Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

JFH Music Review


Switchfoot, 'The Beautiful Letdown (Our Version) Deluxe Edtion'
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Switchfoot
The Beautiful Letdown (Our Version) Deluxe Edtion



Artist Info: Discography
Genre(s): Pop / Rock / Cover Songs
Album length: 25 tracks
Street Date: September 15, 2023


READER RATING:   


Switchfoot's album The Beautiful Letdown is a stellar record. Additionally, it’s my all-time favorite record from them and it's been a big part of soundtracking my life. So, when I heard the news of a favorite band re-recording a favorite album, I got nervous. Thankfully, my anxiety over potentially tinkering too much with long-loved tunes was much ado about nothing. Mini-crisis averted. Then shortly after its release, my curiosity was certainly piqued to hear of a Deluxe version was on the way with some well-known names in the music industry each taking a swing at a TBL track. If the band themselves had played it faithful to the originals, maybe artists like Ryan Tedder (OneRepublic), Relient K, Colony House, Owl City, and Tyler Joseph (Twenty One Pilots) would swing big and make these songs their own. Further still, perhaps an artist previously unknown to me would produce a pleasant surprise.

Alas, I’m bummed to report that nearly every hope and expectation was met with bland karaoke versions of these classic songs that leave me as cold as the electronic elements littering the tracklist. It also causes me to wonder why artists with such renowned creativity would take the safe rendition route. Too much of the album skews electro/pop, and it smacks too deeply of this moment in music, no doubt meaning it will lack any timeless factor or produce any staying power. Was there too much of a time crunch on delivering the songs for release? Are the artists afraid of potential fan backlash if they shook it up too drastically? We’ll likely never know, and while some fans of the covering artists and Switchfoot may enjoy what's here, I resoundingly do not.

For instance, Jon Bellion sings the heck out of "Meant to Live," and the string swells are gorgeous, but the auto-tuning and over-singing have me pining for the rocking original. The drums on "This is Your Life," covered by Noah Gunderson, are mixed so high I couldn't hear or enjoy anything else in the song. Skip. Then, "More Than Fine" follows with clanking percussive sounds that detract from an otherwise decent version from Monica Martin.

But most disappointing to me was that Ryan Tedder phoned in participation on my favorite Switchfoot song of all time, "Dare You to Move." He shares the song with Switchfoot's Jon Foreman, singing verse one and the chorus, and Tedder taking verse two and a chorus with nary a wrinkle from the original version sonically. Hopefully there is more to the story going on there, because I can't for the life of me understand it. Secondarily, Tyler Jospeh's straight take on "Twenty-Four" is such a wasted opportunity. He could have brought so much innovation, creativity, or nuance to the song (like he does in his two-piece band, Twenty One Pilots), but brings nothing but his voice to the table. Ultimately it's a pleasant, but boring cover.

I could go on, but rather than wax poetic about my "not-so-beautiful-letdown," I'd be remiss if I didn't highlight the few songs that work. Those would be Relient K's ramped-up version of "Ammunition," the chilled-out "Redemption" by Colony House, Owl City's take on "Gone," and Ingrid Andress' haunting performance of "On Fire." She is my biggest surprise among the previously unknown artists, and "On Fire" has the biggest chance of sticking on a playlist for me going forward. Owl City does his thing, and the playful tone of the original is given his typical smile-inducing pop whimsy. "Redemption" has always been a deep cut favorite, and I was glad to hear Colony House slow the tempo and give it a smoky room feel. Lastly, I truly dig the punk-like vibes Relient K brought to "Ammunition." I only wish they'd leaned a little harder into the chugging rhythm to harken back to their own musical roots. But all in all, coupled with the rough vocals that Matt Theissen employed, I thought they more than did the song justice.

Unfortunately, this Deluxe Edition of The Beautiful Letdown (Our Version) (which does at least tack-on a couple bonus tracks to Switchfoot's portion of the album that were only previously available if you'd purchased the album through Switchfoot.com) is mostly a miss. I wish I could say anything else about it as a big fan of many of the artist's work, but repeated listens are not helping lessen the initial disappointment. All in all, I'll be sticking with the non-Deluxe Edition and won't be giving any additional listening time to this lackluster covers project past this review.

