The Beautiful Letdown is, in my opinion, Switchfoot's best album. It was the band's last as a four-piece band. The line up was:
Jon Foreman: vocals, guitar
Tim Foreman: vocals, bass guitar
Chad Butler: drums
Jerome Fontamillas: guitar, keyboards, vocals
Meant to Live - 5/5
This song, like most Switchfoot songs, is a real treat if you're listening with headphones. That is because they often mix up what plays out each ear. However not too much as to make it annoying; it is a perfect mix. The beginning has the opening guitar riff playing out alternating ears and it creates a very cool effect with a very original riff. The chorus of Meant to Live is very catchy. Jon Foreman is able to hit a certain note that makes it sound great.
This Is Your Life - 4/5
To be honest, I feel that Jerome Fontamillas' keyboard openings and weird tech grooves ruin every song and they really give this song a beating. Thankfully, the vocals by Jon Foreman really make up for it. The chorus is, again, very catchy. Three minutes in to the songs, the band stops playing and it is just Jon and deep keyboard notes, and it creates a great middle to the song. This then builds up and transitions into the finale chorus. While the lyrics of This Is Your Life don't have the depth of some Switchfoot songs, it is a great song.
More Than Fine - 2.5/5
I do not like the opening to this song. However, 15 seconds in, the acoustic guitar comes in and sounds really good, and continues to throughout the song. I found that the acoustic guitar was really all I liked in this song. The lyrics aren't very strong and Foreman's voice sounds different than usual, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, it just doesn't work for me.
Ammunition - 4/5
I really love the drum opening of this song. Then, the bass is the second instrument to play. This achieves a very neat sound. I think the sound of this song is just fantastic and it is supported by very great, deep lyrics.
I have no generation
Show me my motivation
One world one desperation
One hope and one salvation
Dare You to Move - 5/5
This is my favourite song on the album, and is also my favourite Switchfoot song. The opening minute with the acoustic guitar and accompanying lyrics sound awesome. My favourite part of this song is whenever the chorus starts. Jon Foreman sings "Dare you to..." before the rest of the band even starts playing the chorus and it has a really fresh, original sound. It also has some great lyrics.
Maybe redemption has stories to tell
Maybe forgiveness is right where you fell
Where can you run to escape from yourself?
Where you gonna go?
Where you gonna go?
Salvation is here
When Foreman sings the word "here" from the "Salvation is here" line, he hits the high note perfectly. This is Switchfoot's best song.
Redemption - 2.5/5
While this is not a bad song, I never particularly liked it. It has a good overall sound but is not very catchy. What I'm trying to say is that while there is nothing wrong with this song, there is also nothing great about it either.
The Beautiful Letdown - 3/5
Jon Foreman's opening "Yeah, yeah" seem to set the mood for the song. The "I don't belong here" part of the song seems to bring back the old gospel feel the band once had. Personally, I am glad that they got away from that sound but a small reminder of it every once and a while isn't a bad thing. The band doesn't do anything original with this song but it seems this song revolves around the lyrics anyways so it doesn't really matter.
Gone - 4/5
I can't stand the opening of this song; from the opening keyboards to Jon's weird voice samplings. However, it gets better and develops a very original sound. The lyrics almost seem like a teenage anthem to me, touching on cell phones and relationships and such.
On Fire - 5/5
This is the album's ballad and it is nothing short of amazing. Once again, Jon Foreman perfects the songs with flawless vocals.
Adding to the Noise - 5/5
These lyrics are the deepest of the albums and are some of my favourite of Jon's work. The song also has a good guitar riff. But this song really is about the message Jon is trying to send.
Stepping out of those convenience stores
what could we want but more more more?
From the third world to the corporate core
we are the symphony of modern humanity
Twenty-Four - 5/5
When you hear this song, you'll know why it is the exit track for the album. It is much more mellow and it left me with the feeling, "What a powerful album". The only thing I would've changed would be that I would not have ended the song with a fadeout. Don't get turned off by the first 30 seconds of this song, continue to listen; this is a fantastic song and is the perfect end to a classic album.
