"Life has been on the upside for San Diego's popular rock band Switchfoot. The fourth album "The Beautiful Letdown" has catipulted the band into a worldwide phenomenon and much overdue recognition. While they have been very successful in the past year, Switchfoot also has a history of three more successful albums prior to "The Beautiful Letdown". These three albums (1997's "Legend of Chin", 1999's "New Way To Be Human" and 2000's "Learning to Breathe") are reissued together for a very low price in "The Early Years 1997-2000".
For those who already own these albums, there is nothing new here. However, for those who have recently latched onto the band, this three-disc set is a must. Each album is presented in its entirety complete with its original artwork and liner notes (each of the individual CD's booklets are included in the thick jewel case). The low price of this set is an absolute steal with three CDs for the price of one and is an affordible way to stock up on all of Switchfoot's albums prior to "Beautiful Letdown" in one shot."
Worth the Spend
Peter Koeppen | Wisconsin | 03/11/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you have the newer disc, I say go get this one. If you haven't heard much of this group yet, get their newest CD, "Beautiful Letdown", get that first. Their songs are alot alike. They are all uplifting with their own message and own theme. A rock band that is on their way up and still going mid 2000's. Christian music with a different swing to it. Until you are told this is Christian, you would never tell from listening to the songs. It has that kind of attitude to it. It will seem like another Rock band, until you hear that they are Christian, you will find a moral or a good story to everysong."
Old school Scwitchfoot
Margaret | 11/21/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Switchfoot is a band that has been awesome from the beginning. As a whole they've always been very talented and totally enjoyable to listen to. Also, they are not afraid to be themsleves and express their beliefs in a positive way. Switchfoot songs such as "Chem 6A", "Ode to Chin", "Company Car", "Something More" and "Playing ofr Keeps" are extremely fun and are accompanied by meaningful songs such as "You", "Don't Be There", "Let That Be Enough", and "Dare You To Move". Anyone who likes Switchfoot should have the early years collection. The earliest songs do lean more towards a punk rock sound, but Switchfoot is still faithful to provide diverse styles within their songs. Every one of them is fabulous!"
The most rockin thing I've ever found
Latisha Bonner | Olathe, KS | 11/04/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I was just taking a leisurely stroll through the local wal-mart. I thought I would stop by the music section to find what was new... what an amazing thing I found... THREE SWITCHFOOT CDS!!! I do believe that these are the best that Switchfoot has to offer. They have changed drastically since these early albums, these are softer, but still rocking... You need this item... seriously."
What an excellent beginning!
gabriel g. | Portland, OR | 06/13/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For years, "The Beautiful Letdown" was the only Switchfoot album I knew, and I really enjoyed it. Eventually I began to realize that they had several other albums, and as I heard quite a bit of their newer material around on the internet, I began to realize how much I like and respect this band. When I saw this collection for such a great price, I grabbed it, and I'm just ecstatic that I did. From the beginning, Switchfoot was an interesting, dynamic, creative band that defies strict categorization.
I've heard plenty of criticism that after The Beautiful Letdown Switchfoot "went secular." Regardless of how you feel about that particular issue (I personally think it's a load of nonsense, as the songwriting of a band of faith will always be influenced and informed by and through its faith), there's no chance of getting a strictly secular impression from these early recordings. "You Already Take Me There," "New Way to Be Human," "Only Hope," "Home," etc. make it very clear that the band's faith is not only alive and well, but that it does influence and inform every area of their lives, including the songwriting.
This is a fantastic collection, full of great music that anyone can enjoy, Christian or not. It's multi-faceted and energetic, and seeing where Switchfoot came from is just as important as seeing where they've gone."