Switchfoot and Relient K are two of the most popular bands in Christian
music. Their rock has reached Christians and non-Christians alike. This week
finds new and repackaged releases from Relient K and Switchfoot, so make
sure to stop by your local store after voting! To honor the three-disc
Switchfoot set, we offer you classic cMusicWeb.com reviews for two of the
albums.

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NEW WAY TO BE HUMAN - SWITCHFOOT (1999)
by Dan Ficker

Switchfoot's sophomore album brings many new delights for the listener, and
is more focused and stylized than their first album. These California
surfers came up with a song which was undoubtedly the anthem of this past
summer, "New Way to be Human", but also went much farther, creating a whole
album about this topic. Their blend of alternative rock starts the song with
this weird noise and three little bells, and develops into a chorus of
crunchy guitars singing "there's a new way to be human", and finally
climaxing in "You're a new way to be human ~ Where my humanity bends ~ To a
new way to be human ~ Redemption begins." The disc focuses on the New Way to
be Human throughout, further elaborating on the message of the title track.
"Incomplete" tells of our need to rely on God to "let yourself be found!"
The first ballad of the disc, "Sooner or Later", begins with the emptiness
without Christ that one feels and climaxes to full-blast guitars singing, "I
throw it all away ~ With everything to gain ~ And I'm taking the leap ~ With
dreams of sinking." With a couple fun horns throughout the song, "Company
Car" is a quirky song rejoicing in the "Company Car" that Jesus gives us.
Jonathan Foreman's personal ballad, "Let that be Enough" is a highlight of
the disc, very plain and simple, contemplating the mysterious ways God
works, and how we don't know His secret plans. Starting with some quirky
sounds from the far east, "Something More" tells of the story of Augustine
realizing that "There's gotta be something more ~ Than what I'm living for ~
I'm crying out to you." It's my favorite song on the disc, with the loud
guitars, simple lyrics, and silly noises at the start and end. In worship to
God, "Only Hope" tells simply of surrendering our life to God. The next song
is "Amy's Song", and Amy is "out to start a fire", to ignite people with the
Holy Spirit. Loud, crunchy guitars again define "I Turn Everything Over",
again talking of giving oneself up as a New Way to be Human. And finally
"Under the Floor" quietly ends the album, emphasizing that God is
everywhere. New Way to be Human is a fun album that emphasizes the joy,
struggles, and explores life in Christ.


LEARNING TO BREATHE - SWITCHFOOT (2000)
by Josh M. Shepherd

New Way to Be Human was 1999's summer-defining, industry-consuming
heavyweight, and Switchfoot's latest steps in where it left off. Keeping
human ways "new," and every day fresh are the themes of Learning to Breathe,
an unconquerable, but not necessarily advanced, project. Rummaging through
common tensions and feelings, "I Dare You to Move" awakens to redemption
with a tight, nippy band backup. The title track looks past self-realization
to God-realization, employing a textured melody that falls a bit flat on the
chorus. Keenly expanding on the wonder of everyday forgiveness, the first of
the Jacquire King-produced tracks, "You Already Take Me There," transfixes
listeners with steely bass lines, and crusty, distorted guitar. An
unmanageable barrage of noise and voices (including gospel artist Darwin
Hobbs) sway to "Love is the Movement," a smooth, groovin' dance that
definitely stands out on Learning to Breathe. Frontman Jon Foreman's droll
humor is woven into "Poparazzi," an absurd ditty mourning how cheese-pop is
so catchy. Between the merriment and moderation lies "Innocence Again," a
70s-styled song that grapples with the identity of self. "Playing for Keeps"
tries to make sense of the give-and-take nature in relationships, even as
track eight speculates on one called "The Loser." Illimitable and beaming,
"The Economy of Mercy" gasps at the Lord who got us this far despite
humanity's bruises. Flipping gears from 'neutral` to 'overdrive` in a matter
of seconds, Switchfoot's "Erosion" cracks the hardest of hearts with a
revelation that the Spirit crumbles us to make room for Himself. The "I need
a second shot again" bridge of this track is a moment where you hear the
improved brilliance of these twenty-something guys. Self-produced, the
finale reckons that "Living is Simple" in some fitting lines about doubts
and choices. Both unsettled and unmoved, Learning to Breathe greets the
sunrise with a smile, and rocks with an all-embracing message that audiences
need to hear. "We don't have to slow back down."

Find out more about Switchfoot at cMusicWeb.com:
http://cMusicWeb.com/modernrock/switchfoot


MORE NEW STUFF ON cMUSICWEB.COM

Review: Reset EP - Mute Math
http://cMusicWeb.com/modernrock/mutemath/reset.shtml

Review: The Passion of the Christ: Songs - Various
http://cMusicWeb.com/pop/passionsongs

Feature: Meanderings Part 4: Sub-Creation and Peter Jackson
http://cMusicWeb.com/features/meanderings/subcreation1.shtml


AVAILABLE TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2 (at cMusicWeb.com or your local music store)

PURCHASE THIS MUSIC AND MORE AT GRASSROOTSMUSIC.COM:
http://www.grassrootsmusic.com/?associateid=249

DEVOTION - NEWSBOYS
After the success of Adoration, it's only logical for the sales team to
convince the band to do another. This time around, the Newsboys contribute a
bit more original material but the disc still falls flat compared to their
signature rock releases.

DICHOTOMY B - GRITS
Hip-hop/rap duo GRITS are trying to leave a big mark on Christians and the
mainstream alike, and they just might get their wish. From what we have
heard, Dichotomy B is easily the better album, employing less female-backed
R&B and instead delivering more real GRITS hip-hop.

THE EARLY YEARS: 1997-2000 - SWITCHFOOT
What? You thought Switchfoot had only one CD? Well, since you're a newbie,
you definitely need this collection. Instead of paying $10-15 for each of
their three earlier albums, get them all together for $20. This 3-disc
"boxed set" features The Legend of Chin, New Way To Be Human, and Learning
to Breathe so that you can get caught up with their entire back catalogue.

LIVE IN JAPAN DVD - STACIE ORRICO
If you are a teen girl, you probably have worn out your Stacie Orrico CD by
now. Although there's been no word when you can expect a new Stacie Orrico
project, this young superstar delivers a feature-packed live DVD filmed
during her tour in Japan. Elaborate sets, choreographed dancing, and
screaming fans are all over this show.

MMHMM - RELIENT K
2000 brought the arrival of these guys from Ohio, and since then they've
completely blown up. For the first time, their new album actually gets
mainstream representation. The songs we've heard feature lead singer Matt
Thiessen on keys much more than on previous efforts, while the same
fun-loving spirit of punk rock exists. The only thing missing is a
mainstream push of "Sadie Hawkins Dance", probably their most infectious
song to date. Don't miss this week's PICK OF THE WEEK!


Thanks for reading this week's cMusicMail, and we'll be back next week with
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to this e-mail or send them to webmaster@.... We'd love to hear
from you!

Dan Ficker
http://cMusicWeb.com/
a different approach to music
AOL IM - dMusicWeb