Album Review :
Jon Foreman - Summer EP

Artist: Jon Foreman
Album: Summer EP
Label: Credential Recordings
Release Date: May 27, 2008
Review by: Eric Pettersson

Tracklist:
1. A Mirror Is Harder to Hold
2. Resurrect Me
3. Deep in Your Eyes (There Is a River)
4. Instead of a Show
5. House of God, Forever
6. Again

As the four seasons come to a close, Jon Foreman delivers what I believe to be his best EP yet. Maybe it’s just because it’s summer right now so I’m more in the mood for a record of corresponding theme, but these songs have become instant sing-alongs in my car in a way that none of the previous EPs did. Jon keeps it original and a little experimental with horns on the mellow “A Mirror Is Harder to Hold” and a strange Eastern string instrument (I think it’s a sitar, but I could be wrong) on the upbeat, almost rocking, “Resurrect Me.” But personally, I find the most connection with this record when the lyrics are straight out of the Bible (and is that any surprise?).HHold “Instead of a Show” comes from a passage in Amos when God tells the people, “I hate, I despise your festivals and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the offerings of well-being of your fattened animals I will not look upon. Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to the melody of your harps. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” (Amos 5:21-24, NRSV). Foreman takes these words, updates them a little, and turns it into a challenging and inspiring song. Similarly, “House of God, Forever” is his paraphrase of the famous Psalm 23, with a relaxing melody so sweet I’m sure King David himself would be proud. Now as the weather starts to cool again, I’ll probably be back in the mood for Fall, but for the next two or three months, Summer is sure to stay in frequent rotation.

9/10

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Note: I actually bought the combined CD release of Spring and Summer, but I only reviewed this EP instead of the whole package because we already had one for Spring. But, I definitely recommend buying both sets of discs, because Fall and Winter’s packaging connects with that of Spring and Summer, which ends up looking really freaking cool.