Vice Verses - Switchfoot

With its play on words, Vice Verses, the title of Switchfoot’s new album, coherently suggests the album’s theme: everything has two sides. “Every blessing comes with a set of curses,” singer-guitarist Jon Foreman sings on the title track, all the while wondering if “there’s a meaning to it all.” That theme runs through the album’s 12 songs and is even reflected in the album’s black and white cover.

“People will be surprised when they hear it,” says drummer Chad Butler. “Jon’s rhythmic delivery is amazing. I often feel like Jon is a drummer locked in a singer-guitarist’s body. He’s incredibly aware of beats and how they interplay with the vocals. The song is definitely influenced by the hip-hop we grew up listening to, whether it’s A Tribe Called Quest or Beastie Boys.”

“This is the second record we’ve made in our studio space, and it’s amazing how we felt completely at home,” adds Foreman. “It allowed us to focus and take chances.” Vice Verses also expands the band’s sonic palette by experimenting with a variety of sounds. There’s a great rhythm to songs such as the groove-oriented “The Original” and “Blinding Light,” which benefit from a hip-hop backbeat. “The War Inside” really puts the rhythm section up front and the snappy “Rise Above It” recalls the Chili Peppers punk-funk.  “It’s funny because for us, we’re usually holding back,” Foreman says. “On this record we let a little bit more out. “We grew up listening to soul music and Motown,” says Butler. “We took that influence and made sure a song like ‘Restless’ has an emotional element to it.”

“We love music and playing together,” he says. “We thrive on the communal aspect of song and the stories that are invested within. We’ve been through a lot together… Incredible, wonderful moments and also really destructive, painful moments. You can feel that weight in some of the songs. It’s an incredible dream-come-true to say, ‘It’s time for a new Switchfoot record’ and to be able to go into the studio and make the album exactly how we want to make it.”