The casual listener might not be too impressed with the band Jimmy Eat World and their self-titled fourth album. Their sound is nothing really original or outstanding, and their melodies are strong, but not spectacular. The casual listener might dismiss Jimmy Eat World as just another hotshot rock band.
A deeper look might surprise you, though. There is more to the music of Jimmy Eat World than first meets the eye. They may not bring anything new to the world of music, but they play their songs with enthusiasm and conviction. At the same time, their sound is polished and well produced- the album is not too raw, and not too sterile.
Melody plays a big part in Jimmy Eat World's sound. Songs such as the upbeat "Praise Chorus" and the hit single "The Middle" boast catchy choruses and beats that remain stuck in your head for days. On top of their pop hooks and melodies, though, Jimmy Eat World also throws in some rugged guitar licks and genuine vocals. The instrumentation is not amazing in itself, but the way it combines with the enthusiasm and melodies of the band makes this album stand out from the crowd just enough to make the record interesting.
As far as the lyrics are concerned, this album is not as cohesive as I would have liked, but the words to the songs are fresh and, at times, interesting. Unfortunately, some songs, such as "If You Don't Don't" and the aforementioned "The Middle" include a few cliches and less interesting thoughts, but, as with the rest of the album, the band's dogged enthusiasm keeps the songs from seeming silly or stale. Several of the songs on the record, however, go well beyond triteness and bring new thoughts to the table. "Bleed American," the rocking, punk-influenced album opener, is a biting, almost bombastic look at the greed and commercialism that go hand in hand with American consumerism. Other lyrical highlights of the CD include "Your House," which finds the singer trying to resist temptation while with a seductive female, and the moving "Hear You Me.," in which the band addresses a deceased friend as, "a heart so big/ God wouldn't let it live."
Jimmy Eat World still has some things to learn before they reach the artistic status of Switchfoot or Jars of Clay, but as far as modern rock albums go, their self-titled (formerly titled Bleed American) record is impressive, and Jimmy Eat World is much more mature than some of their musical counterparts, such as Green Day. Not only do the members of Jimmy Eat World craft memorable melodies, but they champion Christian values while remaining honest about their own depravity and sinful desires. Both are commendable achievements, and Jimmy Eat World is a band to watch out for because of that.
Josh's Score: 3.5/5
Amber's Score: 3.5/5
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth August 2001Reviewed by Michial FarmerEmo scenesters hate Jimmy Eat World almost as much as they do The Juliana Theory (if that's possible), and, looking from their perspective, it's not that difficult to see why. JEW have precious little in common with the razorblade guitars and broken vocals of Fugazi or Rites of Spring. My advice to the scenesters who want to like the band but can't is to drop the "emo" from their "emo-pop" tag…ReAL Magazine 2001Reviewed by Kevin D. HendricksIt's a crazy name for a band and an impressive CD. It starts off hard hitting, but is still able to mellow into a steady rocker with emotion, energy, and fun. All 11 tracks are worth listening to, and there's enough variety to keep you interested. 'Bleed American' starts the album with a heavy hitting sarcastic rip on life in America. 'A Praise Chorus' is an aggressive rocker that borrows lyrics…ReAL Magazine 2001Reviewed by Kevin D. HendricksModern rock with attitude, edge, and introspective, hopeful lyrics. They know when to hit hard and heavy, and they know when to lay back and let the music build slowly. It's well-produced and still has plenty of attitude. This is a disc worth checking out.Similar sounding releases
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