The Legend of Chin

Ten albums later, Switchfoot’s first album has aged wonderfully. I wasn’t really into Chin when I first heard it at 13, but it’s grown to be a favorite in my music library.

My favorite album of alltime. Every track is brilliant. A generous part of my soul is intertwined with these beautiful melodies.

When I was like 13, I bought this album in a 3-CD set with New Way to be Human and Learning to Breath cause I was the BIGGEST switchfoot fan and I had to have all their stuff, plus it was cheap so win-win. But I guess my 13-year old tastes weren't properly suited to this type of punk/garage alt rock at the time, so I threw all 3 CDs in the trash in a symbolic gesture. Now it's my favorite Switchfoot album, and I can't afford it cause I'm in college. So don't be like me. If, by chance, you are like me, then DON'T I repeat DON'T throw away the CD. Just WAIT seven years and it will pay off. Trust me.

Raw. Honest. Quirky. Deep. Grimy. Switchfoot started young but though their debut is unabashedly unpolished, it is so in all the right ways. "Bomb" starts things off in a darker tone musically and "Chem 6A" picks up the quirk and lightens the mood with lines like, I don't wanna read the book, I'll watch the movie..." "Underwater" has an interesting guitar hook and finishes in a wash of grungy guitars. Great ballads here too. "You" makes good use of strings. "Home" and tender closer "don't be there" tug heartstrings as well. Another favorite is "Concrete Girl. Switchfoot goes on to great heights but this is a strong start!

They were so young and new to all of this and this album was still deep and inspiring. It was simple and raw, and part of me wishes they stayed like that but I know bands evolve over time. I’m glad to see that they continued to be successful, even though I’ve lost touch with what they’ve done in recent years.

This album is so interesting quirky and genuine it was out of the box when it came out and has unending listen ability. This defined my teens and along with new way to be human was, is what made me love the band growing up.

The review writer is really out there.. It’s not depressing or suicidal. He’s completely clueless. But anyways, this is a good debut cd from one of the biggest bands in today’s era.