In the years that Switchfoot has been a band, they have released five records, performed on numerous tours, and
even plowed through enough to gain momentum in the mainstream media world. Now, as the release of their highly anticipated new album
Oh! Gravity. comes to pass, the band has put together a new DVD, to serve as a sequel to 2003's Switchfootage.
This DVD, aptly titled Switchfootage 2, is available through their website or at their shows only.
Switchfootage 2 includes an extended look at the making of the band's newest release, with the obvious title
"Making Gravity." This DVD shows the heart and soul of one of today's hottest bands linked to the Christian music scene, and also shows
how much fun they have together as not just a band, but a family. The main feature is broken up into three sections, with a highlight
on the previous and current tour, many random segments of video that showcase what the band has been going through in the past year or
so, and finally a look at the sessions in the studio while making the new album.
Watching this feature on the disc really opened my eyes to the lives of the guys in Switchfoot. They really poured all they had
into this new album, and they give all they've got every night they do another show. This is one of those DVDs that shows you what the
band goes through, and how they feel about things of importance to them. It shows the passion the guys have for the music they do.
The third part of the DVD is probably features some of the best content, which shows them in the studio, recording Oh! Gravity.
The most intriguing part of this is that you'll see when you watch the disc that most of the new album was not done to perfection.
Some of the songs were done in one take, and even during the recording of "Awakening," lead singer Jon Foreman stood behind producer
Steve Lillywhite, who was at the mixing board, and cut the vocals right there, instead of in the booth. By watching this part of the DVD,
you will see how much fun the band had making this record, and that's what it's about - making music that you're happy with, and you
know God will be happy with.
The special features on the DVD include the making of the popular "Stars" music video, a never before seen music video for
"Happy Is a Yuppie Word," which also includes a making-of featurette. It also includes a photo/video montage set to "The Blues,"
and the first twelve podcasts that the band did while on the road. The only disappointing thing about this section of the DVD is that
the "Happy Is a Yuppie Word" music video seems to be a carbon copy of the "Stars" music video, with the interesting use of an underwater
performance. It would have been nice to see the band make a completely new video for the song.
For the most part, if you enjoyed the original Switchfootage, you'll enjoy this second installment. I thoroughly
enjoyed Switchfootage 2. It gave me a new appreciation for this hugely successful band and a look into the many
possibilities they have to look forward to.
- Review date: 12/24/06, written by Justin Mabee
Artist Info: Discography
Mac Powell and the Family Reunion Release Video for New Single, "Back Again"
Matthew Ryan
Diviner
The Afters
The McKameys
North Point InsideOut Here I Am - Single [Centricity]
