New Way to Be Human
New Way to Be Human is the second studio album by the band Switchfoot. It was released on March 11, 1999, under independent label re:think Records,[4][5] which was distributed by Sparrow Records. The song "Only Hope" was featured in the movie A Walk To Remember, and the tracks "New Way to Be Human", "Something More (Augustine's Confession)", and "I Turn Everything Over" received substantial play on Christian radio.
New Way to Be Human | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | March 11, 1999 | |||
Recorded | re:think Studio | |||
Genre | Alternative rock, indie rock | |||
Length | 37:37 | |||
Label | re:think Records | |||
Producer | Charlie Peacock | |||
Switchfoot chronology | ||||
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Singles from New Way To Be Human | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Jesus Freak Hideout | |
Allmusic | |
Cross Rhythms |
Book
A book of the same name has also been written by producer Charlie Peacock. The intro to the book is written by Jon Foreman, Switchfoot's lead singer and songwriter.
Lyrical philosophy
Both "Sooner or Later (Soren's Song)" and "Something More (Augustine's Confession)" are based upon the works of philosophers. "Something More" is based upon a series of books, known as Confessions, that were written by Augustine of Hippo.[6] About "Sooner or Later", Jon Foreman has said: "Sooner or later we all have to deal with the frightening reality that there is much that is wrong in the world... This is Soren's song... These are his thoughts as best as I understand them,"[7] alluding to the philosophy of Danish Christian philosopher Søren Kierkegaard. The song also references Jean-Paul Sartre's idea that men are "condemned to be free".
Composition
The songs are alternative rock/jangle pop based. "New Way to Be Human" has two keys: E major and C Major. "New Way to be Human" has been remixed one time.
Track listing
All tracks are written by Jon Foreman, except where noted. Tracks 1, 2, and 4 were released as the album's singles.
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
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1. | "New Way to Be Human" | Jon Foreman, Douglas Kaine McKelvey | 3:36 |
2. | "Incomplete" | Jon Foreman, Tim Foreman | 4:13 |
3. | "Sooner or Later (Soren's Song)" | 3:58 | |
4. | "Company Car" | 3:13 | |
5. | "Let That Be Enough" | 2:38 | |
6. | "Something More (Augustine's Confession)" | Jon Foreman, Douglas Kaine McKelvey | 4:00 |
7. | "Only Hope" | 4:13 | |
8. | "Amy's Song" | 4:30 | |
9. | "I Turn Everything Over" | 3:21 | |
10. | "Under the Floor" (The song "Under the Floor" ends at minute 3:07. After 15 seconds of silence, at minute 3:22 begins an untitled hidden song: it's a brief radio jingle.) | 3:55 |
Personnel
- Switchfoot[8]
- Jon Foreman - vocals, guitar, piano, trumpet
- Chad Butler - drums, percussion
- Tim Foreman - bass, backing vocals
- Additional musicians[8]
- Tony Miracle - analog synth
- David Davidson - violin
- Bob Mason - cello
- Sam Levine - bass clarinet, flute
- Mike Haynes - trumpet
- Mark Douthit - tenor sax
- Charlie Peacock - orchestration
References
- Jesus Freak Hideout review
- Allmusic review
- Kirk, Trevor (June 1999). "Switchfoot - New Way To Be Human". Cross Rhythms (51).
- "New Way to Be Human by Switchfoot". iTunes. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
- "New Way To Be Human: Switchfoot". Amazon.com. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
- Beauty and the Beat - published June 19, 2003 (retrieved September 16, 2006)
- 24 Voices Archived 2005-02-17 at the Wayback Machine - (retrieved September 16, 2006)
- CD Liner Notes