Switchfoot has released their much anticipated album, Fading West. Hyped up with their documentary tour last fall, their latest is the soundtrack, and what a soundtrack it is!
The album begins with the single “Love Alone Is Worth the Fight,” which is a strong song, though I feel as though “Who We Are”, another song from the Fading West EP may have been a better choice, given its understated beginning notes (“1,2,3,4,5…”) that build up to a great track.
The album is completely different from other Switchfoot projects, though still completely recognizable (which they lightly discussed in the documentary). They’ve used different instruments, more instrumentalists, giving their kids spots as background vocalists, etc to give it a fuller sound.
I prefer the second half of the album myself, but all of the tracks are strong and fit together well. My favorite tracks were “Saltwater Heart”, and “Back to the Beginning Again”. Aside from “Where I Belong” from Vice Verses (their 2011 release), “Back…” is one of their strongest closing songs I’ve heard.
All in all, Switchfoot’s done it again with their catchy lyrics, multi-talented musicians, and all-around fantastic music with Fading West.
