Jon Foreman is on a journey. Though he may not be actually walking great distances, he is on the road to self discovery and that road is not easily travelled. With this collection of hits from his popular “Seasons” EPs he’s giving us a glimpse of that journey and a raw and honest look at the man himself. Taking a break from his “day job” fronting the hugely successful rock band Switchfoot, Jon released 4 six song EPs “Spring”, “Summer”, ”Winter” and “Fall”. With “Limbs And Branches” we get a collection of hits from each EP (with help from fans through Jon’s website) and 2 new songs.
Starting off with the uplifting “Your Love Is Strong” from “Spring” whose majestic undertone builds into a moving wall of sound bringing a strong start to the album with one of the best songs here. “Behind Your Eyes” is a folk infused ditty, fun and melodic with tinkling finger-picking. “Southbound Train” continues with a simplistic acoustic strum peppered with harmonica melodies and hints at Dylanesque influences. And my favourite song “The House Of God Forever” takes gospel sensibilities and adds them to a fun-loving acoustic folk tune. It’s sweet melody is inspiring and only gets better with the addition of a female vocalist who steps in for half the song.
The current radio single “The Cure For Pain” from “Fall” takes a step back and is a quiet, sombre piece. It’s reflective and philosophical as is the first of the new tracks “Broken FromThe Start”. It’s melancholic rhythm is broken up by Beatle-esque melodies and would fit somewhere between “Spring” and “Summer”. A number of the songs feature a horns section giving tracks like “Instead Of A Show” a mariachi feel and makes “A Mirror Is Harder To Hold” folk foundation a unique quality and a little harder to label.
“Learning How To Die” turns a somber subject into a contemplative, purposeful song. The other new song here “Over The River” is also the album closer. It’s an experimental tune, quiet and airy yet mildly discordant and haunting. Of this collection it is a creative jump forward towards that elusive self-actualization.
Overall I found “Limbs And Branches” a wonderful collection of Jon Foreman’s talents and I applaud him for going solo and exploring his song-writing potential. He manages to mix a variety of influences into something truly unique and enjoyable.
Jon Foreman – “Limbs And Branches” 2008
Trach List
1. Your Love Is Strong
2. Behind Your Eyes
3. The Cure For Pain
4. Resurrect Me
5. Southbound Train
6. Broken From The Start
7. The House Of God Forever
8. Instead Of A Show
9. A Mirror Is Harder To Hold
10. In My Arms
11. Learning How To Die
12. Over The River
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