Switchfoot: Hello Hurricane Review

Conner — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 16:06:24 +0000

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SYNOPSIS
KLAMPERT: I have been a fan of switchfoot since 1996, before they became a houshold name. As a matter of fact one of my favorite albums they did was “legend of chin”. “Beautiful Letdown” was a masterpiece and I loved every bit of it. Then something happened. They got big and had to write hits. The next 2 CD’s that followed felt like a complete departure from the killer rock with amazing lyrics we have grown accustomed to. Guess what folks? Hello Hurricane brings that back. It’s almost like they said “ok we are rich now so lets get back to making music like we used to”
BYRD: In 1998 when I joined my first “Christian Rock & Roll” band is when I remember meeting Chem6A and going ‘YEAH! This is music I’d like to make.’ …um…well we didn’t BUT here we are 12 years later and it appears that Jon Foreman still has the lyrics that I wish I could write and I believe the band has put out one of their most incredibly solid projects reminiscent of The Beautiful Letdown. It carries all the Switchfoot golden nuggets: layered rock, singalong choruses, the bigger than myself lyrics, the stereo guitar parts, the vocal line over a dry 4 count on the kick drum and yet seems so much more comfortably in their groove than Oh! Gravity and Nothing is Sound. Not that those weren’t two ambitious projects but this is just so much more comfortably raw and in line if you will with what I remember falling in love with Switchfoot for!
MAHONEY: Back in 2004 or so, I remember driving home from a concert somewhere with some of our youth. Someone popped in The Beautiful Letdown and so my introduction to Switchfoot began. After listening to some of their interim releases, I remember thinking that the band had seemingly lost their way – their musical and lyrical style had wandered, and it seemed they tried to be all things to all people. They’ve certainly gotten back on track with Hello Hurricane, which while showing some clear U2 and Coldplay influences, is a straight-up Switchfoot album. And instead of focusing on what’s wrong in life like the last two records, Hurricane is decidedly more optimistic and hopeful, full of energy and vigor.
VANCE: The Beautiful Letdown was the first Switchfoot album I heard. Following that I picked up Oh Gravity! and now Hello Hurricane. The truth is, although Switchfoot make fantastic albums that I always look forward to, I tend to bore of them fairly quickly (after a week or two). Yes, I’ll come back to them now and again and they sound as good as they did when I first popped them in the player. The album is cranked full of great songs that will rock your socks off, as well as some mellow tracks. They mix really well together. The only song that doesn’t “click” with me is surprisingly the title track, “Hello Hurricane”. By the way, I could listen to Jon Foreman’s solo work 24×7 and never get bored. Maybe it’s the big sound that drowns out some of the intelligent lyrics and longevity?

BOTTOM LINE
KLAMPERT: A great CD that brings me back to when I first heard them. Its raw and passionate and real. I only had one issue with this CD. The main melody in “Free” is the same as Black Sabbath “war pigs”. But you would have to be a nerd to realize that I think. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
BYRD: Switchfoot’s switching it up a bit creates a real masterpiece that I really can’t even say leaves a weak track on the CD. There are some of the raunchiest rock songs on here mixed in with some truly delicate and beautiful pieces that all mix so well! Bravo. Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
MAHONEY: A must have for “pre-mainstream” Switchfoot fans. Raw, raunchy and real. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
VANCE: A must-have for Switchfoot fans! Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

MUST HAVE SONGS

KLAMPERT:

Mess of Me (best song on the CD hands down)
The Sound
Always
Hello Hurricane
Red Eye

BYRD:

Mess of Me
The Sound (John M. Perkins’ Blues)
Always
Hello Hurricane
Yet
Red Eye

MAHONEY:

Mess of Me
This is the Sound
Sing it Out

VANCE:

Needle And Haystack Life
Mess Of Me
Your Love Is A Song
*Enough To Let Me Go
Free
Always
Bullet Soul
Yet
Sing It Out
Red Eyes

* Love this song!

SONGS FOR CHURCH
KLAMPERT: Worship..eh..”mess of me” to me may not be playable in church but it applies to all of our lives.
BYRD: Let’s just be clear here in case you didn’t know: this is NOT a ‘worship’ CD. However, lyrically I think these could easily be used: Sing it Out Your Love is a Song Free Always
MAHONEY: Ahh, here’s the rub. Not really “churchy” stuff. I can’t really see myself doing anything here in a worship setting, but some songs might fit for a special, or some non-service activities: Sing it Out Your Love is a Song
VANCE: Yeah, there’s a chance you might a song to use as a performance against a specific theme or sermon series. There is no congregational songs on here. There’s not supposed to be. Don’t try to make them.

The Joint gives Switchfoot: Hello Hurricane Overall Rating: 4.13 out of 5 stars

the joint review » Switchfoot

Switchfoot: Hello Hurricane Review

This CD was given to us for review by Hoganson media