Switchfoot, a power pop trio from the San Diego, Calif., area, are well-scrubbed surfer dudes (two college students; one recent high school graduate), who have been as influenced by New Wave artists like The Police and XTC as current modern rock bands like Sugar, Jellyfish and Everclear. I first listened to The Legend of Chin in a small songwriter's studio, with a nervous label exec waiting for my opinion after every song. Because I was stunned that a young band could exude such talent and charisma, I left the studio glassy-eyed and speechless. And for the next week, Chin was the only tape I played in my car. Three months later, I'm still finding reasons to listen to it regularly. When you base your approach on classic pop, as Switchfoot has, success depends on how completely you make that sound your own; the innovations which separate copycats from pioneers. Switchfoot plays intricately-arranged songs that are lyrically and musically smart, without being self-consciously clever. Chin is simultaneously brilliant and effortless, and already on my short list for one of the 10 best albums of the year. When you find a writer as promising as Jonathan Foreman, it's tempting just to recite a laundry list of terrific lyrics (OK, let me cite just a few examples). "Bomb," which leads off the disc, finds Foreman thanking God for revealing Himself by exclaiming: This is the bomb that I've been waiting for, looking for/ You finally lit the fuse that's in my head; or "Chem 6A," which addresses apathy while never actually talking about chemistry class and "Might Have Ben Hur," which spoofs the title of that classic biblical film while lamenting lost love. Just as captivating is the way Switchfoot's music draws you in. For the most part, the band avoids a "verse-chorus-verse" approach to writing; for example, "Life and Love and Why" features four distinct melodies without ever hitting what one would call a chorus. Then, there's the mysterious "Chin," of the album title and song "Ode to Chin." It wouldn't be sporting to give away too much of the game, but suffice it to say you won't be disappointed as you learn more about this "legendary" character. That sense of humor is only one of many aspects of Switchfoot's debut which makes the young band so charming.
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2000Reviewed by Josh SpencerPicked this one up solely for the cool band name and album title which reminded me of those old kung-fu movies. Later, I found out from their review in Surfing Magazine that the guys in the band are surfers from San Diego, which made me want to like them even more (surfing is my passion). Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised but not as impressed as I wanted to be. Throughout the album these guys…The Phantom Tollbooth 2000Reviewed by Bert Gangl / Mark MarusIt is scarcely likely that the fact that the members of the San Diego trio Switchfoot, in addition to being modern rock musicians, have also competed at the national level in surfing and garnered various product endorsements in their sport, is common knowledge. But, while that information seems destined to wind up a trivia question in the year 2010, the band's name, a surfing term for a person…The Lighthouse Unsorted 1998Reviewed by Bert Gangl / Mark MarusIt is interesting that the members of the San Diego trio, Switchfoot, in addition to being musicians, have also competed at the national level and earned various product endorsements in the sport of surfing. Even at first listen, it would appear that the group has chosen a name which closely reflects its approach to music. The term "switchfoot" refers to a person who is able to surf alternately…Similar sounding releases
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2005Nothing Is Sound
1999New Way To Be Human
2004Live in San Diego (Video)
2000Learning to Breathe
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