|PIC1|Five-piece Californian band Switchfoot continue to rise on the US Billboard chart, as their latest release, the critically acclaimed album Oh! Gravity., hit number 18 immediately after its late December release.

Associated Press called the project 'an outstanding record in every sense'.

And if widespread popularity in the States isn't enough, the band now prepares to kick off their European tour, which starts in the beginning of February.

Performances will be held in Germany, Denmark, and the UK.

The band were due to tour Europe last summer but were forced to cancel due to a family medical situation. The band members stated on their website: "We feel as disappointed as many of you might feel, please accept our apologies. We will absolutely be back as soon as we possibly can."

The groundbreaking band is renowned for its 'meaningful' songs. Lead singer Jon Foreman describes his feelings on the band's sixth studio album Oh! Gravity.: "We wanted to make a record that was honest. A record that didn't trip on itself. A record that represented everything that we first fell in love with about music. We tried to forget about theory and pitch and timing and focus on feeling. As a result, I think that Oh! Gravity. is the most honest thing we've ever done."

Oh! Gravity. is produced by Tim Palmer (U2, Tears For Fears, Tin Machine, James) and Switchfoot. The album is executive produced by Grammy-winning Producer of the Year Steve Lillywhite, who also helmed the track, "Awakening", with additional production by Tim Palmer and Switchfoot. In 2004, Switchfoot's frontman Jon Foreman claimed to be "Christian by faith, not by genre".

"We've always been very open and honest about where the songs are coming from. For us, these songs are for everyone. Calling us 'Christian rock' tends to be a box that closes some people out and excludes them. And that's not what we're trying to do. Music has always opened my mind - and that's what we want."

For more information, go to www.Switchfoot.com.