I was finally able to listen to the complete Switchfoot album, Nothing Is Sound (NIS), by pre-ordering via Amazon. The quality is only 64K but is good enough for me to get the vibe. I can only listen to it when I'm on a computer so I haven't gotten the car CD or iPod effect yet.
So, full disclosure, I am friendly with 4 of the members of Switchfoot and am good friends with one of their relatives. I happen to be a big fan of this band but will temper the personal to take an honest look at the new album.
Switchfoot's last album, The Beautiful Letdown (TBL), came out over two-and-a-half years ago so it's long overdue for the new album. The latest was written and many parts were recorded on the many TBL tours. It seems to not be far departure from TBL but more of a continuation of the same themes. Just as TBL, NIS cannot be classified as a rock, alternative, mellow, pop, Christian, etc. or any other type of label. It's just Switchfoot doing what they do best; lots of guitars (they even added another guitarist, Drew Shirley), lots of catchy songs and a ton of thoughtful lyrics.
I'm sure many of you have already heard the first single called Stars, which is one the the more guitar driven tunes, but there are two others that are far stronger and would have been a better choice for the first single. Unlike Stars, these other tunes (Lonely Nation and Politicians) don't mellow out for the vocals then get harder for the guitar parts. Stars is more of a pop-rock song and seems to be struggling to get airplay on the local alternative stations. I think it will be more popular on more top-40 type stations.
The centerpiece of the album is called Happy Is A Yuppie Word; song title inspired from an old Bob Dylan interview. I've heard the song a few times in concert and it didn't really reach me until I heard it in May. It was a benefit concert (read more about it here) and the song really kicked my butt. Yuppie has a bit of a down-and-dirty bluesy feel to it and has a very memorable chorus. The Nothing Is Sound title is contained in this song and when Jon Foreman is screaming these words near the end of the song you just want to scream with him.
The Switchfoot guys always have a song that takes a great poke at society (see Gone, Poparazzi, Company Car from previous albums) and this time it deals with the commodity of sex and how it is Easier Than Love. Love is extremely hard but sex sells. It's kind of the big "duh" song but it needs to be said.
The rest of the songs offer a mix of different tempos but everything is listenable and pretty darn good. There are less electronics than TBL and everything they've previewed live for NIS comes out quite well, which didn't happen for On Fire on TBL. This album has a lot of potential singles and I'm hoping to see Politicians get on some hard rock stations.
Nothing Is Sound has at least one or two songs that many types of listeners would like a lot but if you are a Switchfoot fan or someone who likes variety in their albums then this is for you. There are twelve songs total and they all bring a little something different to the table. If you like just Meant to Live from the previous album then there are probably only two or three songs for you.
I think one thing that Switchfoot needs to be careful of is the perception that they are becoming brooding naval gazers who are pretty well off but feel guilty about it. You do have to listen for the optimism sometimes but it is there. They ask hard questions about "life, love and why" and as the Dread Pirate Roberts says "Life is pain, princess. . . anyone who says differently is selling something". They may be selling you something but it's honest, thoughtful and excellent.
Cross-posted at Blog Critics.
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Posted by Tim at September 5, 2005 08:42 PMgood review. i didn't write one because i'd rather see yours. good job. i would have added that this is the best album of my lifetime...but that's just me. ;)
Posted by: JonnyUps at September 5, 2005 11:16 PMNothing is sound is huge leap for switchfoot in my opinion. It seemed as if the beautiful letdown would be their artistic pinnacle, but now it seems it was just the first step. The lyrics are amazing. The musicianship has also taken a step forward. The only song on the album that seems to not fit is politicians. I like the message but the song sounds like a b-side. The shadow proves the sunshine is a true work of art. I was shocked when I heard that song coming out of the speakers. It almost has a U2 feel without trying. Anyone who thinks of albums as art should enjoy NIS.
Posted by: brad snyder at September 18, 2005 05:16 AM
