Fall and Winter

Ok... I wrote a long time ago about Jon Foreman of Switchfoot releasing some EPs over this year. As of now, two of the four part set (Named after the four seasons) have been released. I was pleasantly surprised when I walked into Divine Truth (My favorite store) yesterday and the first cd I saw happened to be a set of his first two EPs together. Since I didn't have them, and I love Jon Foreman (And since it was recommened by my best friend) I jumped at the opportunity to buy these set of cds. I must say that they are an amazing experience, with the only downside to them being their short length (But they are EPs. lol).

The first of the two was entitled "Fall". It started out with the song "The Cure for Pain". The feelings portrayed in this song are portrayed within all of Jon's songs. It is one of slight sorrow, but with a happy feel to it, very peaceful. The instrumentals on this disk were incredible and really would bring you into the feel of the song.

My favorite song on this disk would definately have to be the song "Southbound Train". The song starts with Jon's guitar chugging along like the sound of a train. His harmonica comes whistling in after the first few measures. It defiantely creates a peaceful train-like atmosphere. The words to this song are so sweet and the music so beautiful... Here are the lyrics and a video. The video doesn't do a good job of showing the part at the beginning (Where it sounds like a train), but it does show you how beautiful this song sounds! Even live, it is amazing!

Southbound Train

Oh, I guess they'll say I've grown

I know more than I wanted to know

I've said more than I wanted to say

I'm headed home

Yeah, but I'm not so sure

That home is a place

You can still get to by train

So I'm looking out the window

And I'm drifting off to sleep

With my face pressed up against the window pane

With the rhythm of my heart

And the ringing in my ears

It's the rhythm of the Southbound Train

Oh, and the wind starts to look like her hair

And the clouds in her bright blue eyes

As the sea and the shore fall and rise

Like her breast as she breathes by my side

And the moon is her lips as the sun

Is headed on down to the sea

Like her head as she lays down on me

Until we reach Oceanside

Over and over

I hear the same refrain

It's the rhythm of my heart

And my sleepy girl's breathing

It's the rhythm of my Southbound Train

Oh, I supposed they'll say I should've known

Or maybe I'm just feeling old

Like a lawyer

With no one to blame

I'm headed home

Yeah, but I'm not so sure

That home is a place
That will ever be the same

So we gather up our things

And we head out in the cold

And your eyes are where you carry the pain

When I haer the whistle weeping

Int's crying to th esky

It's the rhythm of my Southbound Train

It's the rhythm of my Southbound Train

Jon Foreman's second EP, called Winter, was just as amazing as the first, and is more like a continuation of the same feel. It starts off with one of my favorite songs called, "Learning How to Die" which I posted a while back ago if you want to see it. More of Jon Foreman's amazing lyrics are displayed with this cd. Also, a sort of Asian sound is demonstrated from a couple songs. Of all of Jon Foreman's songs that I've heard, here is the one with the best lyrics concerning spiritual matters, it is a beautiful song called "White as Snow". Here it is with the lyrics:

White as Snow

Have mercy on me, oh God

According to Your unfailing love

According to Your great compassion

Blot out my transgressions

Create in me a clean heart, oh God

Restore in me the joy of Your salvation

The sacrifices of our God are a broken and a contrite heart

Against You and You alone have I sinned

Would You create in me a clean heart, oh God

Restore in me the joy of my salvation

Wash me white as snow

And I will be made whole

Wash me white as snow

And I will be made whole

These cds are totally different from what I normally like to listen to on a regular basis, but they are so amazingly written and beautiful that I can't help but love them! I encourage anyone who loves music to buy these cds, they aren't rocky, or rap, they are beautiful melodies written from a man whom God has given much talent. Check them out for yourselves!