Switchfoot - Hello Hurricane

This semester, well, this entire year, has been a bit slow in the concert department. I've spent many hours scouring the Internet for any show near me, but always came up short. I was lucky enough to see that Switchfoot is coming to Philadelphia in December. This is a band I've been listening to for a while, but never had the opportunity to see live. I saw that they are in support of a new album, Hello Hurricane, that was released November 10th. Most people recognize Switchfoot from their monstrous hit album The Beautiful Letdown that sparked hits such as Meant to Live, and Dare You to Move. The band has released many albums over their career, and after listening, and listening, and listening some more to their newest release, I have to say that this is truly one of their best.

1.) Needle and Haystack Life

"You're a needle girl, in a haystack world."

The kick-off song on the album stresses the hard times in life and getting through them by finding someone to share the burden with. A strong start full of heavy guitars and energy.

2.) Mess of Me

"I am my own affliction. I am my own disease. There ain't no drug that they could sell, there ain't no drug to make me well."

The first single off of the album, Mess of Me is another heavy guitar-based song that is determined to fix one's life after all the mistakes that have damaged the soul. This change can't be reached by simply taking medication, it needs a deeper change from within.

3.) Your Love is a Song

"Your love is a melody, underneath me, running to me. Your love is a song."

Although it's hard to pick one, I'd probably say that this is my favorite song off the album. I could easily see it being a popular single. The song is a gentle, yet strong love song that is unlike any other I've heard of recent years. The narrator is completely consumed in love with another person, and can see his love in everything around him.

4.) The Sound (John M. Perkins' Blues)

"The static comes alive, beneath the broken skies. John Perkins said it right, love is the final fight."

A punchy fast-paced song with a great beat that will make you dance around your apartment and annoy your neighbors (trust me).

5.) Enough to Let Me Go

"All I know, I still got mountains to climb on my own."

A slow song that asks the question, 'do you love me enough to let me go?' I think a lot of people become so wrapped up in being with someone that they forget to find out who they are. This is a wonderful song expressing that you should tackle your own problems before adding those of another person into the mix.

6.) Free

"Inside this shell is a prison cell."

This is my second favorite on the album. Amazing guitar and percussion. This is all about being tied down by problems, insecurities from within and waiting for the day that your chains will be broken open. Waiting to be free.

7.) Hello Hurricane

"I've got doors and windows boarded up. All your dead end fury is not enough. You can't silence my love."

The title track states what this album is all about. Despite all these problems discussed in other songs, this one acknowledges the storm in life and says, I'm not going to let you ruin my life. A fun jumpy beat that will please anyone who listens.

8.) Always

"Every breath is a second chance."

Another slower track with a beautiful melody. This song speaks to the beginning and origin of people's pain, and being there for them.

9.) Bullet Soul

"I want to sing one for all the dreamers."

A fun, fast, and rocking song that praises those who have passion and dreams. We're all in this battle together.

10.) Yet

"If it doesn't break your heart, it isn't love. If it doesn't break your heart, it's not enough. It's when you're breaking down with your insides coming out, that's when you find out what your heart is made of. And you haven't lost me yet."

This is a truly beautiful song about hanging in there when you feel so completely lost and heart-broken. I love the above section because so many people think they're never going to get over a heart-break, but they do. Was it love to begin with?

11.) Sing It Out

"Sing it out. Take what is left of me. Make it a melody. Sing it out. Sing out-loud. I can't find the words to sing. You'd be my remedy, my song. I'll sing with what's left of me."

And here we have my third favorite song. An absolutely amazing song. Slow, with a final climax that is the climb we've been reaching for the entire album. This song is how music makes me feel; it's a release of so many emotions that I can't always express, and yet, I'll find the perfect words in song. Anyone who feels this way should listen to this song.

12.) Red Eyes

"Every now and then I see you reaching, reaching for the other side."

This is a great closing song with a sort of back and forth questioning and answering. 'What are you looking for?' is the common question that I feel describes many people, including myself. We have to go out and make things happen, even if we're alone and haven't the faintest clue what we're doing.

