Guitar Solo on The Sound, Should Switchfoot play a longer one live? Options

[JasonG]

What do you think?

[SwitchfootFTW!]

30 seconds would probably be long enough - thats what it should have been on the album too.
As awesome as a 2 minute guitar solo would probably ditract from the flow of song and lets face it if it's guitar solos you want thiers band that can do much better.

[jesse]

not to hate on the album, but the solos on this cd are pretty shitty, in comparison to their potential.

[WarsOfOurFathers]

not to hate on the album, but the solos on this cd are pretty shitty, in comparison to their potential.

Bullet Soul ain't bad.

Aside from that, I'd tend to agree.

[JasonG]

Bullet Soul ain't bad.

Aside from that, I'd tend to agree.

I feel ya. As a guitarist, I was hoping for the new album to contain guitar work like that of Eddie Van Halen and Jimmy Page. Heh. When I disavowed myself of that notion, it started sounding better. Switchfoot goes for a much more blended sound and they're simply different than VH and Zep, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Maybe Drew needs to speak up and get more guitar solos in the mix!

One cool thing about Zeppelin is that each musician WENT OFF. Some bands have a lame bassist who just plays quarter and half notes on cue. Some bands have a weak drummer who doesn't play many rolls or doesn't use many different drums. Zep had four amazing musicians and they all went off nearly every single song. I think you find when one person steps it up the others tend to follow.

Back to Switchfoot. This album seems to be in the same vein of their past music. I think they also take a few risks and take things to a new level. Spiritual lyrics, thoughtful melodies. A good balance of sounds. Whether they went the direction people wanted or thought they would remains to be seen. Very good music, at any rate, though! : )

[SwitchfootFan412]

Most people agree with me.

[fun.berlinboy]

I feel ya. As a guitarist, I was hoping for the new album to contain guitar work like that of Eddie Van Halen and Jimmy Page. Heh. When I disavowed myself of that notion, it started sounding better. Switchfoot goes for a much more blended sound and they're simply different than VH and Zep, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Maybe Drew needs to speak up and get more guitar solos in the mix!

One cool thing about Zeppelin is that each musician WENT OFF. Some bands have a lame bassist who just plays quarter and half notes on cue. Some bands have a weak drummer who doesn't play many rolls or doesn't use many different drums. Zep had four amazing musicians and they all went off nearly every single song. I think you find when one person steps it up the others tend to follow.

Back to Switchfoot. This album seems to be in the same vein of their past music. I think they also take a few risks and take things to a new level. Spiritual lyrics, thoughtful melodies. A good balance of sounds. Whether they went the direction people wanted or thought they would remains to be seen. Very good music, at any rate, though! : )

I'm not sure if expecting something Van Halen or Page-esque was a good idea. I don't think Jon or Drew could touch either of those guys, honestly.

[JasonG]

I'm not sure if expecting something Van Halen or Page-esque was a good idea. I don't think Jon or Drew could touch either of those guys, honestly.

Drew has some pretty sick chops. I've heard him go off before, so I'm sure he could go off whenever his number is called.

[salvation is her...]

But you also gotta keep in mind that while the band wants to change sound a little, they want to keep the same sound that gives them their identity

[WarsOfOurFathers]

But you also gotta keep in mind that while the band wants to change sound a little, they want to keep the same sound that gives them their identity

Switchfoot with a few guitar solos thrown in the mix is still Switchfoot. Jon's songs would continue to sound the same, it would just include an extra dose of Drew.

[JasonG]

But you also gotta keep in mind that while the band wants to change sound a little, they want to keep the same sound that gives them their identity

Not to be nit-picky, but I think they all have signature sounds that they've developed over time and they don't really try to make a certain sound cuz it's the Switchfoot sound or something. They simply play what they find when they find it. (Appropriately, I just heard the slide guitar in Always. : )

I think some bands have a great first album or two, then they tail off because they aren't in the spot where they were when they wrote their best stuff. Pearl Jam comes to mind. It's good to see Switchfoot continue to make great music, album after album.

On comes Bullet Soul. I had played it in standard, but someone said it was written in Drop D and a little easier to play that way. Does Switchfoot have any Drop C songs? I'd like to hear what they could come up with in that tuning.

[salvation is her...]

Guys don't get me wrong. I love the solos but switchfoot doing 2 minute solos?

[-SwitchFan]

It's just right to me. If I want huge and long and wild guitar solos I'll go listen to Van Halen. But Switchfoot is different than those bands, and that's what I love about them. I think one of the things I love most about Switchfoot is they don't try to be like every other band, which is why it's hard to find a band that sounds like Switchfoot. They're unique, and I wouldn't want them to change anything about their new album or their other songs - I love them the way they are!

[Coleslaw]

I'm a guitar player and love Switchfoot. I'm also a huge AC/DC fan as well as Zeppelin and ZZ Top and other classic rock stuff. In other words, I love me some guitar solos.

With that said, one of the things I love best about Switchfoot is that they aren't a "guitar solo" band. Not because of a lack of ability, but because of choice. I know that Jon, or Drew could definitely rip up a solo if they wanted to, but instead they don't. There are several times in which I've thought man this would be a cool spot for a solo or something like that, but I like the fact that they intentionally hold back. I think says a lot more about your musicianship when you choose to play less.

[JasonG]

I'm a guitar player and love Switchfoot. I'm also a huge AC/DC fan as well as Zeppelin and ZZ Top and other classic rock stuff. In other words, I love me some guitar solos.

With that said, one of the things I love best about Switchfoot is that they aren't a "guitar solo" band. Not because of a lack of ability, but because of choice. I know that Jon, or Drew could definitely rip up a solo if they wanted to, but instead they don't. There are several times in which I've thought man this would be a cool spot for a solo or something like that, but I like the fact that they intentionally hold back. I think says a lot more about your musicianship when you choose to play less.

Tonight, Drew played a cool solo before the ending slide guitar part in Always. It isn't on the album. : )

The Sound sounded great with the short solo. They used lots of special effects earlier in the song and it all blended well. It didn't seem too short live.

[miketrav87]

how was the show??

[JasonG]

Mike,

The show was excellent! They played the entire new album from beginning to end, then they played some encores and one hit from each album. Pretty sweet. Jon said that some of the HH songs were being performed live for the first time! You could see the slightly nervous look of anticipation on some of their faces; wondering how they would nail it and how the crowd would respond. Great stuff. : )

JG

[The Sound...]

Haha, I said 2+ minutes.

[toofhctiws]

In the song The Sound, should Switchfoot play a longer guitar solo live?

Indubitably.