Switchfoot
Nothing is Sound
Columbia Records
12 tracks @ 51:04

This is another of those “most anticipated” new records, following the band’s hugely successful “The Beautiful Letdown.” Switchfoot finds itself on a mainstream label, Columbia, which is owned by the electronics behemoth Sony.

I bought this record off-the-shelf and thus did not have any PR material to help me understand what the band is trying to accomplish with this new record.

I read the lyrics as I played the disk and “Nothing Is Sound” strikes me as a really depressing record. Songs such as “Lonely Nation,” the first single “Stars,” “The Blues,” “The Setting Sun,” “Politicians,” and “Golden” all revolve around themes of brokenness, loneliness, a certain pointlessness to life.

Yes, we live in a broken world, but only a handful of songs, including “Happy is a Yuppie Word,” “The Setting Sun” and “Golden,” offer even a hint of hope. For example, in “Golden” there’s the verse “And everything will be made new again like freedom in the spring.” That’s the very last verse. I’m guessing that “freedom in the spring” might be a veiled reference to the resurrection. I don’t know.

The opening track “Lonely Nation” tells us that “We’re just numb and confused. . . wanting more,” but what’s the answer to this real-life situation? Christians can tell you, Switchfoot generally does not. I have no qualms with Christian artists singing songs about real-life situations. However, we are commanded to be His light in this world and if we don’t let His light shine, what’s the point? Paul has plenty to say about contentment in Philippians 4:11-13.

Is the band trying to prove its intellect by using the word “entropy” in two different songs? Once? OK, it’s amusing and maybe clever. Twice? It becomes boring.

“We Are One Tonight” is one of the few uplifting songs on the disk but singer Pat Benatar beat a similar lyric to death in “Love Is A Battlefield.” We are one in what? Christians can tell you. Switchfoot does not.

“The Shadow Proves the Sunrise” is the band’s most direct declaration on this record. I wish the record had more songs that are this powerful.

I’ll also give the band some credit for the song “Easier than Love,” which discusses, in a quite straightforward manner, that sex is a commodity without love. This song also goes against the mainstream. Popular culture, through film, television, advertising and music, bombards our senses with sexual images until we become numb. This is not an easy topic for many parents to discuss with their children and this song would be a great way to start an honest discussion. I would think it would be appropriate for youth groups as well.

Musically, it’s ok. You occasionally hear the same guitar chords found on “Beautiful Letdown,” a few different blurps and new sounds pop up here and there, but overall it’s what one might expect from the band. “The Blues” is something B.B. King might sing but production-wise it needs to be stripped down.

The linear note “Thank You’s” thank everyone but God. Nor is there mention of a Savior to give life meaning. No scripture is cited.

This record should sell another pile of copies (hey-downloading of music is illegal unless you’re paying for it) but I doubt it’ll sell as many as “Beautiful Letdown.”

- Rob S.