Comments on: Concert Review: Jars of Clay, Robert Randolph, Switchfoot, Third Day, Music Builds Tour at Target Center, Minneapolis MN

By: Ellman

Ellman — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:47:05 +0000

I totally agree with maggie, and all others who have the same opinion, Whatever album you have, you obviously haven't listened to it very closely. I have all of their albums, and everyone is awesome. I was at this show, and have seen them before, and their stage performance has so much energy! When Jon and Tim jump around, they are into their music, they don't just stand around and sit their like they'd rather be doing something else.Their syncopated drum beats, and catchy bass lines, they're one of the hardest working bands out their! Maybe you should listen to the rest of their albums, and then maybe you'll change your mind.

By: rachel

rachel — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 01:03:44 +0000

hmmmmmmm….
porridge,
there is part of me that understands why you got such an impression of switchfoot at an MBT show and part of me that…..doesen’t.
switchfoot’s set on MBT was mostly fan favorites. they didn’t play a lot of their weirder songs (*cries* i wanted to seee dirty second hands live SO bad when i saw an MBT show) and they didn’t mix things up the way they have on previous tours. but “cheesy faux rock” ? c’mon!
just -try to- read the music they come up with! very complicated stuff.
and umm….”druken monkey”? HAHHAHAHA that is amusing. but i didn’t get that impression when i saw them play. they looked to me like they were having so much fun. you’d think after playing these songs for a few years, they would be so bored. but they were actually enjoying it! things were even slightly random, like when someone threw their phone up on stage, and jon was enjoying it.

and umm… popular with the young’uns? my dad is almost 52 and he is as crazy about them as i am (its embarassing cuz he still wants to get in the mosh pit even though he has knee problems) ‘nothing is sound’ and ‘learning to breathe’ are some of his favorite cd’s. and switchfoot is in his top five fav bands (his top five in no particular order: Showbread, Yes, Emerson Lake & Palmer, Switchfoot, Kutless).

By: Phil

Phil — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 12:32:27 +0000

wow, you guys need to chill. I don’t agree with the reviewer about switchfoot either… but you guys make switchfoot fans look childish. don’t take it so personally, It’s just a band after all, not the end of the world if someone criticizes them.

p.s. check out jon’s solo EPs for sure.

By: Jack

Jack — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 23:40:08 +0000

I went to the concert to see Third Day. Which didn’t disappoint. I had no real experience with Switchfoot. I came away an admiring fan. I had NEVER seen a frontman connect with the audience like John Foreman did. I loved it. And am getting acquainted with their music and still loving them. Subtle lyrics that make you think.

By: Azaera

Azaera — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 09:35:11 +0000

Whats up with the drunken mokey part?god,seriously HIS review is so bad its good enough to puke on.SWITCHFOOT ROCKS!!!

By: Melanie

Melanie — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 01:56:26 +0000

I saw the music builds tour, and I preferred Switchfoot to Robert Randolph. Don’t get me wrong, I really got into RR’s set, but it isn’t as much the style of music I listen to. I thought they were amazing musicians and I was impressed. I definitely wouldn’t mind seeing them again.

I can tell you that I actually like Jon’s vocals (SF) and that often plays a big part in the music I enjoy. I don’t quite like it as much when he does the more “talky” parts, although I think he does that well, but I like his vocals. And personally, I don’t have much problem with catchy tunes, I suppose. I just like what I like. I also can’t see a lot of their songs fitting on radio at all (I can’t imagine On Fire being particularly radio friendly.) I don’t see the point in overanalyzing music I like, though. If you don’t like it, I don’t have a problem with that, either. As for Jon’s stage presentation, I actually like that as well. He likes performing, and I think it shows. It’s probably just a matter of preference here. I like it, you don’t.

And I am not one of the young’uns, either, unless you are counting people in their 50’s. :)

I am curious what you’d think of Jon’s solo stuff. I think Fall and Winter are the best, especially, “Learning How to Die.”

Anyway, I saw the show in Phoenix, and I enjoyed all of the bands. Jars, Third Day and Switchfoot have been favorites of mine for a while now.

By: Courtney

Courtney — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 16:48:01 +0000

Just clocking in with my two cents. As I’m not a musician or music professor or anything, I really can’t tell you anything about formulaic structure (although, have you listened to Oh! Gravity? doesn’t strike me as a big top-40 radio sell out album)… I just know what I like when I hear it, and I love Switchfoot. I saw them play this past September in Orlando Fl, and the show was incredible – they put on an amazing live show, with unbelieveable energy. And I do think your drunken monkey comment was just a bit harsh – Jon clearly gets really into the music, and he carried our crowd along with him. And I agree with a previous poster’s comparison to Bono, pretty similar movement style there. I’m definitely not one of the young’uns you mentioned – I saw the band perform live for the first time shortly after I turned 39 – I danced, jumped, and stood on my tiptoes through the entire set because the music just didn’t give me any other choice. Too bad that they’re not your thing; maybe try giving their CD’s a fair listen, you just might change your mind…

By: pam b from sc

pam b from sc — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 15:08:30 +0000

i didn’t get an answer to my previous question.

“whadda ya mean by â€œformulaic structure of the songs?” (Oct.15)

the reason i asked is because i am sincerely curious as to how you define switchfoot’s songs that way.

peace,
pam

By: chickiepoo

chickiepoo — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 14:34:51 +0000

“Most of you mention lyrics in your love of SF. Thatâ€™s really interesting to me, because most Christian bands seem to be lyrics (the meaning behind the song) first and melody second.”

I hate to say it, but duh. The focus SHOULD be on the lyrics. In my opinion, that’s what is (and probably always has been) lacking in popular music.

That’s not to say the music itself isn’t important. A poetic beauty will fall flat without a sound that can communicate. That being said, music falls on subjective ears, and not everyone will like what they hear.

But formulaic? Switchfoot? They may their share of catchy riffs but I’d hardly call that formulaic. I’ve always felt their songs wrapped around the lyrics, not the other way around.

If any of those four bands falls into formulaic, it’s Third Day. I have nothing against them and occasionally enjoy listening to them (and you’re right, they are tremendous worship leaders), but almost all of their songs follow the same chord pattern i.e. they all sound alike.

Although I was not at this particular show, I have seen all of these bands live (except RR). Switchfoot has best live show hands down. Jon’s antics on stage are what they call passion, my friend, something sorely lacking in the Christian realm.

By: maggie

maggie — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 01:46:14 +0000

gosh, so many hateful/rude/accusatory comments…you know, you can disagree with the man’s review without making switchfoot fans look unintelligent and hot-headed.