Full Review: Switchfoot – Hello Hurricane
Switchfoot long ago hit that level, in which they reached a certain caliber of music, and have been free to move in a variety of musical directions without fear of sacrificing the quality. The songs on ‘Hello Hurricane’ rip through open fields with heavy instrumentation and a sophisticated chaos with the purpose of spreading understanding and expanding on optimistic ideals.
Much like the lead single, “Mess Of Me”, illustrated early on when it was released ahead of the album, a lot of the songs have a edginess to them, a sense of urgency manifesting itself through heavier instrumentation and wilder vocals than had been typical for the band. “The Sound” clearly states its meaning in the verse with the line “John Perkins said it right, love is the final fight“. The stop and go chorus with accompanying intense vocals from Jon Foreman will leave the song rattling around in your ears long after it’s ended. As to not overload the listener, the album does space out and strategically place softer songs between the harder moments of urgent rock.
The theme that love can transcend the problems which are most evident in your life doesn’t just appear in “The Sound” or “Your Love is a Song” but probably most notably in the title track “Hello Hurricane”. The song, and consequently the album, refers to these “hurricanes” that come in the form of loss, despair, and defeat and suggests they aren’t big enough to be overcome by love. And when the storm does clear it’s going to be beautiful on the other side. Using a steady drum beat and melody that rolls on like a train, the song quickly becomes something easy to sing along with giving it legs to become an anthem.
Even though ‘Hello Hurricane’ is another brilliant effort from the band it probably isn’t their best to date. Worthy of a purchase, Switchfoot has crafted a compelling follow up to ‘Oh! Gravity’.
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Tags: hello hurricane, switchfoot
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:15 pm
I definitely have to disagree with at least one part of this review; I think this is probably the best Switchfoot release. After the darkness of Nothing is Sound (which I’ve called my favorite up until now) and the tones of cynicism and condemnation on their last album, “Oh! Gravity,” “Hello Hurricane” is a wonderful change of tone. There is a renewed optimism that has graced Jon Foreman’s songwriting. You touched on it correctly, it is the message of love and hope found in love overcoming life’s obstacles.
The sound of the songs is also tremendous and the band really stretches outside of their original comfort zone–even more than “Oh! Gravity,” and I think they pull it off very nicely. Songs like from the beginning of the album with “Needle and a Haystack Life” to “Your Love is a Song,” “Free,” “Hello Hurricane,” “Yet,” and “Sing It Out.” Each song seems to have an element of a complete newness, while still having that Switchfoot sound that we’ve come to love.
I think Switchfoot is doing with this album what Coldplay did with “Viva La Vida.” They are completely releasing themselves from what they have known and done in the past and are evolving into a much more diverse and mature band. They are changing things up pretty dramatically and their ambitious efforts have completely paid off with this album.
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:02 pm
also check out the new video for mess of me on youtube, and hear the full album streaming on the band’s myspace!
November 8th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
I’ve given this album 10 listens now. I liked it as first. I love it now. It is like a whole new band but with the same old Switchfootyness (can’t find the right adjective) that everyone loves. Brings back the feelings I had when I first heard Legend of Chin 12 years ago. That album changed music for me.
If I mention Switchfoot or Jon Foreman in the same breath as U2 most people think I’m just a misguided listener, a sheltered church-goer. But it’s hard to find a song-writer this good…now try finding another song-writer that writes with such honesty and purpose. I feel privileged to get to follow this band’s every move.
IMHO, this is their best album to date. Sing it Out may be my new favorite.
December 9th, 2009 at 11:37 pm
I worked for Switchfoot at the beginning of their Hello Hurricane tour last month, and they told me that I was the very first person to hear them play their new album outside of the studio (because for the HH tour they are playing the whole album all the way through in order,) and I was completely honored!
It is a great record.
Switchfoot have been my very favourtie band for the past 10 years of my life and I’m so glad that they are keeping up the great music.
This is a really good review!
But in my very biased opinion it deserves a 6 out of 5.