Appreciating Switchfoot

Since Kylan wrote the review about Jon Foreman's EP, I felt it was only fair stay away from the specific topic of the EP itself. I agree with his review; it is a very good album and it really demonstrates Jon's and Switchfoot's philosophy of being a band for thinking people. It asks hard questions, it isn't superficial, and it is spiritually intimate even. But, as I said, Kylan has already discussed this. What I did want to say is a thank you to Switchfoot and the members of that band. Thank you for making this music that moves the soul and is not just acoustic fluff.

What makes a good band? Good music? Lyrics? Image? Maybe. Many bands deemed good have those things. But that doesn't mean that the band is good because of those things. What is music for in the first place? I can't say with a good conscience that it is purely for entertainment. After all, if you believe as I do that there is a God that has created the universe and orders it such that all things are for his glory, then you will agree that music must somehow glorify God. It is a vehicle for our praise and glorification of his name. And many people would despise the very thought of glorifying God, let alone make music to glorify Him. But Switchfoot and Jon Foreman haven't. If you can't respect them for anything else, at least acknowledge how brave and bold they are to do it as popular musicians.

There are many bands out there that do live out their faith, and Switchfoot is just one of them. But what I appreciate from Switchfoot furthermore is their sense of creativity and musical essence. Their style has changed over the years, but most of their songs carry some new musical idea, some sonic sculpture to wrap your mind around. You could say that they are the antithesis of the Beach Boys when it comes to musical diversity. Songs like Circles, in 5/4 time, are what really challenge the regular pop listener. And the range of musical instruments is stunning. Strings, harmonica, guitar, drums, horns, and the ever mutable keyboard synthesizer are just a part of the mix.

And when it comes to lyrics, Switchfoot is not shy to either serenade or rebuke the listener. And this is good, because it stimulates thought. The words don't leave the listener untouched. It is a movement of the soul, rippling through the individual. And you know that it wasn't just something written on the surface. This is deep material from the deepest core of the writer's heart. And to have the courage and strength to share that with anyone who will listen is staggering.

But most of all, I respect Switchfoot because they don't give themselves up. Not to the society, not to their own struggles, not to popularity. If there is one thing they surrender to it is to the truth. There is a Swahili proverb that says, "Speak silver, reply gold," and the conversation that Switchfoot holds with our world today is characterized by their ability to do this, to speak silver and reply gold.

So, once again, thank you. Thank you Switchfoot, for daring, for playing, for being musical, lyrical, and philosophical gems in a field of life where so much is worthless glitter. Thank you for being true.

This and more at Dupyshon.com