I admit, it’s mind-blowing to think that two decades have passed since San Diego rock band Switchfoot released their career-defining fourth studio album, The Beautiful Letdown on February 25, 2003. All kinds of changes for the trio surrounded the release of the album, from being completely without a record label for the first time since their 1997 debut, to adding two full-time official band members to their roster, Jerome Fontamillas (of Mortal and Fold Zandura fame) and All Together Separate’s Drew Shirley.
I have a vivid memory of seeing the band live at Creation 2002 on the Fringe Stage when they ripped into “Meant to Live” for my first time ever hearing the song. I remember standing next with a good friend and blurting out “Finally!” It was about time the band really leaned into a more edgy, rock and roll sound. And by the time a copy of The Beautiful Letdown fell into my hands later that year, I was thrilled to hear this more aggressive Switchfoot.
As a trio consisting of two brothers – Jon and Tim Foreman – and their friend Chad Butler, the band released their first album The Legend of Chin in 1997. I remember hearing it when my older brother, who worked at a Christian bookstore at the time, brought home a demo of the album release. I think it had been the music video for “Chem 6A” that had first caught my attention, and I ended up giving the full album a try. Although I ended up really loving the record, it never quite lived up to the catchy pop rock sound of that single and video. But as a teenager, the girl-focused lyrics of the melancholy sounding songs spoke to a young guy’s lovesick heart. (“Might Have Ben Hur” and “Don’t Be There” especially said it all. And of course, “Life and Love and Why.”) I’ve been a fervent fan of the band ever since.
But The Beautiful Letdown was anything but a letdown. It felt like a culmination of everything Switchfoot had been leading up to. Their second record, New Way to Be Human, was a little edgier than their debut, and Learning to Breathe was a bit more mature and pensive. The Beautiful Letdown was kind of the byproduct of these kids continuing to mature as artists, and the new additions of Shirley and Fontamillas (especially evident in “This is Your Life” with its electronic flourishes).
“Meant to Live” kicked off the record fiercely with driving guitars and a theme about living life for a greater purpose. “This is Your Life” continued this theme, as well as “More Than Fine,” an acoustic-driven pop number about persisting to live life “more than just okay.” They kicked up the rock again on the fast-and-furious “Ammunition,” and then revisited Learning to Breathe’s album opener, “Dare You To Move,” by re-recording it for this album. It’s always kind of weird when bands carry forward a song from one album to the next with several years in between. Anberlin did it with “The Feel Good Drag” (by leapfrogging Cities to cover it again on New Surrender), and other bands have often done it with radio versions of previous hits (like Audio Adrenaline’s “Ocean Floor”), but it isn’t a very common practice.
“Redemption” is a good track, but sadly one of the more skippable ones on The Beautiful Letdown, especially because it’s sandwiched between the hit “Dare You to Move” and the fun and funky title track. Again, it’s actually a good song, and captures more of the feel of older Switchfoot songs (It probably could have fit well on Learning to Breathe), but it just isn’t as memorable as many of the songs on this record.
From the title track, we get the super fun “Gone” which feels cut from the same cloth as “Company Car” and “The Loser,” and is easily an album standout. And then the record comes to a screeching halt for the piano ballad “On Fire.” It may be soft and slow, but it’s a beautiful song, and another Switchfoot staple.
Now, if you were lucky enough to get the original pre-release version of the album, “Monday” (also known as “Monday Comes Around”) is another fun and catchy pop rock anthem that was originally wedged between “On Fire” and “Adding to the Noise.” Jon Foreman apparently didn’t think it fit the album, so it was cut. Since then, however, the song was given a second chance by being released on deluxe versions of this record and some other collections. To this day, I wish the song had stayed on the album. After all, “Adding to the Noise” was a fitting follow-up to it.
“Adding to the Noise” is another faster pop-rocker that still frequently sticks itself in my brain. It’s probably one of the band’s more underrated songs. And, to end the album on a truly memorable and meaningful note, we’re given the closing ballad, “24.” It’s another beautiful song that is easily one of the band’s best ballads.
Twenty years. Two full decades. The Beautiful Letdown. It’s a major turning point in the band’s career, and it helped pave the way for the many albums that have released from these guys since.
What memories do you have of this stellar album? Favorite songs? What has The Beautiful Letdown meant to you?
Let us know below!
— John DiBiase
This one’s a Top 5 album all-time for me! No skips and 5 Stars!
yeah the closest thing to a skippable track is adding to the noise. not my fav. one of the best albums of all time, along with Vice Verses.
In my opinion, this is The Album that launched Switchfoot. Meant to Live’s has popped up on so many bumpers from the NFL to various talk shows over the years. I was never a big fan of Meant to Live’s opening riff. I have been so happy to see Switchfoot’s style progress over the years with solid lyrics and music style. John Foreman’s engaging live show style roped in a dynamic fan base that keeps coming out to see them play…See yah at Forty 😉
I didn’t realize it had been 20 years – wow!
I have the Deluxe edition. 🙂
“Gone” has always been a favorite Switchfoot song of mine, and it always will be – fun music, fun lyrics, and a solid message that makes you think.
I remember when The Beautiful Letdown came out it introduced me to Switchfoot. Meant To Live and I Dare You To Move were my favorite tracks from the album and I remember they would get played on the radio a lot. I never knew Dare You To Move was a re recorded version from Learning To Breathe. Can’t believe it’s been 20 years.
Pretty sure Drew Shirley was not part of this album… when he left the band, they even said “Drew joined us shortly after the recording of our fourth album.” Or was he part of the re-release?
Either way, I love his album. I’m not sure which song I like best, but Dare You To Move sounds better on this album than it did on Learning to Breathe. I also love This is Your Life. Ballad-wise, both On Fire and 24 are outstanding.
Not every Switchfoot album resonates with me fully, but I have them all and appreciate their musicianship and passion for people and God. Keep up the great work, Switchfoot!
This album has always been a favorite of mine when I first heard it as a teenager. There really aren’t any weak tracks on the album, although “Dare You to Move” and “24” are standouts for me. Probably the only album of theirs I find myself going back to after all these years.