Reviewed by Tom Whitman

For a prolific songwriter like Jon Foreman it must have been a privilege to release a series of seasonal EPs in the last year while his multi-platinum band Switchfoot continued to tour. For the second collection of EPs taking on the seasons of 'Spring And Summer' he continues with the introspective musings and scripturally inspired songs coursing through his creative veins. He brutally assesses his marriage on the tender "In My Arms", singing the refrain "Love, we sleep apart for the last time.' "Baptize My Mind" is the most musically interesting song of the 'Spring' section, the woodwinds and flutes providing a wonderful backdrop to the plea of baptism for the mind and eyes. The hauntingly affecting "Your Love Is Strong" incorporates the Lord's prayer into the song, continuing the ongoing scripturally centred approach of the project. Foreman is lyrically sharp and touching throughout, albeit with a different slant to his Switchfoot songs, and the Eastern-influenced moments add a welcome touch of eccentricity and vibrancy. 'Summer' perhaps provides the better selection of songs and again benefits from the brilliant vocals of Sarah Masen on "The House Of God Forever" as she threatens to show up Foreman with a great delivery. While "Deep In Your Eyes" is emotive, the track "Revenge" is forgettable and it is hard to see what tangible point Foreman is making with it. Nonetheless the clever arrangements and ambitious nature of the project are affirmed by a depth of songwriting that extends his craft and repertoire into a new arena that has the potential to be of equal yet differing impact to Switchfoot. It's a tough task to place six songs within each season and for them to both relate to each other and to the season they represent but Foreman achieves that with a depth of songwriting that extends his songcraft even further.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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