It’s no accident we’re here tonight. We are once in a lifetime.

What a way to open the record! Switchfoot certainly chose a solid tune to lead the way. Echoing guitars emerge from the darkness to herald the band’s first musical statement in three years. Drummer Chad Butler joins in and adds to the fray, quickly creating complicated musical landscape. However, the intro to this song is misleading.

To start the first verse, all of the noise is stripped away. We are left with voice of Jon Foreman, the lead singer, in a subdued lower register. He is accompanied by his brother, bassist Tim Foreman, who starts with a persistent pattern. This combination gives a strong sense of beginning, an indication that something new is about to start. The lyrics agree, saying, “The world begins / with newborn skin.” Here the first verse is serving a dual purpose: it is setting the stage for not only the rest of the song, but for the album as a whole.

By the time the chorus comes around, the rest of the band gets back into the mix. Chad peppers in some snappy snare riffs, and Drew Shirley adds double-time arpeggios on lead guitar. The lyrics confront the seeming meaningless of life and conclude that everything happens for a reason. It’s a carpe diem song that emphasizes the uniqueness of the individual by declaring, “We are once in a lifetime.”

Overall, this is a good opener for Hello Hurricane. It’s a catchy tune with a good hook, and it will capture the interest of a new listener.

(This post is part of a series on the new Switchfoot album, Hello Hurricane.)

Hello Hurricane is the latest album from Switchfoot, an alternative rock band from San Diego, California. This post summarizes my progressive song-by-song review. Starting on the release data, November 10th, I will be publishing one song review per day until I’ve covered the entire album.

‘Needle and Haystack Life’

It’s no accident we’re here tonight. We are once in a lifetime.

What a way to open the record! Switchfoot certainly chose a solid tune to lead the way. Echoing guitars emerge from the darkness to herald the band’s first musical statement in three years. Drummer Chad Butler joins in and adds to the fray, quickly creating complicated musical landscape. However, the intro to this song is misleading.

To start the first verse, all of the noise is stripped away. We are left with voice of Jon Foreman, the lead singer, in a subdued lower register. He is accompanied by his brother, bassist Tim Foreman, who starts with a persistent pattern. This combination gives a strong sense of beginning, an indication that something new is about to start. The lyrics agree, saying, “The world begins / with newborn skin.” Here the first verse is serving a dual purpose: it is setting the stage for not only the rest of the song, but for the album as a whole.

By the time the chorus comes around, the rest of the band gets back into the mix. Chad peppers in some snappy snare riffs, and Drew Shirley adds double-time arpeggios on lead guitar. The lyrics confront the seeming meaningless of life and conclude that everything happens for a reason. It’s a carpe diem song that emphasizes the uniqueness of the individual by declaring, “We are once in a lifetime.”

Overall, this is a good opener for Hello Hurricane. It’s a catchy tune with a good hook, and it will capture the interest of a new listener.

‘Mess of Me’

I want to spend the rest of my life alive.

‘Mess of Me’ was the first single from Hello Hurricane. It represents the lamentations of a fallen man and his longing to live up to his full potential.

Switchfoot chose to give this song a driving, earnest tone, which is particularly appropriate for the subject matter being presented. To me, the best part of this song is the backing vocal that leads into the chorus. Tim and keyboard player Jerome Fontamillas create an ethereal sound that contrasts nicely with the rough guitars and the pounding drums.

Although this is a strong tune, it was a risky choice for the first single. It’s an entirely new sound for Switchfoot, more harsh and in-your-face than any of their previous work. Of course, after a few listens, it’s easy to see that this is a genuine Switchfoot song. I’m glad the guys are not afraid of exploring new sounds if that’s what it takes to get their message across.

‘Your Love Is a Song’

The dawn is fire bright against the city lights.

More than any other song on the album, ‘Your Love is a Song’ has what it takes to stand the test of time. It is a heartfelt offering that finds its power in melodious lyrics and spacious chords. Jon’s vocals seem a bit sparse at times, but this underscores the emotions of vulnerability and honesty. Drew’s tasteful guitar work soars over the swelling chords to provide a completely uplifting feel.

In order to fully understand this song, you have to know its history. ‘Your Love is a Song’ is part of a musical trilogy. It all started with a track on Oh! Gravity called ‘Let Your Love Be Strong’. In that tune, Jon Foreman prays for God’s love in his life. Then came a track called ‘Your Love is Strong’ from Jon’s solo Spring album in 2008. Jon uses that track to explain his realization that God’s love never fails, even if we fail to see it. ‘Your Love is a Song’ completes the journey, reveling in the beauty and perfection of God’s love for us.

