The Beautiful Letdown Review

Released: Feb 25, 2003
Genre: Rock
Styles: Christian Rock, Post-Grunge, Alternative CCM
Number Of Tracks: 11

Sound:	9.5
Lyrics:	9.2
Impression:	9.7
Overall rating:	9.5
Users rating:	9.1
Comments:	6

overall: 10

Featured review by: musicluvrfl1, on june 29, 2004

Sound: The style is a sort of grunge and rock and layed back. It's a fun CD to rock to, but it's also nice to just sit back and listen. The beats are good. The style is pretty up-to-date. However, it doesn't sound like most bands. It's got a less grundgy sound, but still keeps the rock sound, which still sounds awesome. // 10

Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics are fun but also inspirational. Like the sound, the lyrics vary in depth. A song like "Gone" is fun sounding, but the lyrics for something like "Twenty-four" are layed back and inspirational. I find I can relate to what he says in all of the songs. // 10

Impression: Compared to other artists, these guys sound amazing. A Beautiful Letdown is so much fun to listen to. These days, since I first got the album a few weeks ago, it's been in my CD player in my car, and I almost can't stop listening to it. I would recomend it if you like bands like Three Days Grace or 311. They kind of share that sound. // 10

overall: 9.3

Reviewed by: life_247, on december 23, 2003

Sound: Since this is the First review of the album here's the listings etc.
1. Meant To Live
2. This Is Your Life
3. More than Fine
4. Ammunition
5. Dare You To Move
6. Redemption
7. Beautiful Let Down
8. Gone
9. On Fire
10. Adding To The Noise
11. 24

This is the bands 4th Studio album, legend of Chin, A new way to be Humanand Learning to breathe. This time the Formane boys and drummer Butler are joined by new member Jerome Fontamillas. The Beautiful Letdown improves on the unique sound of switchfoot, with the storming amunation and catchy Gone. Its a real Idie/Rck record and I love it to bits, it brings a smile to my face everytime. The opening meant to live is a real shock to the system and plays with stero speakers. // 10

Lyrics and Singing: Jon Foremans vocals are as catchy as ever on the track gone and reach new hieghs with Adding to the noise and ammunation. Classic Switchfoot vocals are attained with the opening meant to live and this is you're life. But the slow On fire isnt great, and the title track isnt great. // 8

Impression: Overall Switchfoots 4th Studio Effort is my favorite, it has great songs including the new, Dare you to move (Re-recoreded off Learning to Breathe). But the Great Ammunation, meant to live, gone, adding to the noise and are all great great songs that stick in you're head all day. There really isnt anyother banf like switchfoot. My Main gripe with this album is the order at which the songs are in. To me it doesnt seem to fit. But it's a great album by a truly unique group so support them and check it out.

Unforntunately the album and all their other ones are only avlible on american import here in the uk, amazon.co.uk does it for £12.99 so it's not too pricey but dont expect to find it in you're local shop. // 10

overall: 9.3

Reviewed by: unregistered, on march 03, 2005

Sound: The Beatiful Letdown sounds great. It combines great rock and roll songs and guitar riffs in the songsmeant to live and ammunition and excellent vocal and insrumental songs in Dare You To Move, Twenty-Four, and Beatiful Letdown. The album has many creative intro's to their songs that I have never heard before like on this is your life, more than fine, and gone. Overall I must say that the sound is really good and almost excellent. // 8

Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics in The Beatiful Letdown are some of the best I have heard of. On each song the lyrics are very well thought of and have lots of meaning and give the listner lots of thought and reflection. The lead singer of Switchfoot Jon Foreman is an excellent singer and has lots of vocal skills. // 10

Impression: The Beatiful Letdown can compare with many different artists and groups it it great because it so differrent from song to song. You don't get tired from hearing the same tune. The most impressive songs from this album are Meant To Live, Dare You To Move, Ammunition, and The Beatiful Letdown. This CD is a keeper and is great on anyone's album collection. If I lost it or someone stole my copy I would for sure purchase another one. // 10

overall: 9.3

Reviewed by: afirocker00, on june 10, 2004

Sound: A very unique sound with very well thought out and organized guitar licks. I'm especially fond of the dun in "Meant to Live". The sound is very reminenscent of nothing I've ever heard. // 10

Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics are very positive. This is an album you won't be afraid for your children to listen to. The songs are all very unique and no two songs sound the exact same. // 8

Impression: Switchfoot really did a good job on this album. It's a break from the over-used hard rock feel. Very refreshing. The first single "Meant to live" is what first got me listening to Switchfoot. "Dare you to move" is the second track from the album. This is one of the cds you can really listen to without shuffling through tracks. If you're looking for a mellower sound than usual,go out and get Switchfoot's "The Beautiful Letdown", because unlike the title, it's not a letdown. This Christian-rock group offers a more positive sound than so many other bands out there today. So pop it into your cd player and chill out. // 10

overall: 9.3

Reviewed by: aquaknight3, on august 09, 2005

Sound: The sound of this CD is amazing. I think people could debate on this, but I really think it sounds great, I listen to this CD a lot. They have some good, more rock type music (Meant To Live), and some soft, peaceful music (On Fire, Twenty-Four). I, knowing how to play all these songs, enjoy very much how they sound, and when I pick up my guitar and start playing, Switchfoot's will be one of the random songs I'm almost always going to play. // 10

Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics are good, but not the best though. I think it's great that every one of their songs are Christ-based, but I think they could have been a little bit more creative. Some of their songs' lyrics are wonderful. But it's harder to memorize their lyrics than other band's just because the lyrics don't flow like some do. Overall, They're really good, but not the best. I think the vocals are really nice, it fits really well with the music. So I give their lyrics a 4. // 8

Impression: I have just a few things to say here. Switchfoot is an awesome band that makes great music. It makes a great influence on people; good Christian music has that wonderful effect. And oh yes, I would definately buy this album again. // 10

overall: 8.3

Reviewed by: Gerard Way Jr, on may 10, 2008

Sound: As usual for me, I listened to Switchfoot on the radio and other sources before I bought this. I waited every day for 'Meant To Live' (track 1) to play. Well, looking back, I can see why I did. The Beautiful Letdown (2003) is a thrilling and artistic piece from Switchfoot, one of their best albums, if not the best. They adapt a more grundge-based sound in this album, moving farther from their folk roots. Well, they certainly nailed it. I am absolutely amazed at how Switchfoot took off with TBL. The deluxe edition has three extra tracks, including an awesome new version of "Dare You To Move" (track 5 on the original album). // 9

Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics are very well written, making subtle references to a greater power amongst tradgedy, loss, and confusion. They leave a ray of hope for the listener. "Twenty Four" (track 11) and "On Fire" (track 9) are probably the deepest songs, with acoustic guitars and piano, repectively. The lyrics and music mix well, and will often leave listeners singing along (and, perhaps, tuning their imaginary guitars down to Drop D to play 'Meant To Live?') with Jon Foreman. // 8

Impression: Many other artists over shadow Switchfoot, as very few christian or contemporary christian artists are very popular. Switchfoot seems to be one of the more popular ones, though, and for good reason. They really delivered a great album, unique to their past work and, in my opinion, far better. The best songs are tracks 1, 5, 7, 9, and 11. I love the diverse grundge that Switchfoot is starting to lean toward on this album, though I dislike tracks like 10 and 8, though that may just be because I'm not particularly fond of pop. Overall, an outstanding job, Switchfoot. // 8

overall: 9.7

Reviewed by: Stealthbass, on december 12, 2005

Sound: This CD is adult alternative pop/rock, post-grunge. But it is also Christiann rock. Switchfoot is a great acoustic sounding band. They join energy, power, and rock and make a melodic acoustic rock sound. Their is sad, loud, and happy packed into this album. This is their 4th Cd let out. // 9

Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics are so good. They fit the music prefectly. They are not annoying. The lyrics make you sad, and happy and have a soothing feeling to them. Jon Foreman leads the sound of the music with his powerful lyrics. His skills are spectacular. // 10

