Switchfoot has been in decline since their major-label debut, The Beautiful Letdown. That album was originally recorded independently, then remixed once Columbia Records signed the band. Each successive album has been recorded under the auspices of Columbia/Sony, but while they've been commercially successful, I've liked each less than the one before. There were some great songs, one or two per album, but the albums disappointed me. Being dropped by Sony seems to have reinvigorated the band, as the independently-recorded Hello Hurricane reminds me why I love Switchfoot.
On the Hello Hurricane tour, each show starts with the twelve songs from the album played in order. As lead singer Jon Foreman joked at the House of Blues in Dallas, Texas, "Our opening act is Hello Hurricane, then Switchfoot will be up later." The structure of the album makes it work, since the last song, "Red Eyes," reprises some lyrics from the first song, "Needle and Haystack Life," and several other songs seem to be related to each other.
The songs seem to go in several different directions, musically, with rock hooks in some songs, and anthemic chorus in others, with a few odd instruments brought in for variety. They're touring with a mandolin, accordion, and plenty of percussion.
No Switchfoot album is perfect, even The Beautiful Letdown, so let's take a look at each track.
"Needle and Haystack Life" is about love, and life. Possibly sung to a newborn baby girl, or maybe just to the love of his life, it suggests that finding love is miraculous, not accidental, and worth fighting for. It sets a tone for the mellower songs on the disc. In this needle and haystack life / I found miracles there in your eyes / It's no accident we're here tonight / We are once in a lifetime
"Mess of Me" is a declaration of failure, and the song with The Hook for the album. It's the first single, with video and Jimmy Kimmel performance to back it up. I've made a mess of me / I want to reverse this tragedy / I've made a mess of me / I want to spend the rest of my life alive
"Your Love Is A Song" switches back to more mellow territory. It was introduced at the concert I attended earlier this week with: "I write songs about things I don't understand very well, namely God and girls. This is a song about grace." Oh, your love is a symphony / All around me / Running through me // Oh, your love is a melody / Underneath me / Running to me // Your love is a song
Article comments
1 - Josh Hathaway
Phillip, this is a wonderful analysis and review of an outstanding record. Well done. It's always such a great add when you, EO, and Lisa find time among your other BC-related responsibilities to write. Your voices are missed.
2 - Phillip Winn
Thanks, Josh!
I'm just glad the album is as great as it is. I was experience some odd cognitive dissonance with my favorite song ("Faust, Midas, and Myself") as part of my least-favorite album!