The final installment of Jon Foreman’s solo EP-ic solidifies his place amongst the best of innovative, spiritually attuned singer-songwriters. Fall/Winter, which collected the first two installments of his seasonally themed, time released EP’s, though wonderful in its own right, merely set the stage for the stellar songs featured on its follow-up.
Spring/Summer better captures the mood of those seasons than its predecessor did its own. Beginning with the lilting “March (A Prelude to Spring)” (which rests wonderfully in a happy nether region between the best of Sufjan Stevens and Tom Wait’s lazy polkas), this double EP delivers song after song of meaningful, inventive acoustic music. Yet for all the creativity of the production and instrumentation, Foreman keeps one foot firmly planted in the world of spirit. This one is, perhaps, more outwardly religious than his prior solo release. (And, thank God, it avoids the cheesy sentimentality and trite clichés that sometimes plagues Foreman’s lyrics with Switchfoot. For instance, this saccharine sampling from Oh Gravity!: “We all have the same disease; a deficiency of love.” Gag me.)
This collection of songs is so near to perfect musically, lyrically and spiritually that it makes criticism difficult. Your blood pulses through “Resurrect Me”, feeling the desperation, pain and hope of self-mortification and new life. The prophetic damnation of “Instead of a Show” creates chills. (At one point, in “…Show”, Foreman even manages to evoke the strained vocals of Conor Oberst.) All this, and there is an apparent cameo of Ron Burgandy on “yazz flute” in “Baptize my Mind.”
Yes. Criticism is difficult. But possible. One could argue that the influence of Sufjan Stevens is a bit too obvious—that perhaps this is not influence but imitation. A few of the songs (such as “Deep in Your Eyes”, “A Mirror is Harder to Hold” and “Again”) almost get lost in the genius that surrounds them. Not to mention that there are so many stand out tracks (“March (A Prelude to Spring)”, “Baptize my Mind”, “Revenge”, “Instead of a Show”) that…well, there isn’t really a single song you want to keep playing on repeat.
But that’s not much of a criticism. Just do what I do: put the whole thing on repeat and play…constantly. Be warned, however. Doing so will inevitably raise one question: Why is Foreman still wasting his time with Switchfoot?
~T Clair
Artist: Jon Foreman
Album: Spring/Summer
Release Date: June 10, 2008
Our Rating: 9.5
June 10th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Wow, sounds great! Gonna have to check it out! Glad to have a Tyler review up again!!
June 10th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
[...] 2008 Stuff and Things, June 10, 2008 Posted by t clair under Stuff and Things 1) My latest review is up at the Hill. This time I critique Jon Foreman’s amazing Spring/Summer double [...]
June 10th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
Great Review, but Switchfoot is what made Jon what he is today. I don’t think he can impact the same number of people with just his solo works as he can with the great band switchfoot. He isn’t wasting time with them. :P
June 10th, 2008 at 10:53 pm
right. it’s just that his solo stuff is much more compelling, don’t you think?
June 11th, 2008 at 1:53 am
i believe that jon foreman has amazing talent and a great vision he wants to accomplish in life and in music.
he did say, that doing a solo record would help him release more intimate and vulnerable stories and tunes to the public. to be a lil more personal…and this was a way for him to grow musically and spiritually as well.
to venture of and do something by himself….
and he also said that he loves solo performances cause of the meaningful and intimate environment he receives…but still misses having great big anthems a huge stage band performances.
there is power and authority in playin in Switchfoot…a different in lyrics and direction. in Switchfoot his songs are more of directing the listeners, and pushing out questions, or even strong convictions or stands belted out through his songs with Switchfoot, like “dare you to move”, “Awakening”, “meant to life”.
Jon gets joy and satisfaction from both Switchfoot and his solo works. He loves the guys in the band - they are practically his bros. and he loves touring with them…he wouldn’t give that up for a solo career ever.
He will do well in everything he sets his mind to, and i believe with “Fiction Family” -with sean watkins…and another solo combination record. Jon has alot more on his sleeves and he is a workaholic who loves his “job”.
He is never wasting his time…trust me. fans and listeners will always benefit from Switchfoot’s songs as well as his own deep, personal ones.