Impression: This CD is among the best pop-rock CDs. The most impressive songs on this album are: Meant To Live and Adding To The Noise. The sound is almost perfect through out the whole cd. Sometimes you can lose interest, but this CD will not disappoint you. I love the pop-rock sound. If it were stolen/lost I would buy most likely buy it back. // 10

overall: 10

Reviewed by: unregistered, on june 08, 2004

Sound: I really enjoyed the sound of Switchfoot. They are a rock band that plays more typical rock songs but also knows how to slow it down. The guitars are awesome and Jon Foreman has a great voice. Their songs also vary from up-beat songs like "Gone" to slower songs like "24". Also there are some pretty good bass parts that complete everything. I really like the drummer too and overall I think that they are a great band. // 10

Lyrics and Singing: Their lyrics really are deep if you are willing to think about them. I think that Foreman has a great voices and their lyrics are meaningful and make since. It is easy to relate to many of their songs and they can be motivational. // 10

Impression: They really are a unique band and I love them. I got hooked by the hit song "Meant To Live" but I love every single song on the CD. It is a great by and I recommend it to any type of rock fan and even people who might not always like rock because it is such a good album. // 10

overall: 10

Reviewed by: unregistered, on december 26, 2003

Sound: Five star. Catchy, flavorful tunes which you find yourself humming constantly. If you have heard 'Meant to Live', you know what I mean. From a guitarists' standpoint, they maintain musical excellence without confusing the listener. In track 7, the title track, they make it clear that they can not only rock, but can also be inordinately suprising. In track 5, rather than complete 4 bars of 4, they cut it down to 3 bars of 4 for part of the song, as if to show listeners that they do have this sort of musical talent. // 10

Lyrics and Singing: In this album, Switchfoot shows us all why they have one of the fastest selling cds on Billboard. As well as blowing us all away with their well-phrased music, their lyrics are excellent as well. For example, see track 8, 'Gone'. Rather than go back into another chorus as most other bands would, they choose not to. Instead, they go on a creative tangent, talking about everything and everyone from Elvis to Bono to Al Pacino. Throughout the album, the theme seems to be summed up perfectly in their second track 'This is your life'. In the chorus of this song, Singer Jonathan Foreman states 'This is your life, are you who you want to be?'. Coming from a Christian worldview, they are not forceful or imposing in any way, yet still find the lyrics to get their message across seamlessly in a way that keeps the listener coming back for more. // 10

Impression: I was very impressed overall. I also have their 'Learning to Breathe' album, and was delighted by some of the changes they made, as well as some elements they left behind. But when it all comes down to it, Jonathan Foreman's voice is really what sets this band apart. // 10

overall: 10

Reviewed by: sctblr, on january 15, 2004

Sound: They have an amazing sound, it's kinda different, it's a real happy fun music. Some of the effects on the CD are great, some make you laugh at how different and weird it is, some of it is jus so beautiful. It is an amazing CD. it is amazing and real moving in it's way of creativity, it's rather different from anything out there. // 10

Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics are amazing, if I may put a few (don't argue, I got them right from my CD book). From track 4, Ammunition; "Blame it on what you've been through, Blame it on what you're into, Blame it on your religions, Blame it on politicians" the emotion and meaning behind these words surpasses many other songs that have been put out by many other bands. Switchfoot is a Christian band, if you haven't figured it out and they are so lucky to make it so popular on the 'secular' (a word I hate personally) charts, because their message is so full and rich. I love this CD, one of the best I have bought in a few years. // 10

Impression: Ok, I bought this CD twice for myself already, but than I found it, so I gave one to my cuz, who now loves it so, it rubs off on people, but I love this CD, I would have to say that it deserves a few more million purchases, if it convinces one person to just stand out and say what they believe, I believe it has done somethin many records haven't. I love it. If you don't that's fine, but plz don't bash me for saying I love something, like what you like and that's fine if you don't but let me like what I like, not like it really matters to you anyway, unless you go buy it, then my work is done (this is free advertising, I deserve money). // 10

overall: 8

Reviewed by: unregistered, on april 21, 2004

Sound: The CD Has good sound quality, you can tell it is well recorded. This is a great CD if you like Rock/soft rock music. I really like it, it is a fun CD to listen to, but also the musicians are very skilled. // 8

Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics are very good. If you are a Christian, they can be taken as songs to God, if you aren't, then the lyrics are just fun. Most of the lyrics are good, although "Adding to the Noise" lyrics are kinda stupid. The lyrics go smooth with the music, and the singer is awesome. // 8

Impression: Switchfoot is great if you like Lifehouse, Coldplay, maybe 3 doors down, etc. My personal favorite songs are track 1, "Meant to Live" and track 6 "Redemtion". I love listen to it with friends, we all get in it to it and have fun. I hate the lyrics to "Adding to the Noise". This is a CD that I would buy again if stolen, it rocks, and is great for any rock fan. Also, I am normally more hardcore, but this is a nice relief sometimes. // 8

overall: 10

Reviewed by: UG Team, on may 03, 2004

Sound: "The Beautiful Letdown" is the 4th release of the San-Diego based Christian Rock band Switchfoot. "The Beautiful Letdown" comes three years after Switchfoot's third independently-released and critically acclaimed album "Learning To Breathe."

Often compared with a music of REM, Coldplay, and even Nirvana, Switchfoot's "Letdown" represents the quartet's evolution toward a more accessible sound, it retained the band's raw energy and smart lyrics. Filled with edgy guitar driven rock on tracks like Meant to Live, diluted with softer rock tunes of More Than Fine, Dare You To Move and anthemic alt-rock crunch This Is Your Life, "The Beautiful Letdown" offers an outstanding rock album with a powerful and clear voice of Jon Foreman. What is also impressive is that Switchfoot do have their own sound -- that makes them stand out from the rest of many rock bands these days -- perfectly balanced, tone-suspended, distorted guitars with a sharp and clear "voice". However, you can't hit the band for a resemblance throughout the album, their music varies from a song to song, and that makes you think of a constant searching of the band's weight niche -- perceptible jumps from smooth acoustic tones to a sharp distortion prevent them to be categorized.

Fans of solid guitar rock will fall into love with this album as soon as they hear the opening crunch of Meant To Live -- the song about how much we have strayed away from God. It has very strong intro and nice chorus. People with a softer side of their music demands will be suprized by This Is Your Life -- the band's most anthemic rock crunch since Dare You To Move from 2002's "A Walk to Remember" soundtrack, and More Than Fine -- a sophisticated and catchy alternative pop. However, both songs won't lose anything, if those Madonna-like synths would be turned down. For the hardcore, you can't beat Redemption, Ammunition, and Adding To The Noise. The Beautiful Letdown with a bulged bassline is another decent song. // 10

Lyrics and Singing: There is the only one letdown on the album -- the slight downfall (probably just a stagnation) of lyrics. While avoiding obvious sacred references in their lyrics, they're still using the same formula, which were used by Creed, Jars of Clay and many other Christian Rock acts. They are not overpreaching though. Nevertheless, Foreman's songwriting is impressive, which is obvious by his possibilities to put hidden messages behind the lyrics. // 10

Impression: On one side we have a firm rock album filled up with a mixture of hard rock sounds along with softer pop-rock ballads and alternative passages. Having kept in mind a top production quality, it ends up as a worth product. On another side, this perfection comes close to a pure flat overpolished sounding and it's not easy to take off the feeling that their songs are overproduced and designed to appeal to the widest audience. But it's not obvious and could be easly ignored. All in all, with catchy rock tunes and deep lyrics along with passionate and confident voice of Jonathan Foreman it is safe to declare -- "The Beautiful Letdown" rocks! // 10

Comments

[sethgobucks]

[switchfoot_lane]

THIS IS SUCH AN AWESOME album ITS HARD TO EXPLAIN HOW GOOD IT IS ITS JUST GREAT!!!

[tbarrettl]

I am not a christian rock fan, I like the way the music is not whiny like peers Relient K, It sounds like a good combination of hard rock sound and rock vocals.

[glugger]

how many people listen to them and dont know it's christian?

[CLeprechaun]

This is a good album.Some tracks I'm too fond of,like 'The Beautiful Letdown'.I usually listen to that if I want to feel like I'm on drugs.

[andyflip92]

This was a great album and I enjoyed it greatly