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I just bought the album in it's entirety on itunes as I want to support JEW in their musical efforts. I first listened to Jimmy when I was in high school back in 2000, and I have loved them more and more ever since. Not that I just automatically liked them, in fact usually when they come out with a new album, I have not liked it all that much. I grow to like it more than anything else they have done before as time passes. Anyway to the album.
Inevitably it has to be compared to their other albums. I've I had to pick one it is most like I would say it's closest to Futures, which makes sense as that is the album that preceded it. I know that will frustrate alot of people as Futures is not their most popular album, I however LOVE it.
I'm sure many of you have heard Big Casino bombarded on the radio at about the top of the hour, the album in many ways follows the formula behind that song. Multiple vocal tracks, lots of post production work, beautiful harmonies, and warm bass riffs. This is not to say every track is just a repeat of Big Casino, but to any long time JEW listener there won't be any massive changes to the sound on this album. The one thing that is really missing from this album is at least one hard rocking track. Jimmy has shows they know how to rock the charts, and I always look forward to their guitar solos as they are the essence of awesome but sadly Big Casino is probably the most hardcore song on the album.
Gotta Be Somebody's Blues: This song is probably the most unique on the entire album, but even it sounds VERY similar in style to the song, "Disintegration" from JEW's B-sides album, "Stay on My Side Tonight". As crazy as it sounds cellos and violin own this song completely. I've never heard strings this funky since the 70's. I really hope they keep exploring this direction in the future.
Chase This Light: Beautiful, is the only word I can think to use to describe this song. It's so warm and enveloping. Only JEW makes songs that sound this full. It reminds me very much of the song, "23" from "Futures." I wish the song did not end as quickly as it does even though it clocks in at 3:27. I wish they had added found a way to make this song blossom at the end, but as it is, it's already one of my favorite songs of all time.
Big Casino: It's your typical JEW radio song. It's a solid song, but it feels like something small was missing from this song, the chorus does not feel quite right. But the lyrics are really interesting.
Always Be: The first 10 seconds had me worried, and then the verse began and I was not so sure about this song, but then the transition and the chorus kicks in and you realize the big picture and suddenly I'm loving this track.
Dizzy: Wise track to end the album on. It feels very transitory. Very, "So long for now, but we've got plenty more to say soon." Jim Adkins said fairly recently that he felt there was too much lag between Futures and this album and that they want to write more prolifically. I hope they can, but I worry that they might burn themselves out if they do, but we will have to see. As for Dizzy. The lyric, "Do you hear the conversation we talk around" is amazing, and it has stayed in my mind all day.
All in all the album was worth $10 easily, but I was questioning that decision at first listen. But once again like all JEW albums it is growing on me, and quickly.
Posts: 14316 | Registered: Jul 2005
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Good CD. Its one of those CDs that you need to lay back and listen to a couple times before it really seeps in.
Posts: 1158 | Registered: Feb 2006
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Jimmy has always been one of those bands special to my heart that can grow with each album while keeping what makes them...them. You always hear about sophomore efforts and whatnot that don't work out or are too big a departure for fans.
Somehow Jimmy Eat World never alienates me. I love Chase This Light. It sounds like a full-album version of the sound you hear in the Stay On My Side Tonight EP (one of my favorite EPs from a band ever...and the Heatmiser cover seals the deal).
Posts: 349 | Registered: Jul 2006
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