Jon Foreman, the lead singer of San Diego-based Switchfoot, says of his band’s name: “To switch your feet means to take a new stance facing the opposite direction. It’s about change and movement, a different way of approaching life and music.”
After six albums from the California surfer boys, Foreman and the crew are back with Hello Hurricane, released on November 10. Apparently the whole “different approach” philosophy has been put on the backburner, as the album is inherently pedestrian.
Some of the tracks have potential, but quickly dissolve into clichéd radio drudge. “Mess of Me,” the lead single, offers a heavy blues take on the pharmaceutical industry. Foreman croons away while the band trucks along behind him, filling in with twangy riffs that would seem more at home on a Wolfmother record. But the song’s momentum comes to a quick halt when the sing-along pop-punk chorus arrives, and Foreman’s mindless lyrics certainly don’t pick up the slack. The song’s hook: “I want to spend the rest of my life alive.” That’s deep.
The title track resolves to a similar fate. The introduction of “Hello Hurricane” is a breath of fresh air, as a sweeping array of vocal melodies float over the rich atmospheric reverb. The oohs and aahs work beautifully, serving as the calm before the storm. After an MGMT-mashed-up-with-Coldplay-esque verse, the song descends into yet another melodramatic pop-punk chorus about a love strong enough to withstand the mightiest storm.
Switchfoot is working hard with the tired formula ever so common in contemporary rock. They’re trying to cater to everyone, hoping that the dudes will dig the face-melting stomps and the chicks will tear up to the touching ballads. In reality, what they end up with is boring collection filled with the repetitive tricks of Nickelback and blink-182.
Hello Hurricane is no more or less accessible than any other Switchfoot album, so fans of hits “Meant to Live” and “Dare You to Move” should have no problem finding the album enjoyable. But by the same token, the band shouldn’t expect a parade of new fans jumping on to the bandwagon.
4/10
