Say “goodbye” to musical mediocrity with Switchfoot’s latest release
Wayne D. Clarke ’07, Public Management
If you’re looking for a roller coaster ride of melody and lyrics, look no further than Switchfoot’s newest album, Hello Hurricane, which was released in November. Perhaps their strongest record yet, this album will leave no emotional stone unturned. Beginning with the driving beat of “Needle in a Haystack Life” and ending with the melodic “Red Eyes,” this record will, without a doubt, leave you begging for more.
Lead singer Jon Foreman and company clearly had an agenda while writing the lyrics for this release. From start to finish, they deliver a message of hope, love, and purpose. Whether Foreman intended to or not, one could easily conclude that he is singing of God’s love for His people.
The first radio release from the album, “Always,” is amazing. The lyrics, “Hallelujah, I’m a wretched man / Hallelujah, every breath is a second chance,” portray the significance of salvation. “Hello Hurricane,” the album’s title track, drives home the point that nothing can sway us or knock us down as long as we have faith. With its forceful tempo, underlying bass, and catchy intro, the tune easily gets stuck in your head. The lyrics in the second verse are the most powerful of the record. “Everything I have, I count as loss. / Everything I have is stripped away. / Before I started building, I counted up these costs. / There’s nothing left for you to take away.” Foreman makes a strong yet subtle declaration that nothing can overcome the power of God.
Hello Hurricane is easily the best release of the season. While soaking up the eclectic melodies, closely listen to the lyrics – you won’t be disappointed. This record gets an A rating for lyrical content and an A+ rating for musical quality. It’s definitely worth purchasing if you have the funds.
Flyleaf’s highly anticipated sophomore album rocks harder than their first
Samantha Young ’10, Art Education, Artwork Editor
Flyleaf released their sophomore album, Memento Mori, in November. Their self-titled debut record came out way back in 2005, but the long wait for their next compilation has proven to be well worth it. Memento Mori, which translated from Latin means “remember you will die,” is a passionate album about inner turmoil, spiritual warfare, and the redemptive power of Jesus.
Although the lyrics are not like typical church worship music, they reach deep into the soul, effectively describing the struggles people go through in this world of trials, tribulations, and temptation. Memento Mori is powerful in its musical variety, including both pop and alternative rock sounds and a mix of smooth and edgy tempos. Lacey Mosely, the band’s lead singer, demonstrates an incredible range and ability in her vocals to convey strong emotions and experiences. The dark, heavy guitar and percussion in some tracks and the uplifting choruses of singers in others demonstrates the breadth of the human experience in search of purpose and healing.
This album is all about the severity and seriousness of spiritual warfare and pleads its listeners to break the chains of bondage and train for battle by following Christ. Memento Mori includes more blatantly “Christian” lyrics than their debut album, with references to scriptural passages – for example, the track “Beautiful Bride” is taken from 1 Corinthians 12.
Overall, Flyleaf’s music reveals a strong fervor for Jesus Christ as a redeemer, savior, and commander. This album most certainly was not a disappointment in lyrical or musical quality; it surpasses their previous work. I give this album an A.