Switchfoot has made its name on emotional, meaningful, inspirational music. This tune continues that tradition, and I could see it becoming one of the most appreciated songs that the band will ever produce. ‘Your Love Is a Song’ is definitely my favorite song from this new album.

‘The Sound (John M. Perkins’ Blues)’

‘Enough to Let Me Go’

‘Free’

‘Hello Hurricane’

‘Always’

‘Bullet Soul’

‘Yet’

‘Sing It Out’

‘Red Eyes’

A while back, I signed up to become a book review blogger for the Thomas Nelson publishing company. This means that the company agreed to send me free copies of some of their books as long as I read them and post reviews on my blog. At first I was hesitant to sign up for this program, due to the potential conflict of interest. My concern was eliminated, though, when I discovered that positive reviews are not required, or even encouraged. The company’s policy is: “First and foremost, we want nothing but complete honesty in your reviews.”

My intent is always to provide an unbiased opinion of any product or service that I review on this blog, regardless of its source.

I am writing this post to provide complete transparency regarding my professional relationship with the Thomas Nelson publishing company. An additional disclaimer will be displayed on my Book List page and on each post that reviews a Thomas Nelson title. These measures are being implemented to comply with FTC guidelines.

A Million Miles in a Thousand Years is the latest book by Donald Miller. Its release is today, and here is my review.

All too often, we lack perspective. We go about our daily lives focused on the here and now, neglecting to look at the bigger picture. Donald Miller finds himself in that position at the beginning of his new book, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years. The story begins when a screenwriter obtains the movie rights to Miller’s memoir. Miller becomes a co-writer of the screenplay, only to realize that his life is quite uninspiring. He starts taking a longer view of his life, changing habits and pursuing goals that made for a better story.

At first, I was relatively unimpressed with A Million Miles in a Thousand Years. It seemed to me that Donald Miller spent the first few chapters navel-gazing and whining about his relatively comfortable life. But then I discovered that this was by design. After his own “inciting incidet” occurs, Mr. Miller’s voice changes and becomes full of energy. He returns to being the dynamic writer we’re all accustomed to.

As I read about how he biked across the country, climbed Machu Picchu, and started a charity, I began to feel more personally motivated. By the time I turned the last page, I was ready to take control of my life and turn it into an epic story. Even though Mr. Miller’s books are usually pretty light on theological concepts, I really appreciated his discussion of God as the ultimate storyteller. This book is a real page-turner, be prepared to read it cover-to-cover once you crack it open.

Memorable quotes from A Million Miles in a Thousand Years:

“A story is a character who wants something and overcomes conflict to get it.”

“The point of the story is the character arc.”

“…the idea that a character is what he does makes as much sense in life as it does in the movies”

I am a Thomas Nelson book review blogger.

There’s a new Max Lucado book out today. It’s called Fearless, and I recently had the opportunity to read a pre-release copy.

One thing’s for sure: we live in a scary world. Our country is fighting two wars, the economy is in shambles, and we don’t feel safe in our own neighborhoods. Fear is a habit for most of us: we lock our doors, avoid dark places, carry pepper spray, hoard away money, anticipate terrorist attacks, and avoid strangers like the plague. If only life could be more carefree!

Max Lucado would argue that our lives should be more carefree. His new book, Fearless, makes this argument from a biblical perspective. With each chapter, Mr. Lucado identifies, analyzes, and debunks another one of our common fears. He covers fears of violence, insignificance, death, failure, and more. The reader is encouraged to face life with more courage and confidence, and Mr. Lucado makes his case in a friendly, compassionate way.

One of the best features of Fearless is the collection of discussion questions that accompany each chapter. They will inspire good conversations about practical matters, making this a good book to read with a friend or study in a small group.

This book is presented in a very candid, relaxed style. It would be a good read for a lazy Saturday afternoon. However, since it was written this way, the reader could get the impression that Mr. Lucado skims over some of our more legitimate fears. It would have been nice for the author to spend more time on the distinction between healthy and sinful fear.

I have already recommended this book to many of my friends and family. The Bible clearly instructs us to live fearless lives, and Mr. Lucado’s book can help us take a step in that direction.

I am a Thomas Nelson book review blogger.