Is anything sound?

I saw Switchfoot in concert this summer. It was at the end of a long, hot day and I felt sick, but nonetheless, I was not impressed. Earlier in the day I got mad when I heard some kids calling them "sellouts," but when I saw them I didn't feel very different. It looked fake. The first time I saw them live (at Franciscan University of Steubenville) it was right before they got huge. They were incredible - energetic, passionate, and honest. At Alive they looked like any stereotypical rock stars posing for the camera. I didn't plan on buying this CD.

However, I'm glad I did. Hearing the new single, "Stars" on the radio got my attention so I took the chance, and once again, Switchfoot delivered.

I have liked every album these guys put out. They write creative, catchy music and most of it has a message (usually a fairly vauge message) that points towards God. Nothing is Sound is just another step in their development. Besides adding another new band member (if they keep it up they'll have a full orchestra) they've gone a little more hard rock without losing the pop sensibility that they've always had. While The Beautiful Letdownwas full of anthems about life ("Meant to Live", "This is Your Life", the title track, "Twenty Four"), this one is a little darker and harder. It seems like their journey into fame has given their lyrics a slightly more mellow, serious feel, but the light God still comes through, at least for me.

1. Lonely Nation - It reminds me of hearing them live - lots of feedback and "spacey" guitar sounds. This starts off the album in a way very similiar to "Meant to Live." Very Rock.

2. Stars - The first single. Awesome guitar riff as well as a freakin cool drum part. I can identify with the lyrics too. If you ever feel too important or serious about yourself, go outside on a clear night and look up. That is how litte you are and how big God is. Yet He still cares about every one of us.

3. Happy is a Yuppie Word - I hated this when they played it at Alive 2005. But there they introduced it with a horrible rendition of some Bob Dylan song and tried to sound "political." "Politics" are fine ... just don't let them ruin your music. I still don't know what the song is about ... maybe the temporary nature of the world around us, but I like it a lot more than when I first heard it.

4. The Shadow Proves The Sunshine - I love the drums on this one. They're gigantic. The song has a cool melody and a good message. The darkness in our lives only shows God's light all the brighter.

5. Easier Than Love - A song about our society's obesession with sex. Wow. And they handle it well. I really like the chorus on this and think it is a great way to address the idea. My favorite line is where he says, "Where is my soul ..." It rocks pretty hard. It is almost making fun of the idea itself ... that we use sex to sell everything. Listen for them to yell "sex!" at the beginning of the last chorus. It is almost satire.

6. The Blues - Wow. Not only is this a good song, but it's really what it claims to be. We've been redeemed by Jesus and God's beauty is in the world, but we're not meant to stay here. We're made for another world. Sometimes that is sad.

7. The Setting Sun - This is the most "pop" song that is on the CD. It's beautiful though, with soaring harmony and a feel-good chorus. It's almost a remedy to the sorrow that the previous track proclaims with a message of hoping for a world beyond "the setting sun."

8. Politcians - I love these lyrics. It's basically how I feel about government (look here and see). This would be sweet to hear live. If a band is going to sing about "politics," this is how I like them to do it.

9. Golden - Just a cool song. It is kind of like "The Setting Sun" with a positive feel. There's a good mix of that sort of stuff on here.

10. The Fatal Wound - Spectacular beat. It even has some cool harmonica (Bobby Dylan again?). This song makes me think of Jesus enduring suffering to save us all. I love the line, "Son of sorrow..."

11. We Are One Tonight - Though they may have taken some lyrical hints from U2's Sunday Bloody Sunday, it's still a good song. Very singalongy if that's a word. I used it, so now it is.

12. Daisy - A great way to end the CD. It starts out slow and acoustic but ends up with the classis rock star ending (get real loud). I love the chord changes from the verses to the outro. Very cool.

In conclusion: This is a good CD. It makes me think of Mmhmm (Relient K), X & Y (Coldplay), and Bleed American (Jimmy Eat World). Weird, those are CD's I've been obsessed with in the past year. Nothing is Sound fits right in with those. It's a modern rock classic. I have spoken.

If "selling out" means getting famous but continuing to make good music then sign me up. Switchfoot have mostly redeemed themselves in my eyes. For now I will blame my disappointment at Alive on the weather in Ohio and just enjoy this album. It's a great way for the band to continue the high point of their career.

Thank you, Switchfoot, for not letting me down.

The Propaganda Machine Rating: Buy this now.