So I understand why they didn't want to yell "Jesus Loves You" in people's faces because it might turn them off. I still wish they had made God a little more obvious in some of their songs, but it's not like they're hiding Him. In fact, I commend Jon Foreman for clever work on a number of songs, specifically "Ammunition," "The Beautiful Letdown," and "Adding to the Noise."

    "Dare You to Move," a Walk to Remember hit from the last album, appears on this album for no apparent reason, and while this version is better it's not very different. It is similar to the new track, "This Is Your Life," as they are both soft powerful songs of encouragement. The similarity isn't a bad thing, though (I think they would sound good if someone mixed them well).

    One of my favorites (and of the majority of my friends and acquaintances who own or have listened to this CD), "Gone," successfully carries the message that you're gonna die someday, so make the most of every day. Never repeating the same chorus twice, it's a very cheerful song that manages to mention Elvis, Al Pacino, and Bono all in the same bridge. It's also the only song I've ever heard that sings the phrase "make up" twice, using both definitions. You'll want to listen to this one again once you hear it.

    Switchfoot covers a lot of musical ground, from solid rock on "Meant to Live" and "Ammunition" to catchy upbeat pop on "More Than Fine" and "Gone" to the soft piano-led "On Fire" and "Twenty-Four." New band member and keyboard player Jerome Fontamillas does a nice job on those two, but you can also hear him on the piano/keys throughout the CD if you listen for it. I especially like the guitar work on most of the songs, including tracks 1, 4, 8, and 10. On several songs Jon shows his wide range of vocal talent by hitting some higher notes (it sounds quite nice).

    Overall, The Beautiful Letdown is a big success. Hoping to reach Christians and nonbelievers alike, I think they will accomplish their goal with this album. If you don't like rock, pop, contemporary, or alternative music, then stay away from this CD. But, trust me, this CD gets better with every listen. Undoubtedly Switchfoot's best recording yet, The Beautiful Letdown is a worthy album for your collection.

Music Variety: 10 of 10
Musical Talent: 9 of 10
Lyrical Value: 8 of 10
Worth Buying: 10 of 10
Overall Rating: A (93%)

CCM Magazine (February 2003)
Reviewer:Stephanie Ottosen
The Good News: Each song flows seamlessly into the next and offers all the best flavors of modern rock heard today...Jon Foreman maintains the lyrical integrity of the songs, poetically weaving a theme throughout about the gap between our humanity and the ultimate completion believers find in Christ.
Conclusion: Overall, the album fits well with Switchfoot's three previous recordings but still has a distinctive flavor all its own...it will suffice to say that this album won't be leaving my stereo any time soon.

ChristianityToday.com
The Good News: Jon Foreman and company (who have since added keyboardist and guitarist Jerome Fontamillas to their ranks) have successfully unleashed a modern-rock effort that combines raw guitar blasts with crisp, polished production. As fine an album as Learning to Breathe was, it now sounds a little muddy compared to The Beautiful Letdown...Jon's also improved as a vocalist and has never sounded more confident and passionate, allowing his throaty tenor to range from pop ballad singing to hard rocking yowls. Hardly a letdown – this band has never sounded better...The song order offers a wonderful expression of the spiritual walk fundamental to Christianity, and yet there are few overt references to Jesus in the lyrics. They're present, but worded in such a way to open doors to those who don't understand the Gospel.
Conclusion: Combining powerful sounds with thought-provoking lyrics, The Beautiful Letdown is a wholly satisfying modern-rock effort that establishes Switchfoot as one of the premier bands in Christian music. If there's a letdown here, it's the likelihood that Switchfoot won't always be able to top themselves after this one, though this is a band that has so far proven capable of continued greatness.

JesusFreakHideout.com
The Good News:Now with The Beautiful Letdown, Switchfoot is on pace to break down a barrier that always seems to build back up while assembling a partition around themselves as the only artist to do whatever it is that they do so well... “Meant to Live” comes in as a radio rock powerhouse that should be played and overplayed like any good rock station does while “This Is Your Life” molds techno beats and rock greatness to create the greatest song of the album presenting what new addition Jerome Fontamillas (keys/ guitar), formerly of Mortal fame, has to offer.
Rating: 4 of 5

CMusicWeb.com
The Unexpected News: Surprisingly, the hit single "Dare You to Move" from the band's last album reappears on The Beautiful Letdown, but both versions sound nearly identical except for a stronger showing of electric guitar and a piercing yell added by Jon Foreman at the track's conclusion.
The Good News: The Beautiful Letdown is a lyrical gem in every sense of the word...This project also ignites a new musical maturity for Switchfoot. While Learning to Breathe was a well-blended recipe of alternative and modern rock, the band really turns on the crunch during this record, giving them a weighty rock/pop clamor. New member Jerome Fontamillas's presence is also more than welcome at the keyboard...This gnashing trio features the most intense rock Switchfoot has ever performed - not to mention the loudest Jon Foreman has probably ever screamed. Still, there are the mellow and worshipful cuts like "On Fire" and "24," a personal favorite.
Conclusion:Listeners looking for just another glamorous rock album will be disappointed. However, if you want to be challenged to get reconnected with God's plan for your life, then there's no better selection to make. This is a CD that has shown me what an awesome feeling it is to drop everything you're doing only to crash and burn on God's promises.