:) as i hope you do too.
June 11th, 2008 at 9:44 am
I never heard of Foreman, but he sounds important, like a guy who should be in charge. Nice review, makes me want to find this Foreman and, I don’t know, ask him for a job…or buy his music. This was high praise, which is usually reserved for people like Bob Marley. Anyway, thanks cluing me in to this dude.
June 11th, 2008 at 9:51 am
I went to a Switchfoot show recently and was blown away. Their live performance is absolutely electrifying. I fell in love with their A Beautiful Letdown when it first came out. Actually, I was a fan for a long time, circa Legend of Chin. I still think they are one of the better rock bands that cater to the MTV crowd.
Some elements of Switchfoot’s work is lost on me. I sometimes feel like they repeat themselves too much, and can be a little cheesy. But they have their place, and I appreciate them greatly.
Per my comment about Foreman leaving Switchfoot: I certainly hope he doesn’t. I understand that a band is like a family and wishing a breakup is like wishing a couple to divorce. I was merely trying to provoke, which it looks like I have! Many thanks to you both for not making this an argument but rather a meaningful dialogue.
I hope Foreman continues to stretch his wings…especially excited to hear about a team up with Shaun Watkins!
Thanks for the comments!
June 11th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
I’ve been a fan of Switchfoot’s since the begining. Jon is one of the most prolific songwritters i’ve come to know. His work touches people on many levels. Unfortunately i live in a part of the world where it takes months for new stuff to get here so I havent had a chance to listen to all Jon’s EPs but the songs i’ve heard are amazing and i think he’s broken very many boundaries in terms of connecting with the audience and wearing his heart on his sleeve. i dont know of any other artist who strips emotionally like he does. he shows such vulnarability and he’s very daring with the stuff he writes about.
He certainly has a lot to offer be it with solo projects or with Switchfoot but i highly doubt he’d concider leaving.
June 11th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Whoever wrote this is out of their minds… jon foreman is NOT “wasting his time” with switchfoot!!!!!!!!!!!! They are the same frikking songs! They are just too slow to be “rock band” material.
June 11th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
I certainly hope Foreman didn’t do this project just so he could make “slow music”. If so, the genius of it is a happy accident.
June 11th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Uh. Tyler, let me come to your defense.
Tyler’s point was not that Switchfoot is a bad band or that they play bad music. On the contrary, he even wrote that he has long been a fan of them. His point was rather that this EP is a remarkable display of imagination, talent, and excellence in craft. That final sentence was more of a rhetorical question.
Don’t worry. He doesnt really think Switchfoot is a waste of time! =)
June 11th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
I love the power of a good rhetorical question. Fine job Ty.
Oh and I will vouch for him too…
Don’t worry. He doesn’t REALLY think Switchfoot is a waste of time! =)
June 12th, 2008 at 9:48 am
[...] Hill, I posted my review of Jon Foreman’s latest. I’ve received a bit of criticism for an innocent rhetorical question. Jump in and let’s hear your opinion Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)More [...]
July 23rd, 2008 at 7:57 pm
i agree that jon’s ep’s are awesome =] but the stuff about switchfoot’s lyrics being cheesy make ME wanna gag. i like that some. if u dont like switchfoot then u have crappy taste in music.
July 23rd, 2008 at 7:59 pm
jon isnt wasting his time with switchfoot. you should be fired. no offence.
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:05 pm
I agree with kellie!!! he is definitely not wasting his time with Switchfoot. YOU NEED TO BE FIRED!!!!!!! Switchfoot’s lyrics are FAR from cheese!!! ep’s are amazing tho:)
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:10 pm
the cheeseiest thing about switchfoot is that fact that chad like to eat cheese.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=vZ2dqcVwcHA
July 23rd, 2008 at 10:24 pm
If anyone is interested, my response to comments such as the four above may be found in my previous comments.
It’s probably a good idea to read all the comments on a post to avoid the redundancy we’ve just been subjected to! Sorry if I’ve offended anyone by offering a balanced opinion.
December 9th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
[...] Foreman - Fall/Winter & Spring/Summer [...]