Post by idlewild on Nov 4, 2009 12:45:53 GMT -5
There is absolute no way to listen to Hello Hurricane without reading the accompanying article/statement of sorts together written by Jon Foreman himself, going through intricate details and bringing you through a whirlwind of his thoughts in each and every song in this champion album. You could scorn at the very idea of how music at this age now has to survive with the push of the writer force feeding you his exact inspiration and designs to the song. Should you choose not to read it though, it is still entirely your choice, I can assure that this album would still come out a winner. It would be an absolute loss however if your virgin listen to Hello Hurricane is tempered with noisy surroundings that would not have your full concentration on every single aspect of this album.
Behind all the layers of skin, the concept to Hello Hurricane is simple. My outtake to Hello Hurricane was a completely green move in my books as I’ve always put my own interpretations of music to test first and forming my own feelings that would blanket and cloud the stances surrounding the song. This time however, as the album progresses, unveiling song after song, I read the abovementioned article with revere as I slowly understood and discovered new emotions welling up inside of me. It could be the fact that I’ve been bottled up for so long now, and embracing Hello Hurricane was truly a journey in itself. One that would not be uncovered if I was alone in that journey. I almost sound like I’m preaching here, but I’m not even a religious person to begin with. I feel almost selfish not wanting to share the joys and sorrows of Hello Hurricane with anyone else, knowing well enough that in a life this mundane and trying, I would see through the end of day a little easier because everyone else does not have comfort music this poignant to return home to.
This however, would not be fair to the five hardworking guys of Switchfoot. I daresay this album is their best to date throbbing over Nothing Is Sound that I’ve grown so fond of. They’ve grown even more comfortable as a five piece band, challenging each other constantly and the additional touch by their loyal cellist Keith Tutt is the epitome of the final sixth string being tuned in a guitar, all ready to become the very instrument that would hone thoughts driving them in the right direction and turning a mere idea into wonderfully woven music. The very fact that this album was produced by Mike Elizondo (renowned hip hop producer!) who was responsible for a good number of tracks in Hello Hurricane (the first being Needle and Haystack Life) goes to show acceptance and abandoning all prejudices. The only trouble I had with Hello Hurricane was perhaps the alignment and flow of tracks that tend to show a loud/soft combination in the first half of the album. That being said, I think for those in need of musicians who could constantly and genuinely project the better side of humanity, it’s safe to say Hello Hurricane brings down a (switch)foot firmly in this area.
They just never give up.
(9/10)
Edit: Oops, forgot to include the link to download that accompanying article here.
Behind all the layers of skin, the concept to Hello Hurricane is simple. My outtake to Hello Hurricane was a completely green move in my books as I’ve always put my own interpretations of music to test first and forming my own feelings that would blanket and cloud the stances surrounding the song. This time however, as the album progresses, unveiling song after song, I read the abovementioned article with revere as I slowly understood and discovered new emotions welling up inside of me. It could be the fact that I’ve been bottled up for so long now, and embracing Hello Hurricane was truly a journey in itself. One that would not be uncovered if I was alone in that journey. I almost sound like I’m preaching here, but I’m not even a religious person to begin with. I feel almost selfish not wanting to share the joys and sorrows of Hello Hurricane with anyone else, knowing well enough that in a life this mundane and trying, I would see through the end of day a little easier because everyone else does not have comfort music this poignant to return home to.
This however, would not be fair to the five hardworking guys of Switchfoot. I daresay this album is their best to date throbbing over Nothing Is Sound that I’ve grown so fond of. They’ve grown even more comfortable as a five piece band, challenging each other constantly and the additional touch by their loyal cellist Keith Tutt is the epitome of the final sixth string being tuned in a guitar, all ready to become the very instrument that would hone thoughts driving them in the right direction and turning a mere idea into wonderfully woven music. The very fact that this album was produced by Mike Elizondo (renowned hip hop producer!) who was responsible for a good number of tracks in Hello Hurricane (the first being Needle and Haystack Life) goes to show acceptance and abandoning all prejudices. The only trouble I had with Hello Hurricane was perhaps the alignment and flow of tracks that tend to show a loud/soft combination in the first half of the album. That being said, I think for those in need of musicians who could constantly and genuinely project the better side of humanity, it’s safe to say Hello Hurricane brings down a (switch)foot firmly in this area.
They just never give up.
(9/10)
Edit: Oops, forgot to include the link to download that accompanying article here.