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 modern sound to compliment their style. Some electronically enhanced vocals, which only add to the unique vocals of Jon Foreman, make for an interesting sound. Modern harmonies can also be found throughout the album with some grungier guitars than previous albums.
Learning to Breathe is an album full of different styles of music from beginning to end. Yet the album still has a flow because each style of song has its own "Switchfoot touch" which separates if from sounding like other songs from that genre.
One thing that hasn't changed from their two previous albums is the intriguing lyrics provided by vocalist and primary songwriter, Jon Foreman. From 'Poparazzi,' a fun song about pop culture, "This is a tune for the poparazzi / the who's who and the so's so / this is a tune for the graven images of Marilyn Monroe / we saw you face on a magazine / we heard the song on mp3," to the amazement of God's mercy in 'Living is Easy,' "Living is dying / Your mercy, Your mercy / Is how I believe / Living is dying / I can't understand it / I'm down on my knees / Confessing my needs again."
The album does have a tendency to sound like music of the times. Some of the music almost sounds familiar the first time through because it is so much like mainstream modern pop.
I think Switchfoot has found their niche in this album. A very good combination of instruments, vocals, and lyrics should get Learning to Breathe a couple Dove Award nominations. If you're looking for a Christian group that will intrigue both musically and spiritually, this is the album. This is definitely one of the better Christian rock albums released in the past year.
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…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…Similar sounding releases
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