Album Review: Edge of the Earth EP by Swicthfoot

In December 2013, worldly known Rock band Switchfoot released a documentary titled Fading West that documented their last 20 years as a band. It showed concert footage, surfing and interviews, as well as their process in writing songs for the album of the same name. The movie had 7 songs that were not included on the album. Fans were anxiously waiting for the songs to be released and after almost a year, all the unreleased songs are now available on all digital formats. The EP is a must-own for any long-time or new Switchfoot fan. Most of the songs once again don't sound like anything the band has done before, which is why the band has remained one of the world's biggest and most successful Rock bands for ten years since the release of multi-platinum single "Dare You To Move."

The EP starts off with the B-Side title track "Fading West" that was included if you pre-ordered Fading West from either Switchfoot's online store or Family Christian Stores. The song is basically about how they are on tour pretty much all Summer and they are ready to come home. It also describes their past twenty years as a band. Back when the band was first starting out, they were told by several record executives that they saw no talent. (I bet they felt stupid when Dare You To Move was released) That is what the song "Against The Voices" is about. They could have quit, but they didn't and now look at em.

Track number three was my favorite when I watched the movie. The song sounds similar to to the song "BA55" from the original album, with a mainly electronic beat with a bass guitar and not as many vocals. The song is about how sometimes being on tour can make you feel lonely, even when your with you're best friends. "What It Costs" is the first SF song in their 20 year history that we hear Tim Foreman, lead singer Jon's brother, do ALL the vocals on the song. In the movie, the song is playing while Jon gets a call from his wife that their daughter has to have surgery. At the time, he is in Australia. He, of course flies back. He mentions at times like this he mentions that he has faith or doubt and that both are options. Times like these make him question if touring is worth it.

Life goes fast the older you get. That is what "Slow Down My Heartbeat" is about. Everyday is a new day, but it also goes faster. He wants his heartbeat to be slowed down because life is going to fast. "Liberty" is probably the most worshipful Switchfoot song to date. I know I mentioned earlier that Jon questioned if God existed, but he is one of the most faithful men I have met. Everyone questions God in tragedy. God is our Liberty because we can talk to Him anytime and we can totally feel like we are not in the world with Him at times.

The EP ends with the title-track "Edge of the Earth," which is mainly a ukulele throughout the song until about three minutes into the song when all the instruments start playing. It is another song where Jon is talking to God and wants to meet Him at the edge of the earth.

The EP doesn't disappoint. Then again, Switchfoot never seems to disappoint. So many people have been waiting for this to be released and I'm glad they finally were. Once again, they are great songs to roll down the windows and blast at full volume or jam while at the beach. If you don't know the band yet, pick up the EP, you will get to know them well through it.

Rating: 10 out of 10

Purchase Links: iTunes, Amazon MP3

Top 2 Songs: "What It Costs," "Skin & Bones"

For Fans Of: Kings of Leon, NEEDTOBREATHE, Anberlin