I decided I would write about the new Switchfoot Album -Vice Verses.
I recently bought the album, and was very excited when I saw that it was coming out on a day when I had a bunch of tests. I figured it'd be the highlight of my day. Which, buying new music always is, when I was finished with the new Switchfoot Album, I was left wanting.
Now I know this sounds like heresy to any devout Switchfoot fan. Which is partly why I feel I need to make these posts into really lengthy posts. I've never seriously critiqued something on my blog before (which you all know) So if this is horrible and you're extremely bored.... go read another blog.
Okay, actually don't. I love you all and your readings, and would absolutely LOVE to get some ratings on how well you agree with me (or disagree) and then tell me whether to shut up or not. Okay? Okay. THANKS.
So first things first. I intend to write about the album as a whole, then each individual song, then the album as a whole in conclusion. Though I may not get to do that, at least it's the idea. SO, without further ado (MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING I SEE.):
Vice Verses.
First of all I must say that I was completely thrilled when this album came out. I had been waiting since Hello Hurricane to listen to this newest album.
In an interview found on landofbrokenhearts.org, Jon Foreman talked a little bit about how the new Album was going to sound:
"LJ: Is there any particular direction you’re heading toward after Hello, Hurricane?It was also rumored that a song called "Until You Lose One" was going to be on the album, with the lyrics "You don't know a friend until you lose one."
JF: I think the next CD is going to be quite a bit different. We’ve been talking around the idea about a double album. The name of the next CD is called Vice-Verses, and I think it’s a chance to show off even more diversity than Hello, Hurricane."
I personally was very excited for the darker themes of Vice Verses, my favorite album of Switchfoot's has always been "Nothing is Sound" because it deals with the darker side of life, it doesn't ignore the pain. I heard from a friend of mine that Vice Verses was supposed to follow along that vein.
To continue the journey, in June of 2010, LOBH posted some new songs that were supposed to be on Vice Verses, Check out the post here. For me personally the biggest letdown was the fact that Switchfoot didn't put the song on their album called "Against the Voices".
Here are some of the lyrics:
Start the day against the voicesThe lyrics and tune of this song was fantastic, and can be found here.
The ones that tell me that I’m wrong
I hear them now screaming their delusions
I close my eyes and they’re gone If they ain’t singing, if they’re just talking
Let them keep talking to themselves
Cause everybody knows
That the hardest war to fight
Is a fight to be yourself in a world
That wants to turn you into someone else
Come Home was also another one rumored to be on there. I absolutely love this song, I found it while I was writing this post and you MUST listen to it. The lyrics are here. The song is here.
So when the album listing came out I was very disappointed with the songs that were cut. In the beginning I was thrilled with the list, and wish I could find the original one on LOBH, however I cannot at this time. If you find it please comment at the bottom of this post and let me know where to find it. THANKS
I'll comment later on the songs that made it to the album.
The overall sound of Vice Verses was a little more pop-ish to my liking. I was expecting the more grungy-alternative feel/sound of Switchfoot, and was rather surprised with what was supposedly "bold" music. It sounded a little too much like the common low bass beat that everyone is obsessed with lately. For me this was NOT a "beautiful letdown". I was expecting at least something less mainstream, and was surprised by the fact that Switchfoot not only made us wait so long, but it felt as though the songs were more rushed and lazily put together than the long wait we endured.
Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love Switchfoot, but as a whole the album was dissapointing. I did LOVE certain songs, which I will write more on later, but that's the first section of my Switchfoot Vice Verses rant.
I guess every blessing comes with a set of curses. :)
-SinkingUp
What did I think... Well, I myself am not a Switchfoot fan at all. They're okay, a few songs are catchy, but I don't like the lead singers voice at all. So, it is interesting reading a review of their stuff written by a fan. I did like one song that came up on my spotify one day, Dark Horse, something like that? But it is sad to hear that they took so long and came out with such a poor quality album. I feel like a lot of bands do this, they do not realize that even a good album cannot live up to the hype after a certain amount of time has passed.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, mostly just responding because I can. -evil grin-