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In 2002, alternative CCM rockers Switchfoot cribbed some wider exposure from Mandy Moore, contributing tracks
to her film Walk to Remember. It was a good fit, as the film, like the Foot, strode toward the mainstream without forgetting
its good-hearted ideals. They returned in February '03 with the slick modern rock missive Beautiful Letdown, which
promptly blew up the Christian charts and garnered Switchfoot an armful of Dove Award nominations. But, issued through Columbia
Records instead of Sparrow, it was clear Letdown had designs on something larger than the CCM market. Thus
a year later in 2004, Switchfoot has issued the album again. It's the same, though the mix is slightly tweaked and an unremarkable
DVD with videos and some unreleased stuff appears, hoping to appease those that bought the thing once already. Musically,
the album is kind of all over the place. But it's always melodic and well-paced, and carefully emulates what's already worked
for Adult Alternative. So, while "Meant to Live" approaches the chunky grandeur of Fuel, "Gone" is a
winking sing-song of a thing that owes a huge - huge - debt to Sugar Ray. There's also stuff like "This Is Your
Life" and "More Than Fine", where slick electronic treatments accentuate Jon Foreman's slightly Bono-ish
vocals. It's all tinged with the spirituality that's been Switchfoot's MO since the beginning; however, the band's work is
too easily hooky and mature not to find favor with secular audiences. The meanest thing you can say about a gorgeously layered
ballad like "Dare You to Move" is that it's more of a nice, warm Tuesday evening than the wee hours of a greasy Saturday
night. But there needs to be gradation like this in rock, bands on both the good and evil sides of the coin trying to hold
it down. And for their part, for what they do, Switchfoot is very talented. Here's hoping their polished halo brings
its gleam to the mainstream.
- Johnny Loftus, All Music Guide
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Title: Beautiful Letdown
Artist: Switchfoot
Distributor: Sony Music Entertainment
Inc.
Release Date: 17-Dec-2003
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