- Review date: 9/14/23, written by Josh Balogh of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

 

. Record Label: lowercase people records
. Album length: 25 tracks
. Street Date: September 15, 2023

  1. Meant To Live (Jon Bellion Version)
  2. This Is Your Life (Noah Gundersen Version)
  3. More Than Fine (Monica Martin Version)
  4. Ammunition (Relient K Version)
  5. Dare You to Move (Ryan Tedder from OneRepublic Version)
  6. Redemption (Colony House Version)
  7. The Beautiful Letdown (Jonas Brothers Version)
  8. Gone (Owl City Version)
  9. On Fire (Ingrid Andress Version)
  10. Adding To The Noise (Dayglow Version)
  11. Twenty-Four (Tyler Joseph from Twenty One Pilots Version)
  12. Monday Comes Around (Sleeping At Last Version)*
  13. Meant To Live (Our Version)
  14. This Is Your Life (Our Version)
  15. More Than Fine (Our Version)
  16. Ammunition (Our Version)
  17. Dare You to Move (Our Version)
  18. Redemption (Our Version)
  19. The Beautiful Letdown (Our Version)
  20. Gone (Our Version)
  21. On Fire (Our Version)
  22. Adding To The Noise (Our Version)
  23. Twenty-Four (Our Version)
  24. Monday Comes Around (Our Version)*
  25. In My Blood (Our Version)*
    *Unreleased B-Side

 



Leave a Comment

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

Search JFH




This Tuesday, November 19, 2024
SINGLES
Mat Kearney Certainty - Single (independent)

This Wednesday, November 20, 2024
ALBUMS
1K Phew Let Go Let God: The EP [Reach]

SINGLES
Drew & Ellie Holcomb High Seas - Single [Magnolia]
Sleeping At Last Let It Snow - Single (independent)

This Thursday, November 21, 2024
ALBUMS
The Choir Translucent (independent)

SINGLES
Wilder Woods Curioso [Dualtone]

This Friday, November 22, 2024
ALBUMS
Coqui I'll Still Have Christmas Day - EP [DREAM]
for KING & COUNTRY A Drummer Boy Christmas (LIVE) [Curb]
The Kingsmen Decades: Vol. 3 & 4 [Horizon]
Jonathan McReynolds Red & Green - EP [Capitol CMG/Motown]
NEEDTOBREATHE Acoustic Live Vol. 1 (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
NEEDTOBREATHE Live From The Woods (CD Reissue) [Omnivore]
R.kitect Vicious Circles - EP (independent)
Run51 Let's Celebrate - EP [DREAM]
Since The Death His Heart Hates - EP [The Charon Collective]
Van Zant Always Look Up [Frontiers Music]

SINGLES
7eventh Time Down I Speak Jesus - Single [BEC]
99 APEX Find A Way Freestyle - Single [Syntax]
Cory Asbury You're Still The One - Single [BEC]
Ashes Remain Lost Light - Single [BEC]
Paul Baloche Angels We Have Heard On High/Glorious (feat. Sarah Kroger) - Single [Integrity]
Elan Brio Sun Rays - Single (independent)
ELEVATION RHYTHM At the Altar (Acoustic) - Single [Elevation]
Amy Jay And So It Goes - Single (independent)
Jericko Holy Ground - Single [Syntax]
Reece Lache' Energy - Single (independent)
Vic Lucas Presha - Single [Syntax]
MŌRIAH Winter Wonderland - Single (independent)
Cliff & Antoinette Murray O Emanuel - Single [DREAM]
Katy Nichole When I Fall - Single [Centricity]
Makenzie Phipps O Holy Night - Single (independent)
Procyse, Dave A. You’re Not Free - Single [Polished Arrow]
River Valley Worship This is Our Jesus (feat. Moriah Christian) - Single [BEC]
Seph Schlueter Stay (Gonna Be Okay) - Single [Provident]
Jordan Smith How Great Thou Art - Single [Gaither]
TKE3 Found (feat. Leya) - Single (independent)
Vineyard Worship Royal Son - Single [Integrity]

VINYL
NEEDTOBREATHE Acoustic Live Vol. 1 (Vinyl Reissue) [Omnivore]
NEEDTOBREATHE Live From The Woods (Vinyl Reissue) [Omnivore]

Next Thursday, November 28, 2024
VINYL
Van Zant Always Look Up Vinyl [Girder]

Next Friday, November 29, 2024
ALBUMS
Sixpence None the Richer Dawn of Grace (Deluxe) [Flatiron]
Thrive Worship Christmas, Vol. 2 - EP [Integrity]

SINGLES
ICF Worship Light of the World - Single [Integrity]
Selah Glory Hallelujah (feat. Mike Weaver) - Single [Integrity]
Slow Salvation The Ghost of Christmas Past - Single [Velvet Blue]
Uche Agu, Revival Today Worship Medley of Hymns - Single [DREAM]

VINYL
Sixpence None the Richer Dawn of Grace (Deluxe) Vinyl (Record Store Day Exclusive!) [Flatiron]



For all release dates, click here!
 



Check out the new album from Taylor Holland Armstrong!



Listen to the new Single from Second Adam and the New Creations!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images