Millions have experienced the music of Jon Foreman through the multi-platinum success of his internationally-renown band, Switchfoot. This two disc collection features both the Fall and Winter EPs in their entirety. (The Spring EP and Summer EP have been released in a separate two-disc collection.)
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Jon Forman is “equally skilled”| Posted September 24, 2008
Jon Forman is mostly known for his allegedly incredible work as the singer/songwriter for the secular-rock-band-with-Christian-roots Swicthfoot. But the San Diego native should and will know be known for his fine acoustic efforts in his recent seasonal side line EP’s beginning with Fall and ending with Winter.
Although Forman’s music could be categorized as folk rock, acoustic pop seems a better choice for the six track EP, though there is an abundance of southern music twisted in. Fans, who marvel as Forman’s voice, even when his high notes sound rough, will get a heavy dose especially in the haunting piano ballad “my love goes free”. Forman keeps his unplugged EP from getting boring by keeping things up beat in a melancholy atmosphere with acoustic pop songs like “the cure for the pain” which has an enjoyable tune.
“Southbound train” is aptly named because the music comes from that part of the country which has a key musical entrance of a harmonica; the second verse of the song is very emotional and the hooks at the end chorus are good. The quirky “love is magnet” is a lame song that just thrusts acoustic instruments together for nearly two minutes and “Lord save me from myself” is a simple song which is upbeat even in its solemn face. Although “equally skilled” could have used a little something extra to its mainly basic acoustic southern pop, the tune is nice and the ending is exceptional.
The Winter EP doesn’t contain as much diversity as the Fall EP, but it is high on emotion especially on the simple acoustic “learning how to die” and the sobering ballad “somebody’s baby”. The light up beat good acoustic “behind your eyes” is the most energetic song on both EPs and it sounds faster than it really is. “White as snow” is boring and an song which could provoked ‘Zs’, and after a long intro, a Asian style acoustic foundation makes “in love interesting”
No longer tied down with the restrictions that might come with a full length hyped album which gets mainstream airplay as Forman is with Swicthfoot, the Fall EP sheds light on the more personal and spiritual side of Forman’s writing. Although spiritual issues don’t show up in “my love goes free” which details the end of a rough relationship, or “southbound train” (a tale of longing for home) “the cure for the pain” admits the futility of searching elsewhere for the cure for sin (‘Oh my Lord! to suffer like you do.../It would be a lie to run away’).
While “love is a magnet” vaguely suggests that searching for salvation in romance is useless, “Lord, Save Me From Myself” paints a clearer picture (‘And sex is a grand production/But I'm bored with that as well’). The setting of the biblically smart “Equally skilled” could be found in the Old Testament, where men are very wicked and God is just. The only caution for the Fall EP is Forman does a very artistic job of describing the depravity of man.
Forman borrows from Psalm 51 on “White as Snow" (‘Create in me a clean heart/Oh God/Restore in me/The joy of your salvation’) and “in love” makes references to sacrificing the things we hold dear for God. Unfortunately A mild profanity, substance abuse and death by suicide are used to illustrate the life of an unlovely person, but the sobering ballad does remind us that even the outcasts are “somebody’s baby”. “Learning how do die” is about preparing for death and loss.
While Winter and Fall go together like wings and flying the Fall EP does tip the balance with its superior ballads and spiritual messages. Getting both EPs is fine but if you want to pick just one pick Fall EP for it’s fresh acoustic tracks and artistic lyrics. It’s a pleasant surprise for Christian music fans to see the spiritual depth of Switchfoot still remains even with their mainstream success. It’s interesting that it took Jon Forman and solo EPs to show us.
FALL AND WINTER| Posted September 29, 2008
It takes about three full spins to rinse the Switchfoot expectations from your mind. After all, Jon Foreman isn’t a solo artist, but the well-known figure of a prominent band—so no excuses are necessary if you take the requisite moment(s) I did. But after the mental shift, you’ll be glad you stuck around; Foreman’s solo turns are absolutely brilliant.
The first two of four planned seasonally-titled EPs, Fall and Winter, spin largely acoustic yarns of bedroom solitude. Yet, seasonal depression never sounded this good. Foreman now has permission to dive deep into the dark places that a radio rock band (and a Christian one at that!) won’t allow, and he takes full advantage, exploring the melancholy side of his own life (“Lord, Save Me From Myself,” “Learning How To Die”) or those he sees (“Somebody’s Baby”).
Musically, Foreman stretches his unplugged wings as wide as he can, from the guzheng—a Chinese zither of sorts—on “In Love” to the slow gospel march on “I Am Still Running.” The straight-from-Scripture approach of “White As Snow” melds harmonics with popular Psalms. The haunting “My Love Goes Free” seems to utilize a piano that hasn’t been kept properly. All in all, Foreman keeps a potentially sleepy EP from being just that.
