Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fifth Release... One Amazing Comeback, September 14, 2005
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!
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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Songs that rock out, are sad and melancholy, and are sincere and loving, October 14, 2005
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.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Switchfoot delivers a more deeper, stronger overall album., September 14, 2005
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.
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An Amazon.com Best of 2005 selection.
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