Switchfoot frontmanIt IJon Foreman is one of the great songwriters of modern music. His insightful observations of the human condition have fueled Switchfoot's many hits and albums, bringing to the mainstream a thoughtfulness not often present in radio pop. Yet when compared to Fall, the beginning of Foreman's 4-part series of EPs (thematically categorized according to the seasonal changes in a year), it seems that his best is only now being revealed. The pulsating alternative rock of Switchfoot is completely removed from this EP, replaced with a stripped down, acoustic-folk sound. And I'm glad to say, for the most part, it works.
Track Listing:
- The Cure For Pain
- Southbound Train
- Lord Save Me From Myself
- Equally Skilled
- The Moon Is A Magnet
- My Love Goes Free
Fall is generally associated with the steadily increasing cold; the dying rays of summer painting the dead leaves in different shades of brown and gold. With this in mind, Foreman begins his journey in the beautiful yet brutal honesty of "The Cure For Pain". The repeated acoustic guitar riffs underpin Foreman's impassioned vocals well; the (intentional) tiredness is accentuated by the bareness of the sonic landscape. His lyrics, somewhat surprisingly, are much more pointed than they are in Switchfoot songs. "Oh my Lord, to suffer like you did, it would be a lie to run away" he sings, but his emotion arms the track with a mainstream accessibility. "Southbound Train" opens up with some traditional Americana harmonica and gives way to Foreman's guitar and the occasional violin, and you could almost picture him sitting in a lonely train carriage, head leaning against the window as his seemingly never-ending journey continues. "Lord Save Me From Myself" is probably the most upbeat of the lot; it's also the only one that (sparsely) implements a drum kit. "Equally Skilled" is undoubtedly the pick of the lot, with perhaps a tad more of a layered but nonetheless still acoustic sound. The human ability to do evil and wrong is contrasted against God's ability to do right; "Both of his hands are equally skilled at loving the loveless", sings Foreman near the end of the track. There is, as already has been said, a denser feel to this track which is perhaps what makes it loveable; the drum loops adds some solidity to that already provided by the vocal harmonies and the background violin alongside the guitar. The next two tracks differentiate quite starkly; "The Moon Is A Magnet" is almost an abstract afterthought, a quirky little muse by Foreman on his ever-reliable guitar about what, I can't exactly decipher (I'll leave that up to you, the ever-discerning readers). The most heart-wrenching track is saved till the end; "My Love Goes Free" emotively describes a long range relationship. The end allows for a nice (potential) segue into Winter.
One aspect I had to focus on is Jon Foreman's lyrical aptitude. Filled with poetic imagery and symbolism not that present in Switchfoot's releases, he really has brought his maturation in the last ten years to the fore. Whereas The Legend of Chin (Switchfoot's debut album) contained tracks such as the goofball "Chem 6A" (no offense to that song, I actually enjoy it), all the tracks here have outer references and are rich in honest yet discerning conclusions about the world as a whole. Foreman creates a paradox in this EP; The references to God are explicit, and yet many secular people praise the EP on the internet and by word of mouth. "Lord Save Me From Myself" is possibly the only song in which tired clichés are exposed: "And sex is a grand production, but I'm bored with that as well". That could be inserted into Easier Than Love without much hullabaloo.
The youthful exuberance of people tends to disappear when they reach their 30's. They have to actually consider being role models to others, while working hard to advance themselves on the corporate ladder, all the while progressively realizing that the world isn't the great place they were told it was. Foreman's youthful exuberance has by no means disappeared (anyone who has seen a Switchfoot concert will find it immensely tough to disagree with me), but he has shown the way his perceptions have been altered in Fall. Coupled with his sometimes-raspy-sometimes-smooth vocals and acoustic instrumentation, his songwriting skills shine through and cement him as one of this generation's major creative inspirations. Acoustic fans will find it hard to be displeased, as will hardcore Switchfoot fans. I look forward to consuming Foreman's other offerings as he takes us on his ride, the ride of his seasonal life.
Rating: 5/5
Listen to and purchase this EP at Thirdmile.com - Australia's #1 Christian Music MP3 store
3 comments:
Sick review!
Another feature which the Gods offer as a clue is very foreboading and ominous. Mt. Zion is a mountain to the north of Diablo (the eye of The Beast) and one which has a working quarry at its base. Consistant with the decay we experience in society, Mt. Zion is being eaten away, slowly stripped of its resources, until one day paradise will be gone forever.
