Compilation Review: Jon Foreman, “Limbs and Branches”
For his first solo compilation, Limbs and Branches, Switchfoot front man Jon Foreman abandons his electric guitar in favor acoustic-driven ballads that you might hear at a Coldplay concert.
Limbs and Branches, released Oct. 28, features a selection of songs, plus two new tracks, from four EPs (Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer) that Foreman released earlier this fall.
Foreman’s lyrics are sincere on nostalgic songs like “Southbound Train” and “Broken From the Start,” but other songs seem cheaply constructed, pulling quotes directly from the Bible with one or two words altered. Foreman risks coming off as corny to the average listener in the opening song,”Your Love is Strong,” which is peppered with lines pulled from The Lord’s Prayer.
However, Foreman’s aim isn’t to appease the average listener. As usual, he’s preaching to his Christians fans, who will be happy to hear his more familiar, jumpier tracks like “Resurrect Me,” which sounds like a church-ready version of Beck’s “E-Pro” with its slide guitar and steady handclaps.
Although Foreman is well-known on the contemporary Christian rock scene, this hastily made collection of tracks from his EPs seems like a self-righteous move. It’s Foreman’s first time in the solo arena, so it may be just a bit too soon to be releasing what looks like a greatest hits album. In the meantime, he will have to rely on the faith of his loyal Switchfoot fans for support.
Limbs and Branches is available on Amazon.com, iTunes or Foreman’s MySpace.
Recommended tracks: “Resurrect Me” and “Southbound Train.”
Jon Foreman Tour Dates:
- Switchfoot is also touring this winter for their greatest hits album, The Best Yet, released Nov. 4:
- Dec. 12 8 p.m. @ Cricket Arena in Charlotte, NC
- Dec. 13 8 p.m. @ Hampton Coliseum in Hampton, VA
- Dec. 17 6 p.m. @ Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, NC
- Dec. 18 6 p.m. @ Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA
- Dec. 19 Invisible Children Benefit 7 p.m. @ The Troubadour in Los Angeles, CA
- Dec. 20 6 p.m. @ Gwinnett Arena in Duluth, GA
Wednesday, December 10, 2008 3:33PM
Although Foreman is well-known on the contemporary Christian rock scene, this hastily made collection of tracks from his EPs seems like a self-righteous move. It’s Foreman’s first time in the solo arena, so it may be just a bit too soon to be releasing what looks like a greatest hits album.” – I disagree. Jon has said that this release is for people who don’t understand the EP format. I don’t see him being self-righteous at all.
Thursday, January 8, 2009 10:55AM
I am so sorry that your mind is so shallow that it hinders you from going deep down and understand jon foremans lyrics and music. I am so sorry davidhall that your heart seems so cold that jon singing GODS WORD FROM THE BIBLE is bothering you so much. WHAT ARE AFRAID OF DAVID, WHAT ARE YOU RUNNING FROM, JON'S SONG REVENGE, MUST HAVE REALLY BOTHERED YOU , BECAUSE AS HIS LYRICS SAYS YOU SEEM TO BE HUNG UP WITH THOUGHTS OF REVENGE CAUSING YOU TO DRAW FIRST BLOOD. David is you hate for the CROWN so intense THAT YOU DECIDED TO TAKE REVENGE. I'M SO SORRY DAVID, I FEEL YOUR PAIN AND I WILL KEEP YOU IN MY PRAYERS, PLEASE, PLEASE TAKE ANOTHER LISTEN TO THE SONG REVENGE, THIS TIME SIT BACK CLOSE YOUR EYES AND ALLOW THE LORD TO MINISTER TO YOU THROUGH JON'S BEAUTIFUL SONGS AND LYRICS.
Thursday, January 8, 2009 10:55AM
Dang man it is hard to read a bad review, after he as received so many positive reviews. I completely disagree with David. Come on man, don't let your personal biases against faith discourage the experimentation, rawness and uniqueness of these ep's. By the way, how did you get self-righteous? Wouldn't that imply he would be praising himself and judging us, yet the songs are about him, I mean just a thought.