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    HM Magazine #86/Switchfoot
    Switchfoot — Learning to Breathe cover

    Switchfoot

    Learning to Breathe

    (2000)

    Reviewed by The Kern County Kid

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    Label Sparrow Records / re:think RecordsHM Magazine #86November/December 2000
    alternative rockmodern rockpop rockpower pop

    When I turn on MTV or VH-1 these days, I'm likely to see and hear a melodic pop band like this (Posies-influenced pop bands). Switchfoot plays a smart pop with Jonathan Foreman's super clean vocals and brother Tim and drummer Chad Butler's harmonies dancing over the top with an invitation to sing along. This band could take up residence on the radio airwaves. "I Dare You To Move" is slick enough to top the Christian CHR charts, but "You Already Take Me There" buzzes with an energy that could survive in the mainstream. The harmonies of "Love Is The Movement," however, are so CCM drippy that it takes restraint not to yank this from the disc player and hurl it across the room in hard music anger. It's good, but like 1,000 other bands on the radio. I've given this album five chances, but I think I'll take it out of my CD player now.

    Other coverage for this album

    The Rebel Base 2001Reviewed by Josh HurstOne of the nice things about Christian music is the way that many Christian artists can have such a positive impact on your spiritual life. A lot of my records have influenced my walk with Christ for the better. No band has had such a profound positive influence on my spiritual life, however, as three-piece pop rock band Switchfoot. Switchfoot's sophomore album, New Way to Be Human, had a…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Steve StockmanWhen Switchfoot appeared on Charlie Peacock's Re:Think label in 1997 they were all Californian surf and sun. They were good looking boys playing poppy songs and though there were a few hints of potential it all seemed a little too early -- apart from those 16 year old girls! New Ways to Be Human two years later was a much meatier proposition in both the sound and the lyrical insight. Learning to…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by James StewartWith Charlie Peacock once again at the production helm, Switchfoot's third album continues in the intelligent power pop direction of its predecessor. It's a catchy album with plenty of energy, but doesn't seem to quite capture the potential which their debut promised. Switchfoot's Jonathan Foreman has always had a good turn of phrase at his disposal and this album shows him continuing to apply…ReAL Magazine 2000Reviewed by Dean M.The third album by this California trio should be enough to raise Switchfoot's status to one of Christian music's elite rock bands. Like the two previous albums, Learning to Breathe combines driving rock with gentle ballads--the difference is the experience. The trio of Jon and Tim Foreman, along with drummer Chad Butler, has matured musically since it's last album. The group has added a more…Bandoppler 2000Reviewed by Sucré MusiqueThe music industry creates buzz words, genres, and classifications for artists and bands more often than not. Sometimes we are all guilty of wanting to tuck our favorite bands into the neat little categories we have invented. Considering the many bands that have clung to the label "modern rock," few bands in the Christian market can really truthfully claim it. And while it is an injustice to…

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    Also in HM Magazine #86

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