Switchfoot – Hello Hurricane

Switchfoot – Hello Hurricane – Atlantic Records – Released 11/10/09 – Reviewed By Tyler Hess

When a band has reached a certain level of success, like rock band Switchfoot has with some MTV play and a whole bunch of albums sold, it isn’t all that shocking when they want to stand back and see what they can really do if given a bit more freedom in the creative process and the time necessary to produce their vision.  Switchfoot has stated that they recorded 80 songs and chose the best of the best for this new album before shopping it to different labels for distribution.  What one might expect is for the band to do something so out there that it could be either completely brilliant or it could totally backfire and alienate the fans that have been with them for so many years and albums.  Sometimes expectations fail to follow through, though, and what we have here is a case of same ole Switchfoot.

Hello Hurricane simply is a further definition of who Switchfoot is as a band and what they do on their albums, thematically, musically and lyrically.  It could be in a song like their first single, “Mess of Me”, where they show their more aggressive rock side that is catchy and buzzworthy as can be.  It also might come in the form of a simple pop song just clearly made for your radio listening ears to ease into.  It could be in the form that “Always” does by sounding almost exactly like parts of “Dare You To Move” did a few years ago.  Most likely, it will come in the form of self-effacement, encouragement and hope.  Jon Foreman’s iconic vocals are ever-present, though the excitement in his voice equates to how much excitement I have for listening to him.  When in my face, I’m prone to listen.  When soft and melancholic I’m more likely to drown him out with my thoughts and forget what I’m listening to.

Truly, if you haven’t heard Switchfoot over the last decade or so, you really haven’t been paying attention.  If you have heard them, you’re likely to hear more of the same.  If you liked them before, there is no reason for you to change your mind this time around.

Grade: B

Tracklisting:

1. Needle and Haystack Life

2. Mess of Me

3. Your Love Is A Song

4. The Sound (John M. Perkins’ Blues)

5. Enough To Let Me Go

6. Free

7. Hello Hurricane

8. Always

9. Bullet Soul

10. Yet

11. Sing It Out

12. Red Eyes