Oh! Gravity. (CD - 2006)

Switchfoot: Jon Foreman (vocals, guitar); Jerome Fontamillas (guitar, keyboards, background vocals); Drew Shirley (guitar); Tim Foreman (bass guitar, background vocals); Chad Butler (drums).

Personnel: Sean Watkins, Sara Watkins (vocals); Sidney Cabrera, Kybra Minisee (violin); Keith Tutt II (cello); Mark Feltham (harmonica); Andy Geib (horns); Sarah Mooridian (cowbells).

Audio Mixers: Tim Palmer; John Fields ; Tom Lord-Alge.

Recording information: Big Fish Recording, Encinitas, CA; Signature Sound; Starstruck Studio.

Illustrator: Joshua Marc Levy.

Photographer: Andy Barron.

On its third major-label album, 2006's OH GRAVITY, the San Diego-based alternative-rock ensemble Switchfoot widens its musical scope even further than on previous outings, resulting in its most immediately engaging release. Although the band has never completely pulled away from its Christian roots, the record's themes are not blatantly religious, giving the group a remarkably broad appeal, as best evidenced on the guitar-driven title track, a surging power-pop tune, and "Dirty Second Hands," a bold number awash in Beatles-meets-Led Zep grandiosity. While some fans may continue to search for Switchfoot's CCM connections, most listeners will be too busy rocking to notice.

Moving on somewhat from the epic and sincere post-grunge of their last two hit albums, 2003's Beautiful Letdown and 2005's Nothing Is Sound, California Christian-emo rockers Switchfoot deliver a lively and laid-back effort with 2006's Oh! Gravity. Perhaps influenced by the post-punk of such contemporaries as Franz Ferdinand and Futureheads, Switchfoot smartly keep things stripped down and to the point this time. To these ends, the title track and leadoff single "Oh! Gravity" is a poppy blast of '80s new wave. Similarly engaging, the punchy and playful Mott the Hoople-esque anthem "Amateur Lovers" is a truly inspired creative turn for lead singer/guitarist Jonathan Foreman and his cohorts. But lest longtime fans fear the band have completely changed their sound, don't worry, as tracks such as the blissful mid-tempo ballad "Awakening" and the driving rocker "Head over Heels (In This Life)" retain the band's knack for mixing heartfelt lyrics with catchy melodies that tug at your soul. ~ Matt Collar minimize