Oh Gravity/The Tao Te Ching

(originally posted on Myspace)

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Oh Gravity, the Tao te Ching Category: Religion and Philosophy Ok so I finished the Tao Te Ching about the same time I got "Oh Gravity," the newest Switchfoot CD. Oh Gravity is definitely their best album yet and even surpasses "The Beautiful Letdown." A bounceback from the nearly-pitiful "Nothing is Sound," Oh Gravity throws in a sense of classic rock, while keeping originality. The problem with artists who have released more than one or two albums is that, in many cases, every song begins to sound the same. This is far from true in this their sixth CD. Some funky rhythms mix with ethnic tones in "Dirty Second Hands," and Switchfoot returns to its upbeat optimism with my personal favorite "Burn out Bright." They even remixed a track from their previous album and added a little of the much-needed lightness that only Switchfoot can provide. Overall, I mostly compared the album with the Tao Te Ching. If you are not familiar with it, find it. Read it. Live it. While I don't agree with every ideal Lao Tsu presents, I must say that this book is a gem. There is much wisdom in just a few pages, including, "In learning of others, you gain knowledge; in learning of yourself, you gain true wisdom. In controlling others, you have strength; in controlling yourself, you have true power." How does quasi-Christian rock follow eastern philosophy? Take the song American Dream for example. "The ambition for excess wrecks us." There are a lot of other examples in the CD. Buy it. What's better than the Taoist remarks is the load of ideals that are purely American. Not corporate, 2025 American, but revolutionary, 1775 American. Listen to my profile song "Burn out Bright." The best line says "The future is a question mark with kerosene and electric sparks. There's still fire in you yet. There's still fire in you." The sixth track is a happy show of love and ignorance. "We don't know what we're doin', let's do it again!" The Switchfoot fire is rekindled and they are spreading the joy. I love life and I love the art that helps me see that love from different angles.