Switchfoot : Oh Gravity

Switchfoot Oh Gravity Label: Sony Ask any fan of modern Christian rock, and they'll tell you - Christian music as a whole is BAD. Even David Bazan tried to distance his Christ-influenced Pedro the Lion from the label for fear of being sucked into the radio-friendly Brady Bunch groups or attracting an audience of weirdos (sorry, but it's true). But San Diego's modern rock group Switchfoot have been successfully walking the line between rock arena and youth sanctuary for six albums now, and their latest, Oh Gravity, is another solid entry in the catalog of non-crappy Christian rock albums. Anthemic, moody and genre-diverse, Switchfoot have a tremendous talent for incorporating soaring U2 anthemic writing with middle eastern rhythms or a Motown funk. Produced by Tim Palmer (Pearl Jam, The Cure, U2) and Grammy-winning executive producer Steve Lillywhite, there's no question the power drums and distorted guitars on Oh! Gravity have a radio sheen, but this is still better than anything you'll hear on your local Peter, Paul and Mary FM station. And there's some serious content here without hitting anyone with a bible. For example, "Dirty Second Hands" comments on the dehumanization that comes with technology and "Awakening" is a commentary on recovering child-like naiveté in today's culture. Stream the album here The group is touring all of the US and Canada in Feb. and March.