zorrothepiking's Full Review: New Way to Be Human by Switchfoot
New Way to be Human hit the shelves in 1999 after a reasonably successful release of Legend of Chin. I love this album, and will share my thoughts on it.
If you've ready any of my recent reviews, you may notice a sudden shift in format. This is due to my reading some other music reviews as well as some advice from the current Music Category Lead, bob tomato. Thanks man! Hopefully this will be more useful to anyone considering buying this outstanding album.
THE BACKGROUND -
As I stated, this album comes after Legend of Chin. In my opinion, this showed a huge step... sideways. I am a big fan of the rock-jazz groove in Legend of Chin, and I'm still sad to see it go. Much of the experimentation present in that first album seems to have slipped away. It's replaced, though, by a solid rock album. If you're familiar with the later albums Beautiful Letdown and Nothing is Sound, this will sound much like the Switchfoot you already know.
THE SOUND -
What has made Switchfoot so successful in the Christian Rock scene is their unique form of Rock. This trend started with this album, and has developed with each new release. In New Way to be Human (the song) and Company Car are both indicative of that classic Switchfoot sound. Strong electric guitar, punchy sound, cool riffs, and a catchy melody. At times this gets a little muddy, though this seems to clear up by later albums. Incomplete has a lot of that rock sound, but has some interesting dynamics that make this song stick out to me. I love the way this song moves. It really builds a lot of emotion as it progresses.
Sooner or Later is kinda like a cordial cherry. You start out with a smooth exterior. Silky tones, soft vocals, soothing riffs. Then, just when you think things are winding down, you're hit with a bridge that reminds you that you're listening to a rock band. Energy builds, the electric cranks up, and they rock it for a few lines. Then, somewhat anticlimactically, they roll it back and slowly drift out. I love that one part of this song, but the way it just kinda drizzles out is really disappointing. I Turn Everything Over has strong ending, and is fun to listen. It has some neat interludes that keep things moving along nicely and make this a little different than the normal rock stuff. Unfortunately, it gets a little repetitive, and this song doesn't particularly shine in the album.
Something More is one of my favorite songs on the album. As soon as it starts, you know there's something different about it. It builds energy and momentum from the first riffs, and the song is strong and dynamic. The chorus is a little busy, with an electric that gives a bit of scratchiness to the whole thing, but I still love the transitions and melody. It makes me want to drive too fast.
The rest of the songs on the album are slower, showing some versatility and vocal ability of the band. Let that be Enough is a beautiful song, led with an acoustic guitar and supplemented by some neat effects. A great one to play yourself, too! Amy's Song is similar, but it adds a little hint of rock in there to keep things going. A really great song with some awesome energy! I'm not really a fan of Only Hope because it seems to lack movement. I enjoy it at points, but it doesn't seem to really go anywhere. The same goes with Under the Floor. It's a little rockier than some of the other slow songs, but I don't think it's a very strong way to finish up the album.
THE MESSAGE -
The message of this album is spelled out in the first song (also happens to be the title track!)
There's a new way to be human
It's nothing we've ever been
There's a new way to be human
It's spreading under my skin
There's a new way to be human
Where divinity blends
With a new way to be human
New way to be human
Every song ties into this central theme. And there are a lot of contrasting elements.
Only Hope has some really beautiful lyrics. It talks about finding peace in surrender, and letting God take control. Similarly, I Turn Everything Over sings about completely surrendering everything to God. It also speaks about the change that this surrender will make:
Come break this limbo
And I know You know just who I've been
Come define me
One of my favorites, Company Car, is a tongue in cheek song about sacrificing everything for money and power; trading away his soul for "Parkplace and Boardwalk and 200 bucks." Alternatively, Let That be Enough is about finding satisfaction and contentment in a life turned over to God. It says:
Let me know that You hear me
Let me know Your touch
Let me know that You love me
Let that be enough
Something More is about Augustine. In the midst of his pain, he suddenly realizes that there is a higher calling in life than what he is living. It's a really exciting song to hear. It's almost like a plea, something that means a lot to me. Contrastly, in Amy's Song, Amy is held up as a person who represents this new humanity, a loving and caring person who has passed away. She "burned like a fire."
Sooner or Later is a plea for comfort and Under the Floor tells us that God is always there, watching over us and caring for us.
CONCLUSION -
This is a awesome album both lyrically and vocally. If you enjoy the new Switchfoot, this would be a great addition. If you've never heard them or haven't really enjoyed them, consider giving this thing a spin. You'll be humming Company Car in no time.
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