So many people don't care about global warming. They disregard the need for conservation and instead drive SUVs. They don't care about the Federal deficit/debt (outside of partisanship) and they don't care earning $400k for an $80,000/year job will eventually bankrupt the country. They have awarded themselves $400k pay and retirement packages, loading up their friends on the payroll during the boom 90s through the real estate bust while all services which the program were intended to fund now get cut to pay for it.
These people are often common public university labor. Not Ivy League, not private university.
This labor isn't good enough to command the salaries they are earning. And they understood this when they applied to the public university they settled on.
You can't expect a top-tier salary with a second-rate education.
They think they are going sometime during/at the end of this life, and disregard the poor souls who are left behind.
Sounds like the Italians who were used to plan World War II and the Holocaust, and not by accident.
These are the people who will be here in the United States when bankruptcy is declared and society deteriorates into chaos. And they will deserve the anarchy which ensues.
Continuing the push for privatization, reinforced and supported recently with enormous public sector salaries and retirement packages.
Once achieved the gods will utilize the corruptive predisposition of the private sector economy, as seen with the sub-prime/bailout fiasco, to initiate economic catastrophy and initiate the bankruptcy proceedings of the United States.
Whether the cure for cancer/diseases or the permanant resolution of economic misery, before the gods remove these motivations to pray we will experience an inordinate deluge of each element, with economic misery being perhaps the dissallusion of the united States with bankruptcy.
The gods used the Italians to ruin life in the 20th century.
The gods used the Italians to ruin life in A.D. with The Church.
The Church controlled Western Civilization. As the largest land owner in Europe they controlled the monarchies. They were responsbile for slavery, revenge for African invasion and rape of Italy. They created religious discontent, ultimately leading to the disfavored dumping ground known as the United States.
And each generation of these Italians were sold on "earning", only to be reincarnated as a lesser life form subsequently, punishment for their evil.
"The West Bank, where the end of the world will begin." With xtianity.
Another feature which the Gods offer as a clue is very foreboading and ominous. Mt. Zion is a mountain to the north of Diablo (the eye of The Beast) and one which has a working quarry at its base. Consistant with the decay we experience in society, Mt. Zion is being eaten away, slowly stripped of its resources, until one day paradise will be gone forever.
So many people don't care about global warming. They disregard the need for conservation and instead drive SUVs. They don't care about the Federal deficit/debt (outside of partisanship) and they don't care earning $400k for an $80,000/year job will eventually bankrupt the country. They have awarded themselves $400k pay and retirement packages, loading up their friends on the payroll during the boom 90s through the real estate bust while all services which the program were intended to fund now get cut to pay for it.
These people are often common public university labor. Not Ivy League, not private university.
This labor isn't good enough to command the salaries they are earning. And they understood this when they applied to the public university they settled on.
You can't expect a top-tier salary with a second-rate education.
They think they are going sometime during/at the end of this life, and disregard the poor souls who are left behind.
Sounds like the Italians who were used to plan World War II and the Holocaust, and not by accident.
These are the people who will be here in the United States when bankruptcy is declared and society deteriorates into chaos. And they will deserve the anarchy which ensues.
Continuing the push for privatization, reinforced and supported recently with enormous public sector salaries and retirement packages.
Once achieved the gods will utilize the corruptive predisposition of the private sector economy, as seen with the sub-prime/bailout fiasco, to initiate economic catastrophy and initiate the bankruptcy proceedings of the United States.
Whether the cure for cancer/diseases or the permanant resolution of economic misery, before the gods remove these motivations to pray we will experience an inordinate deluge of each element, with economic misery being perhaps the dissallusion of the united States with bankruptcy.
The gods used the Italians to ruin life in the 20th century.
The gods used the Italians to ruin life in A.D. with The Church.
The Church controlled Western Civilization. As the largest land owner in Europe they controlled the monarchies. They were responsbile for slavery, revenge for African invasion and rape of Italy. They created religious discontent, ultimately leading to the disfavored dumping ground known as the United States.
And each generation of these Italians were sold on "earning", only to be reincarnated as a lesser life form subsequently, punishment for their evil.
"The West Bank, where the end of the world will begin." With xtianity.
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