Learning to Breathe

Switchfoot

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 26, 2000)
• Original Release Date: September 26, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Re: Think
• ASIN: B00004YL5Y
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (95 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #6,242 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

From CCM Magazine -- Subscribe Now!

The maxim "the third time's a charm" was surely invented for the latest offering from this San Diego-based surfing trio. After two albums that displayed great promise and potential (1997's debut The Legend of Chin and the follow-up New Way to Be Human), Switchfoot blows down the doors and hits a major sprinter's stride with Learning to Breathe.

This is a brilliant record. Musically it's infinitely inventive-yet much more accessible than previous efforts. Lyrically it's intelligent and poetic-yet more spiritually expressive than previous efforts. What's more, the themes explored are quite global and broad-yet there's still room for personal stories among the 11 songs.

The Foreman brothers-Jonathan on guitar, Tim on bass-and drummer Chad Butler have always excelled instrumentally. In fact, they've always been a bit too good, a mite too progressive and offbeat for wider acceptance. But on Learning to Breathe, Switchfoot manages to retain its inventive, jam-oriented style, in the context of catchy pop hooks and melodies. The very first song, "I Dare You to Move," is about as far from quirky as you can get. It's the kind of sweeping, grand anthem that a band like Delirious would write, complete with a goosebump-inducing vocal chorus that's destined to take up permanent residence inside any number of brains. Next, the title track employs the ethereal-type guitar harmonics that made U2 famous, along with electronic and acoustic drums, combining to create the backdrop for an insightful song about repentance and dependence upon God. "You Already Take Me There," a driving track that borders on grunge metal in the choruses yet showcases Switchfoot's Squeeze-like vocals, continues the aforementioned theme.

The most evocative track on the album, "Love Is the Movement," wins the day with standout elements like the chorus' gospel-tinged vocals and the bass guitar's high-note riffing. The melody ain't bad, either. Switchfoot has more than come into its own with Learning to Breathe. And the band should win a whole new flock of fans because of it. -- Dave Urbanski (c) 2000 CCM Communications, Inc.

Product Description

Switchfoot, Learning to Breathe

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Genius, absolute genius., September 29, 2000

By	"kaylafaith" (Morgan Hill, CA United States) - See all my reviews

Switchfoot's first album (The Legend Of Chin) was great. Their second album (New Way To Be Human) was fabulous, an obvious growth and change, but it didn't make The Legend Of Chin look any worse for wear. And now we have Learning To Breathe, and the boys are better, more intelligent, and more mature than ever, while still hanging on to the humor and creativity that made the first two cds as good as they are. How they do it, I may never know.

LTB is, in a word, amazing. Not as simple as TLOC, not as excitedly eclectic as NWTBH, it is at once entirely new and at the same time distinctively Switchfoot sound. There is a clearer rock base to the cd. Not that it should even be classified...

Every song is completely singable. From the opening notes of "I Dare You To Move", something inside you will say "Oh, this is going to be good!" From the near-choir group power of "Love Is The Movement" to the cynical-happy "Poparazzi", not to mention the ballad "Economy of Mercy", which has a beauty (reminiscent of Switchfoot's "You" or "Only Hope"), every song is a gift.

If you've never heard Switchfoot, you'll love the style. If you've been a longtime fan, you'll be happy to hear that they're not just good, they're better all the time. Having met them, Switchfoot is three guys who are humble and genuine. And they're brilliant. And they know where to give the credit: up to the Ultimate Artist.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The legend of Switchfoot, September 26, 2000

By	Travis (New Orleans) - See all my reviews

Switchfoot never disappoints - in fact they always amaze. The new album is no exception. For a college student who likes intelligent art, both musically and lyrically, there's no better find than Switchfoot. "Learning To Breathe" dives right in, tackling the tougher issues of life, and like the opening song declares: they "dare you to move." They dare you to live life like it's the only one you've got, "like today never happened before." Music fans need to have this album.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!, September 11, 2004

By	luv Big-D (Dallas, TX USA) - See all my reviews

I first heard Switchfoot at an outdoor all-day concert in Texas and I gotta say I wasn't a fan. This was when their newest was "New Way to Be Human" and the songs on there were a little less than okay.
Cut to, I'm listening to the radio and hear "Love Is A Movement" and I HAVE TO KNOW who that is. When I found out it was Switchfoot I ran out to buy the CD. The songs are nothing short of amazing and for a young soul-searching band their songs are incredibly moving and thought provoking not to mention the vocals practically carry you away. "Dare You to Move" is one of my favorite songs of all time because it's satisfying in every way. The melody is just beautiful, the lysrics are so heart-felt and in-depth that they give you goosebumps, and the vocals in the chorus are the best I've heard. And like I said before "Love is the Movement" is a great song. It's probably my favorite on the CD.
This band is still young but on the verge of greatness and this CD has sent them from teatering on the edge to comfortably in a place of reverence. If you're looking for a great CD collection this CD is a must-have.