The Beautiful Letdown

Switchfoot

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 25, 2003)
• Original Release Date: February 25, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Red Int / Red Ink
• ASIN: B000089IYW
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (430 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #92,669 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > Indie Music > Christian & Gospel > Alternative

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Contemporary Christian music has come a long way toward secular acceptance in recent years thanks to the likes of Switchfoot, who avoid obvious sacred references in their lyrics. It's also refreshing to hear CCM songwriters like Switchfoot's Jonathan Foreman explore love and belonging as song subjects. Unfortunately, The Beautiful Letdown hews too closely to the formula established by alternative CCM brethren Jars of Clay and Creed. Songs like the title track and "More Than Fine" come close to forging their own identity, but too often sound overproduced and designed to appeal to the widest audience. Still, Foreman's songwriting shows potential, and his progressive vision for spiritual themes indicates a willingness to color outside the lines. --Matthew Cooke

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

88 of 96 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful music...., January 30, 2004

By	star_crystal_unicorn (Iowa) - See all my reviews

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

42 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Switchfoot: The Beautiful Letdown, March 21, 2003

By	"girlmusic86" (WI, USA) - See all my reviews

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.

51 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Beautiful Letdown is anything but, March 19, 2003

By	Tim Wildsmith (Nashville) - See all my reviews

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.