Hello Hurricane is an album about struggle, love, determination, and hope. It's about getting through the hard times and knowing that eventually the storm clouds will disperse.

I'm very excited to see Switchfoot live in December and will report my thoughts...to myself.

MoZella - Belle Isle

So it's been a while since I've posted anything on here...but that's perfectly alright since I'm pretty sure no one actually reads this. In conclusion, I'm the only one affected by this, and it really hasn't affected me at all. But, I've picked up a few new albums over the months and would like to share thoughts--with myself.

MoZella (Maureen McDonald) is a wonderful artist and person in general. Her music is soulful, playful, and delightful. She released her sophomore album, Belle Isle, on October 2oth under a new studio, Universal Motown Records.

1.) Freezing

"And the dark­ness out­side is a mir­ror to my eyes, ‘cause my soul won’t reflect any light."

This song is all about being lonely and out in the cold. It's probably one of my favorite songs on the album. It's quiet and mysterious, but completely identifiable. Makes a strong start to the record.

2.) Stay

"Before you take off running away, I have got something to say. Why don't you stay?"

There's a common theme of relationship woes on this album, and this song is one of the heavy ones. MoZella must've had many bad relationships to be so inspired. The beat is smooth and catchy and instantly becomes a memorable track.

3.) Luv Sik

"Doctor, doctor, you don't have to cure me from this pain that I'm feeling."

Another song on relationship woes that leave the narrator feeling literally, "luv sik." Catchy, spunky , and fluid. I like the song, but I tend to forget where it is on the album, so it's not one of the more memorable or original tracks, although I understand what she's saying, completely.

4.) More of You

"You're a door I can't close without running late."

Immediately, you'll listen to this song and find yourself doing upper-body side-to-side rolls, (if you can understand what the hell I'm talking about). A song that basically states attraction to a person you wish you weren't attracted to, but every time you see them, you want more.

5.) Manhattan

"I've got $200, a guitar, and a coat. Yeah, I hear it gets cold there, but I'm already froze."

A song about picking up and starting over. It includes an infectious chorus and basically tells everyone 'she's moving to Manhattan, and never looking back.'

6.) Let's Stop Calling It Love

"I guess I had a choice. Boys will be boys, and this girl's annoyed."

Here's good advice for anyone in a crappy one-sided relationship just for the sake of being "with someone." Just stop. Get out.

7.) 4 Leaf Clover

"Always just a friend, never a lover. I'm the one they call for good advice."

This song came out around the end of her first album. I liked it then and absolutely love it now. Not only is it catchy, but so true. From a girl who's always been the friend, if that, I love this song. But that's not the end; she's gonna step up and go for someone instead of waiting for him to come to her.

8.) Hurry Up & Choose

"If things were good at home, you wouldn't come to me with those loving eyes."

So we all know what it's like to be interested in someone who's already involved with someone else. Story of my life. Here, he's with someone else, but has feelings for the narrator. Now he has to choose.

9.) Uh-Uh

"Oh, wow, what a surprise you're out all night. I neatly threw your stuff on the lawn. Hope that's alright."

Lovely lyrics and back and forth pandering between MoZella and guest vocals from Marty James of One Block Radius. To put it simply, she's not taking his shit anymore.

10.) Thank You

"You fight off my enemies. You take a bullet for me, and you know I'd do the same for you."

A fun catchy song that you've probably heard in a commercial or two. A very nicely arranged song for simply saying 'thank you' to anyone who you love and who's been there for you.

11.) Twilight Girls

"I'm so sorry that it's come to this. I'm so sorry that the world is such a mess. But God don't love you any less."

The slowest and closing song on the album. I real look at the world and violence going on all around, even in quiet communities and the 'twilight girls' who are trying to protect their families from it.

Overall, a very strong, soulful, and poppy record. A great build from her debut album I Will. I recommend both, and be sure to check MoZella out live, she's a sweetheart.