10).

Turn them off? I might just take them up on it; I might turn them off.

But not for long!

This is definitally Switchfoot's best album! If you've never heard Switchfoot, they are unlike any other group. The Beautiful Letdown is definitally their most original, creative, and diverse cd yet. With the addition of a new band member, they experimented with all sorts of new sounds. From ballads like "On Fire" and "24" to heavier rock songs like "Meant to Live" and "This is Your Life", this is without a doubt an amazing album.

Not only is it musicially WONDERFUL, but the lyrics are unbelievable. Jon has been very acclaimed for his song writing skills, and in my opinion he's one of the best in music today. Whether you're new to Switchfoot or a veteran Switchfoot fan, pick this cd up!!!!!! You WON'T regret it!!!!!

After being a Switchfoot fan for four or five years now, I realize that they are becoming more secular and mainstream. Now, I'm happy for their success, but at the same time I miss the good ol' days when I was one of a few who knew of them. Anyways, I am glad that this message that they have in their songs is reaching a new audience that may come to know God. Some have complained that they bought it for "Meant to Live" and the rest was crap because it's Christian. Well, what else did you expect? I mean, they are a Christian band afterall. I think that "New Way to be Human" is by far their best CD to date.

This is a very good CD. However, there is a song or two that I skip. My favorites are: "Dare You to Move" (the redone version, which is only different at the end, but either version is amazing), "Gone" (great message in the lyrics about not being materialistic, rather focus on what's important in life--God), and "Twenty Four" (speechless...). While this CD is great, I highly reccommend their other CD's as well (mainly "New Way to be Human" and "Learning to Breathe").

Other great Christian bands (if you're looking): Relient K, David Crowder Band, O.C. Supertones, Paul Colman Trio and Skillet.