As a longtime fan of Switchfoot and lead singer Jon Foreman, I’m always keeping my ear to the ground for new material from them. It’s been an interesting ride, too, watching them start out as the Christian alternative band from southern California in the late 90′s to the ambiguous major-label rock band more recently.
Needless to say, I was more than happy, as I’m sure many fans were, when the band announced their departure from SonyBMG/Columbia records this past summer. After the release of Oh! Gravity, they were slowly loosing me as a listener, getting away from what I think we all knew was possible. But that’s all changed for me, at least at the outset. With their creation of their own label, Lowercase People Records, their is a pleasant resurgence of original, captivating, albeit more indie-acoustic music that I’m really diggin’.
His newest EP release entitled Fall (and first to my knowledge, a second EP entitled Winter slated for this winter), came out on iTunes last week and has really got my attention. It’s fresh, heart-felt and original. The confines and requirements of big music labels are not present, but melodic, open acoustic guitar parts, subtle horn sections and well placed clarinet lines certainly are. More reminiscent of emo than rock, Formean’s lyrics and delivery are raw and melancholy, perfect for those pensive rainy days.
If this is a harbinger of what’s to come from Jon Foreman and Lowercase People Records, than I welcome it with open arms. Here’s to more creative music from the guys in So Cal! Make sure to go check out Fall on iTunes (even just listen to the free samples) and then please leave your comments back here; I’d love to know what you think!
Thanks for spending some time with me today.
CH
Are you getting paid for this? hehe Some sort of royalty for sales from this site? Review, Review, Review, Review. I look in the mirror as I write this, “You should be writing.”
- mooney
I cannot think of Switchfoot without remembering the time Pastor Chuck Smith (Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa) got up to introduce them and he began “I remember when I was baby-sitting Jon and his brother…” or something along that line. It was rather amusing.
Well now we know who their baby-sitter was.
However, back to the topic. (Or more so at any rate.) I like Switchfoot but it’s not like my “All time favourite band” or anything like that. (That honour would probably go to either U2 or Newsboys. Probably Newsboys, despite my fondness for Bono’s excellent voice and the fact that Peter Fuller’s voice kind of grates on my nerves sometimes. They do seem to be a more morally minded band then U2.)
All that said, I do like the sound of this CD. (Save his voice. I don’t really like that so much, but the instrumentals are very excellent.)
Mooney: no royalties. But that’s a good idea! I do like promoting what I feel is good art, though.
Shane: Pastor Chuck is a great man. Actually got to play down there in Costa Mesa back in 2002. Fun times! The Kry was just before us and it was cool getting to meet them.
U2? Good call! How can you NOT like them? My uncle in Ireland grew up with them in the same church. Wild! Not a big Newsboys fan.
Thanks for commenting guys!
CH
Hey so I was checking out the site, and he has hand written lyrics and some raw you tube videos. But I love the songs and can’t wait to hear “Winter”
-John
Oh, this is a good thing. It was a sad day when Christian record companies began merging with secular music companies in an unequal yoke that God could not bless. We lost something and gained some unwanted things in this late 80′s and 90′s merger. Glad to hear Foreman and the lads are taking a step back in the right direction. More power to them.
Christian
Like you, Switchfoot is a favorite band of mine. I’ve always liked Oh! Gravity, though initially not as much as the older CDs. It has really grown on me, though. I listen to it when I need energy, which lately is often, and I’ve grown to love it.
The EP is also a favorite. I’ve preordered all 4. Like you, I like to promote bands like SF and singers like Jon Foreman. I like the things they stand for.
I’d like to make a difference in the world, but I don’t have the reach they do. Promoting them, though, is one way to make a difference.
“Shane: Pastor Chuck is a great man. Actually got to play down there in Costa Mesa back in 2002. Fun times! The Kry was just before us and it was cool getting to meet them.”
The Kry, I like them… They’re pretty good. I think their “Undone” album is my favourite followed quite closely by “What About Now?” And Chuck Smith so rocks!
Newsboys seem to be the kind where you either love them or you hate them.
I tend to like their remixed CDs much more then their original ones. I just bought your own CD on iTunes. Pretty cool… I like it! Great job!
Wow! Thanks! Which album did you buy?
CH
Airborn. It’s awesome.