Fading West
by Switchfoot
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: Jan 14, 2014
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 4 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
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  1. Slant Magazine
    Jan 15, 2014
    50
    Jon Foreman's ability to write hook-laden melodies remains, and he's an often poetic and perspicacious lyricist, but the themes of redemption and hope on Fading West are too abstracted, frequently degenerating into cliché.
  2. American Songwriter
    Jan 15, 2014
    50
    The bulk of these songs feature clichéd lyrics and arm-waving call and response construction.... That said, there is talent and maturity in the song craft, production and playing.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 21 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. SchroederRock
    Jan 16, 2014
    8
    Being a fan of Switchfoot since Legend of Chin, I have been so happy to see these guys from the small stage scenes to a moreBeing a fan of Switchfoot since Legend of Chin, I have been so happy to see these guys from the small stage scenes to a more nationally-recognized alternative rock band. Jon Foreman is an excellent writer and the band as a whole gel so well together that the music, no matter which direction they take it, always remains identifiably Switchfoot. On Fading West, Switchfoot maintain their southern California-style pop/grunge, much in the vein of Hello Hurricane and Vice Verses. Also back is the band's cleverly crafted hooks, which show up on tracks like "Who We Are" and "Ba55". The later channels a bit of MuteMath and grooves out hard. Fading West will hopefully land this band back on some peoples' radar that may have forgotten them over time and generate new fans, because this is a very good album that will net you several playthroughs. I definitely recommend it.… Full Review »
  2. boesball
    Aug 16, 2014
    8
    This album is not as good as Switchfoot's previous two albums, but it's still really good. BA55 and When we Come Alive are really good, andThis album is not as good as Switchfoot's previous two albums, but it's still really good. BA55 and When we Come Alive are really good, and the album really has no glaring weak points. I do wish, however, that we can get back to the guitar riffs from songs like Afterlife, Dark Horses, and Mess of Me, but Switchfoot is still really good with a more pop sound.… Full Review »
  3. Schantzee
    Feb 13, 2014
    6
    Fading West suffers from a lot of things. The fact that the last album was released in 2011 and that every album since Beautiful Letdown hasFading West suffers from a lot of things. The fact that the last album was released in 2011 and that every album since Beautiful Letdown has been good set up this album with a lot of hype. Not to mention that it was being advertised along with their feature length film by the same name. From the very first song on the album you can tell how different the sound is from their typical work. Switchfoot has never been afraid to experiment with different instruments and other sounds in their songs but completely changing the sound of the entire album was a huge mistake. Each song maintains this trend of abandoning their typical styles. Say it like you mean it almost was a decent rock song if it didn't sound just like The Sound from HH but just much worse. Most of the songs are only average except for When We Come Alive which has a great chorus and Let it Out which is an inspiring song. BA55 is being praised by some but I personally HATED this song because it sounded so cool at first but it never took that rock turn as expected from Switchfoot and never hit a climax moment...just a dull and basic tune. Out of their 9 official albums, I rank Fading West 7th just above Learning to Breathe and just below New Way to Be Human. Seriously? Their album from 1999 is better than this over hyped identity crisis of an album.… Full Review »
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