But the primary beauty of these seasons is in the lyrical confessions found in a vulnerable front man allowing you into his heart. Foreman’s delicate falsetto, especially on “My Love Goes Free,” expresses pain in ways most artists don’t even attempt to strive toward. Foreman is indeed the humble genius we believed he was, with Fall and Winter serving as some of the strongest evidence to date. - Matt Conner
This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from CCMMagazine.com. Click here to visit CCMMagazine.com today!
Jon Foreman: Fall and Winter EPs| Posted March 24, 2010
Good acoustic CD! Great to listen to when you just want to chill and be mellow (and happy!). Jon writes his personal thoughts and feelings into the lyrics of each song. The songs have depth and meaning. He uses the acoustic guitar, piano, organ, cello, synth strings, clainet, bass clarinet, trumpet, and (rarely) drums in the songs. Listening to these songs will make you feel renewed and refreshed.
More to Jon Than Meets the Switchfoot Eye| Posted May 31, 2008
WOW! Okay, so I knew Jon Foreman was talented as the lead singer of Switchfoot... I knew he had a great voice... I knew he could rock it out... I knew he was a skilled songwriter... but I did not know he could create such great solo material as to make me (almost) forget about Switchfoot! Who knew he could mellow out like this and give us two season's worth of contemplative folk music.
These two EP's (Fall and Winter) are instant classics, in my humble opinion.
"The Cure for Pain", "Equally Skilled" and "My Love Goes Free" are the standouts from Fall, while "Learning How to Die", "Behind Your Eyes" and "I Am Still Running" are my faves from Winter.
The only down-side to these two EP's is that they end. It is such a shame when you get to the last notes of the last song and the music fades to black. All I can say is thank God there are two more seasons.... I'm so looking forward to Spring and Summer!
Great!| Posted April 03, 2008
This cd was really good and unexpected from Jon. You see a softer side to the banging on symbols, screaming into guitars jon. I really liked Heaven Knows or cure for pain,Southbound Train, and equally skilled, but they are all really great songs.
NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!| Posted March 31, 2008
I was so disappointed with these two EPs. I was expecting an explosion of awesomeness like what we usually get from switchfoot. However, jon foreman didn't live up to his reputation with this project. I hope that the switchfoot album coming out later this year is up to switchfoot standards and not what jon foreman has done with these albums. Sorry jon!
this is great| Posted March 08, 2008
im really excited that switchfoot has been able to go independent and that jon has been able to produce these cds
jon foreman is an inspiring and great man and i think he needed this chance to prove that he is better than most think and hes done it very well congrats jon and i cant wait for the Spring and Summer - EPs
i deffinatly recommend these albums and i love how they put them together
Unexpected| Posted January 27, 2008
I guess I'm not totally void of realizing Jon's song writing ability of course, always great phrases, thought provoking moments in all Switchfoot has done in the past but Jon has never been stripped away like this before and I found myself surprised by his honesty and his definite struggles when one on one with his own walk, in his own place, and his own journey.
It can be hard to take in and chew on after a few particular songs in a row, since many come from a very very difficult place at least at first. I had to stop and move away for awhile then return when I had reconciled my own interpretations of what the words were giving me within my own experience.
But then that's what art should do.
I'm anxious to hear more for sure!
Delicate Beauty| Posted January 23, 2008
While few fans of Switchfoot will be terribly surprised, Jon Foreman's first two seasonal EP's are defined by beautiful, heartfelt songwriting complemented by Foreman's surprisingly full and buoyant voice (a rare trait in rock frontmen indeed). Furthermore, Foreman displays equal skill in arranging gorgeous acoustic music. Nowhere is this clearer than the Fall track "Moon is a Magnet" in which the guitar line follows a quietly frantic time signature and is backed up perfectly by a bass clarinet. While the songwriting (particularly in Equally Skilled and Somebody's Baby) is breathtaking, it's also breathtakingly sad. Fall was already melancholy, but Winter is borderline tragic. While Foreman avoids sounding hackneyed in such sadness thanks in large part to excellent musicianship complemented in equal measure by honesty, it can wear on the listener, simply because it is so sad. This sadness is mitigated, though. Nowhere is this clearer than in the final verse of "Equally Skilled" "no don't gloat over me / though I fall, though I fall / I will rise again" speaking of the healing and redemption that God grants those who seek it for as the song states (in contrast to that of the human) "Both of His hands are equally skilled / at ruining evil equally skilled / at judging the judges equally skilled."
Should come with a warning label| Posted January 15, 2008
Warning: these songs could be addictive and life altering!
If you appreciate lyrical honesty and musical simplicity, these EP's will be a nice addition to your music collection.
If you have ever struggled with anything whatsoever, you will connect with these songs on a heart level. I felt as if I had been given an intimate pass into the personal life of Jon Foreman.
Warning: if you are an avid Switchfoot fan mainly because you like to rock, these EP's may not be for you. This is a completely different genre and sound.
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