Switchfoot must have spent more time riding killer waves and less time hashing out new jams over the last two years, and it shows.
Released Dec. 26, "Oh!Gravity" is the group's follow-up album to the considerably popular debut, "The Beautiful Letdown," and while fans of their style will be pleased to hear more material, enthusiasts will be disappointed with the lack of progression.
Switchfoot set the album's pace early on and didn't stray too far from their selected sound. The result is consistent and predictable, but just a shade or two above redundant.
The keyboards on the opening track, "Oh!Gravity," ring like a combination of pitch-perfected vocals, Theremin and Wurlitzer. The beach-fun-a-la-Beach Boys feel continues throughout, coupled with sun-drenched, bleach-blond power pop.
Think of Fuel, but add the big guitar and post-grunge vocals of Big Wreck or even certain Pearl Jam tracks.
The lyrics, almost all of which are written by brothers Jon and Tim Foreman, convey a certain depth, which nearly counters all of the second-person love mush. "Burn Out Bright," for instance, incites some incendiary imagery.
"Limping through the human race/you bite and claw your way back home/but you're running the wrong way/the future is a question mark/of kerosene and electric sparks/there's still fire in you yet."
It's still second person, while creatively upping the ante in the metaphor department.
There is no overt evidence regarding rumors of Switchfoot's spiritual side, but the band has certainly received some help from above. "Oh!Gravity" is produced by Steve Lillywhite, who has cranked out some classics over the past few decades with artists ranging from the Psychedelic Furs to U2.
Lillywhite, who is also credited as Switchfoot's repertoire man, is in full effect here, helping the band craft a coherent and unswerving whole, rather than a hit-single vehicle.
The absence of a clearly defined single prevents any of the material from coming across as filler. There is nothing outstanding going on, but at the same rate, nothing drab.
"Oh!Gravity" isn't mind-blowing, it is just a solid record with a handful of fun and somewhat thoughtful songs. Listeners can easily keep it in the background while doing something extreme on a board, or at least while kicking back with some M Dew.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
