Customer Reviews

New Way to Be Human

5 star:		(61)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Who is the best-known alternative Christian band? Good question, I'd probably say DC Talk or Jars of Clay. Who is the best Christian band? Even better question, and I would have to vote for Switchfoot.

Switchfoot's first CD, "The Legend of Chin," is hard to beat. Surprisingly deep lyrics and a very mature sound made it an impressive debut. Their sophomore effort, "New Way to Be Human," definitely kept up the momentum.

Holding on to some of the style that made their first album great, Switchfoot adds a good deal of variety with this new album, showing that they can still write the solemn tear-jerkers like "Don't Be There" (from the first CD), with songs like "Let That Be Enough." They also show how they can still jam with tunes like "Company Car" and "Something More (Augustine's Confession)."

Bottom line - this is an awesome CD. Anyone should enjoy this music, not just Christian alternative fans.

By far my favorite band EVER!!!! This cd explodes with energy, talent, and most importantly, awesome messages about God! Its hard to get that mix but these guys are an awesome example of it. I saw them in concert yesterday and they are even better live if you can believe it! If you are looking for an awesome sound combined with good God messages this cd is it! Their first cd is awesome too so get that one too!

I know that you're going to read the rest of these reviews and just say that someone is just tipping their hats to a Christian band that manges to sound "not bad", but let me assure you, these guys would rock anyone's house. The artful, firework-like build and burst of "Incomplete" is evidence enough that these men mean business, both with God and with us. Then listen to "Company Car", and hear how bad selling out is from any perspective. Speaking of "Company Car", is it just me, or is that little "hey!" at the end of the first chorus perfect, or what? I digress. This is a mature album that glides through EVERY song accomplishing it's mission: revealing a Christian perspective in an ordinarily extraordinary life that Christ brings. Yet another solid example of Christians outdoing their secular counterparts (Third Day, Audio Adrenaline, Grits, Caedmon's Call, etc.) without selling their message down the river (are we listening, Amy?) Go and buy this now, it's worth it (especially at Amazon's prices).

Switchfoot is clearly one of the best Christian bands out there, and even one of the best bands overall. The sound of this band is so modern, catchy, and pleasing that you can listen to this CD over and over! Both this CD and the latest album, Learning to Breathe, are excellent works and I would recommend both of them. The first CD, Legend of Chin, has a bit of a different sound (more pop than rock) but it is still a good album. Switchfoot's lyrics are also excellent. They are very well-written and totally Christ-focused, but in a way that is more thought-provoking that preachy. Jon Foreman is an incredible vocalist as well as an incredible guitarist, and his brother Tim is a great backup as the band's bassist. Chad Butler is also a great drummer. Go and buy this CD and Learning to Breathe, because they are truly two of the best Christian CD's made in recent history! No filler, all completely good songs!!

Three great albums later, Switchfoot has yet to eclipse their Sophomore release "New Way to be Human." This is the album that first started raising eyebrows in the music world and rightfully so.

The CD kicks off with "New Way to be Human" a very solid, though explicity Christian, rock tune. If the Christian thing is a turnoff to you, fear not--I am an athiest myself and I think Switchfoot's handling of Christian messages is tasteful, thoughful, and not at all preachy. This is a big contrast to overbearing Christian bands like "DC Talk."

The album continues without lag from beginning to end in such a way that it is hard to distinguish the highlights. The entire album is the highlight! Don't worry about skipping through the album or downloading the wrong songs on ITunes. Just sit back and let it work.

Apart from being the best Switchfoot album, "New..." is probably the most diverse. Track 4 "Company Car," a mockery of material superficiality, comes close to being ska. The next song, "Let that be enough" is one of the rock balad heard on "A Walk to Remember." A few tracks later, they really get experimental in "Amy's Song."

If you get one Switchfoot album, make this the one.

I've haven't met anyone who didn't like Switchfoot! Chances are you'll love them too! This album is so deep, when you want to listen to the lyrics. Yet, it is so uplifting and upbeat when you've had a hard day and need a little "lift-me-up." They are the coolest band around! Those of you who think that christian music isn't cool...you haven't heard Switchfoot. They are totally ahead of their time! Enjoy this cd!

This sophmore release by Switchfoot hits ALL the right notes and stands as one of the more outstanding modern rock releases in recent memory. This three-man band consists of Chad Butler on drums, Jonathan Foreman providing lead vocals and guitar, and Jonathan's younger brother Tim Foreman on bass and back-up vocals. Jonathan Foreman's lead vocals are excellent. He never hits a bad note, and his somewhat gentle and wistful voice reveals its power in the more louder, upbeat songs, while dreaming up a wonderful poignancy in the slower, more gentler songs. The background vocals are perfect- Great harmonies, never overdone, never overwhelming. Musically, Switchfoot excels in some really original and high-quality song-writing. Very few modern rock bands excel at composing quality faster-driven and slower-tempo songs, but Switchfoot is right there on top. Not only are the melodies strong and catchy, but there are many moments when the songs take you by surprise at where they go but at the same time make complete melodic sense. The depth of the song-writing can be seen in the excellent Sooner Or Later. The distored trumpet in the beginning of the song completely fits the mood of the opening chord sequences and the 'let-it-loose' bridge really makes an strong impact. Another example of the smart song-writing is in the song, Only Hope. The chorus of this song could have been more inventive (melodically) but that would be nitpicking. The strength of this song is in the bridge, as Foreman sings, "At the top of my lungs, I'm giving it back". Very rarely do good lyrics have a melody to dance so perfectly with, but in this phrase, Jonathan Foreman has composed words that are so perfectly expressed in melody, it's eye-opening. The lyrics hit the same level of high-quality that the music does. This quality is evident throughout the whole album, from the creativity of the title track, New Way To Be Human (a great modern rock ode to Christ), to the sharp Company Car to the completely simple and honest Let That Be Enough. Witness the cleverness and quality of writing in Amy's Song: "Amy was a fighter, she cut like Cassius Clay, she burned like a fire, despite these rains..." The band spent a lot of time with the sampler trying to come up with different and original sounds- and it shows. The attention to detail and wide scope of innovative instrumentals and arrangements really come together and pull this album up to a level of quality rarely seen in the Christian music industry. This album is highly recommended, especially for modern/alternative rock fans.

The first time I heard of Swichfoot it was when I had to fill up an extra space on a mixed CD a friend of mine was making for me. I couldn't think of another song to put in so I typed in a random word ("Switch"- the name of her hamster) on her napster search and chose the song "New Way to Be Human" by Switchfoot for her to download and put on my CD. When I got my CD I absolutely LOVED the song! It was exactly what I love in music- a mix of rock/pop with a good beat and lyrics that I could understand and relate to. I didn't know that Switchfoot was a Christian band until I went online to buy their complete CD. (I ended up buying all three, which I love!! =D) It shocked me, but I was pleased too. It's nice to have some good music that has a good message to it. I recommend this to everyone!! It is amazing music!!

When I heard their new cd I fell in love. They are my fav group. You have to hear this cd. It is awesome! E-mail me if you feel the same!

New Way To Be Human jumped out (quite literally) at me at a bible week I went to earlier this year. So I bought it. A truely stunning album that deserves repeated play, giving a wide range of music that will fit your mood perfectly. From the upbeat "Company Car" and "Somsething More" to the quieter and more thoughtful "Amys Song" and "Under the floor". This album has it all. The words call for a life less ordinary. Wondering what life IS all about. Enjoyable to listen to and definitely one of my fave albums of the year.