Switchfoot – The Legend of Chin

Description

The Legend of Chin is the debut album by the American alternative rock band Switchfoot, released on re:think in 1997, a division of Sparrow Label Group, distributed in the US by EMI Music Distribution and Chordant Distribution Group. The album was recorded by Jimmie Lee Sloas of Dogs of Peace fame and Shane D. Wilson at Signature Sound in San Diego, California; with Jimmie Lee Sloas producing. All songs written by lead singer Jon Foreman except track 3 co-written with Casey Gee.

Switchfoot features Jon Foreman on guitar and lead vocals, Tim Foreman on bass and backing vocals, and Chad Butler on drums and backing vocals.

Been living with this album for days and fluctuated in my feelings about what they’ve achieved. They may have taken their name from a surfer buzzword but this ain’t no Beach Boys album. Instead, a melodic modern rock style reveals some nifty crisp guitar sounds, raspy vocals and a smattering of memorable songs and there’s the problem. So much of this still washes over me and despite the fact I’ve played it about 15 times, it’s still barely getting my attention. «Chem 6A» has a killer dirty scratchy guitar riff and «Might Have Ben Hur» (humorously dedicated to Charlton Heston!) explodes, is short, snappy and fun. The same can be said for «Ode To Chin» which contains the brilliant advice “Doubt your doubts and believe your beliefs!” Sonically this sounds like a great album – all the right ingredients are in place, but like a good Yorkshire pudding, even the finest ingredients won’t be enough if it doesn’t completely rise! There are moments when this one is more pancake than pudding. However, overall worth checking out. Maybe the live stage is the best place to hear these songs. [Mike Rimmer, Cross Rhythms, October 1997]

[Scott Thunder, CCM, August 1997]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-legend-of-chin/724245533)

CD tracklist:

01. Bomb – 2:45
02. Chem 6A – 3:11
03. Underwater – 3:46
04. Edge Of My Seat – 2:45
05. Home – 4:02
06. Might Have Ben Hur – 2:38
07. Concrete Girl – 5:05
08. Life And Love And Why – 2:53
09. You – 4:13
10. Ode To Chin – 2:13
11. Don’t Be There – 4:22

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by re:think.