Jon Foreman

Anyone who wondered what Switchfoot's frontman would sound like sans the band's wall of distortion finally got their answer -- a stripped down set of rewarding indie rock that showed more facets of the songwriter than most knew could be possible. After a decade pioneering Switchfoot's multi-platinum crossover success from Christian novelty act to arena headliners, Jon Foreman put out a set of four EPs titled and themed after the seasons. Each was six songs long, and after being released one at a time, they were later packaged as pairs. Fall and Winter thus became the first set. Foreman's rock credentials were a mile long by this point, so he made it clear that the only reason he put out an extensive solo collection was that the material fit "outside the Switchfoot aesthetic." Once fans were assured that the band wasn't breaking up, they were in for some of the most well-crafted lo-fi rock anthems in years. What comes across most is Foreman's quest for meaning in the events of life, a quest that critics have accused him of watering down while composing for Switchfoot. Those themes are at the forefront of this journey, an exploration of death, sin, longing, corruption, and the courage to face these enemies head-on. Foreman recorded the tracks in his living room and threw in a variety of instrumentation, from mariachi brass to scattered percussion to even bass clarinet. For a singer who made his name on the modern rock charts, this departure was a pleasant, if not absolutely thrilling, surprise. ~ Jared Johnson, All Music Guide