Switchfoot
Oh! Gravity.
(Columbia)
Being a Christian band would automatically define a tight audience for most groups, but Switchfoot manage to play music that could offend only the most hardened atheist. There's no proselytising or songs about Jesus-inspired ecstasy. God isn't even mentioned - at least not directly. If you weren't aware of their religious background, you could quite easily listen to their music and never be the wiser.
On Oh! Gravity., their sixth album, the five-man band at times offer a less annoying version of Coldplay, at others a softer take on Green Day.
Their music is an upbeat and accessible blend of rock, grunge, indie, pop and punk rhythms. There's nothing groundbreaking here, but it does feature catchy choruses and smooth production by veteran British music man Tim Palmer, who has worked with top bands such as The Cure and U2.
