On Albums: Switchfoot's The Beautiful Letdown

My generation is a generation of music.

We define our lives through lyrics and songs.

Technology has made music a part of us unlike any generation before.

It goes everywhere with us. It affects our moods. It defines who we are.

Ask a person my age what kind of music they listen to.

Their answer will tell you a lot about who they are as a person.

When Switchfoot recorded "The Beautiful Letdown" they weren't even signed to a record label. Nevertheless, when the album was released in 2003 it reached almost instant widespread popularity and  a lot of the songs were played on major market stations despite the obvious Christian themes. 

In rediscovering this CD, I think it's because the lyrics on this album are so powerful and honest. 

I think my generation is searching for honesty and truth. 

We're a little cynical-- maybe a little jaded.

But we're still searching.

don't close your eyes.

this is your life:
are you who you wanna be?


when everything inside you 
knows there's more than what you've heard

there's so much more than empty conversations 
filled with empty words


there's 24 reasons to admit that I'm wrong

and all my excuses, still 24 strong


I want more than just "OK"


the tension is here,
between who you are are and who you could be
between how it is and how it should be


I wanna see miracles,
to see the world change
I wrestled the angel
for more than a name
for more than a feeling
for more than a cause

maybe redemption is stories to tell

maybe forgiveness is right where you fell

where can you run to escape from yourself?
Where can you gonna go
Salvation is here.

I think the search for truth is ingrained in us.

The fact that there is more.

More than the mundane,

More than the everyday,

More than religion,

More than tradition,

More than what we know,

what we dream,

or can even imagine.

There is just more.

I think that's why the songs on this album speak so strongly to my generation.

They certainly speak to me.

we were meant to live for so much more

I dare you to move.