A very “unique” album, this one is. That is the first word that comes to mind, “unique”. David Crowder, though, is a very unique individual himself though, isn’t he?

The album has been fun to listen to a bit in the office and tonight for the first time in the car to give it the “road test” on the way to Goshen. Numerous tracks ARE singable, though some of them are “just for listening”, I would say.

I expected more “we could do this song in youth group” tracks and found those songs missing from this “work of art”.

I enjoyed the humorous phone-interview track at the end of the CD where Crowder talks to a fellow about the album giving us the inside-scoop, I guess you could say.

I also enjoyed the enhanced version of the album that I own via iTunes that included a behind-the-scenes video of the making of “I Saw The Light”.

Track 5, “Foreverandever Etc…” is most definitely my favorite track thus far, but this album will take some time to sink in and I’m sure I’ll uncover more musical greatness as I listen more intently.

What is there to say about the WORLD’S GREATEST BAND’s latest album that hasn’t already been said?

Besides a brief roadtrip to Goshen with the iPod rocking the Neon’s sound system, this CD has NOT left the PLAY position in the Neon’s in-dash stereo since the DAY it came out! Seriously, it is a non-stop play both in the car and in the office via iTunes. I can’t get enough of it.

Favorite song: “The Shadow Proves the Sunshine” – liked it so much, I had our “sign-guy” at church put that slogan on our church sign. Read into the phrase as much, or as little as you wish. In the song, Foreman (lead singer) actually sings upwards into the strings of a piano while laying on his back during the recording! How do I know this? I got the Dual-Disc version that includes a DVD video of the “making of”. Very interesting stuff, though the video leaves out Switchfoot’s Christian Faith nearly altogether.

Of their last 2-albums, I would say that THIS album is the most Christ-centered or “in your face” lyrically about where Switchfoot draws their inspiration. At the same time, this is also an album that will cause some inquisitive parents to wonder what their children are listening to. Track 5, “Easier Than Love”, screams the lyric “sex” often, which SHOULD catch listeners and make them listen to the message of the song!

This new Switchfoot album has DEFINITELY been placed in my all-time greatest list and will forever hold its position, I’m sure.

Last night Jess and I joined her family for the 10:10PM showing of “The Greatest Game Ever Played“. Normally, I would have suggested we wait for this one to come out on DVD instead of spending the $7-$9 to see it in the theater. Last night, however, we were celebrating Dad Garrett’s birthday – and he’s a lover of golf, so what better movie to watch?!

I think we can say that we all enjoyed the movie, though I found much of it lacking. Numerous “drawn-out” shots of tee-shots kind of wore on me a bit personally. I enjoyed the storyline, though I found it confusing at first when the previews told me nothing of Mr. Harry Vardon – the world’s greatest golfer being a part of the story. When the movie starts out showing his terrible childhood I’m thinking that this is the caddy from the previews. It wasn’t.

The movie is VERY clean, minus some typical “English” language and bar-action. The storyline is great: give your word to your father that you’ll give up golf if you don’t qualify for the US Open. Then, DON’T qualify for the US Open. Then change your mind and end up qualifying for the US Open. Then WIN the US Open. Then Dad gives you money and tears are shed.

Nice, huh?

Seriously, though the movie plot is “obvious” even if you’ve never heard of Francis Ouimet, the movie itself is a great family-flick that involves the game of golf.

And here I thought it was a movie about a card game!