|  |  | | Customer Reviews: | | | Average Customer Review: Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
Switchfoot never lets me down! Jan 04, 2010 Yes, this review is a little late (by about 4 years) but even so, these guys still deserve some stars! As a serious fan, I may be a bit biased but this album got me through my freshman year of college and inspired me more than I ever realized. In fact, I have owned two "Nothing is Sound" albums so far. The first got worn out from playing constantly! Although Switchfoot's earlier albums ("Learning to Breathe" and "New Way to Be Human") will always be my favorites, their new music has never left me disappointed. With each new album Switchfoot creates, their growth as a band is evident. If you grew up listening to the early Switchfoot, you might do a double take on their new sound but in the end it so worth it. I would recommend "Oh! Gravity" and "Hello Hurricane" as well! You will not be let down!
the letdown Jan 02, 2010 Good for christian rock. Could be better. You won't find any of these songs getting trapped in your head. I'm more of a fan of The Beautiful Letdown
Three-star album, Four stars with the DVD Apr 14, 2008 I really love Beautiful Letdown. Easily it was one of the best rock 'n' roll records of 2003. Every song is unique, catchy, and a little rough around the edges, with a big dose of fun thrown in. It's truly a gem.
Nothing is Sound suffers only in that I cannot help but compare it to its predecessor. One of the biggest drawbacks to this album is the production, which is totally saturated and polished - Switchfoot suddenly starts to sound alot like every other crappy rock band on the radio, which is a shame. Fortunately, there is still enough of that unique Switchfoot vibe to keep this album from sinking to complete blandness.
The songwriting is standard Jon Foreman, and I must say that the arrangements on many of these songs ("Happy Is a Yuppie Word," for example) are very layered and complex, which is probably due in part to the addition of yet another guitarist to the group. The first three songs are real knock-outs that pull you in for the rest of the album - which, unlike Beautiful Letdown, is inconsistent at best. There are a few highlights through the remaining tracks, but it's mostly middle-of-the-road rock songs, nothing to write home about.
There is a noticeable lack of light, fun songs like "Gone" or "Paparazzi," which is really a shame. Jon Foreman's lyrics still have a satirical bite to them, but he seems to take himself too seriously throughout the album, which really puts me off.
And while Beautiful Letdown rarely had a dull moment, Nothing Is Sound sometimes struggles to stay afloat - "The Setting Sun" is a terribly obvious (and boring) throw-away, and even the single "We Are One Tonight" pales in comparison to "Meant to Live" or "Dare You To Move." The second half of the album is much weaker than the first. The addition of a guitarist has "filled out" Switchfoot's sound in a way that is sometimes rewarding, othertimes just far too bland.
Well, that's that for the album. It's solid, but not as good as Beautiful Letdown.
As for the DVD, it's well worth getting. We get about a half hour of behind the scenes film of Switchfoot doing all kinds of stuff - writing songs, rehearsing, recording in their homemade studio, performing on the road. It's really an eye-opening account of Switchfoot, which I as a musician find inspiring. The guys in Switchfoot are also pretty funny.
In general, I think it's easier to like an album if you feel you know the musicians a little. This DVD is the perfect way to get acquainted with the guys behind the music. I would highly recommend buying this DualDisc version of the album - you get a somewhat average album with a fun DVD.
Great music Jan 21, 2008 My hubby and I are big Switchfoot fans, and this is a fun collection of Christian alternative.
0 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Nothing is unique Mar 09, 2007 I was jacked to hear their new disk after the masterpiece, The Beautiful Letdown, and was abruptly kicked in the nards upon hearing Nothing is Sound. The hopeful melancholy that worked so well on the prior album is just missing here. It's too samey. It sounds like every other pop goes distorted. Lyrically, I can't believe Mr. Foreman even thinks this comes close to The Beautiful Letdown. Therefore, obviously, go buy The Beautiful Letdown-you won't be dissappointed.
|
|  |
|