Jon Foreman - Spring and Summer
A few months ago I reviewed the first part of a solo project by the lead singer of Switchfoot, Jon Foreman, a double CD called Fall and Winter. Well, now comes the other two seasons namely Spring and Summer.
I really enjoyed Fall and Winter but for me Spring and Summer has taken things up a notch to really show the depth of Foreman’s talent. All of the songs seem to be steeped in scriptural references and spiritual metaphors and some of them are very challenging. I think it is musically even better to, the songs feel more positive and the melodies more memorable.
The Spring CD starts of with March (a prelude to Spring) which is a happy start, it moves on to Love Isn’t Made which appears to be about struggles in relationships, with backing vocals by Jon Foreman’s wife, Emily. Then In My Arms shows us the joy to be found in relationships. Baptize My Mind is one of my favourites on Spring, it’s one I found myself singing along to having only listened to it a couple of times. Next up Your Love is Strong is a beautiful song with powerful lyrics about God’s love with lines from the Lord’s prayer throughout it. The final song Revenge seems to be a throw back to the darker songs from Fall and Winter.
The Summer CD kicks off with a Mirror is Harder to Hold, which reminds me to take the log out of my own eye before looking at the speck in another’s. Resurrect Me is more like a Switchfoot song with a strong chorus. Deep in Your Eyes brings us back to the more contemplative style these CDs have been characterised by. Instead of a Show is another favourite of mine with it’s very direct challenge to the church, “Instead let there be a flood of justice, an endless procession of righteous living…instead of a show”. The next song is Foreman’s adaption of the 23rd Psalm, The House of God Forever which I’ve found myself singing along to repeatedly over the last few days. Once again Foreman keeps the production in the family with vocals provided by his sister-in-law, Sarah Masen. The CD ends with Again, a slower more thoughtful song which is really a prayer “Holy Holy, you alone are true, turn us back towards you”.
So if you liked Fall and Winter you will love Spring and Summer and you should buy this record immediately! There’s also a lot more in there for Switchfoot fans and those who just want to listen to some inspiring lyrics that speak about God’s love for us in a real way, so you should go out a buy it too!
