Post by rachel on Jun 13, 2008 12:04:42 GMT -5
Jimmy Eat World - Chase This Light
This album was by far my most anticipated album in a very long time. Jimmy Eat World is one of four of my elite top favorite bands (which basically means no other bands can touch them). I went through hell to get this album after midnight on Monday. I made the guy at Walmart dig through every last new release box looking for it, and after eight boxes of Christmas albums, realized I was S.O.L. But by 4a.m. iTunes saved the day. This album is one reason why I slept for less than 6 hours in the past two days.
First off, my main anxiety about this album was the hope that it would include a “23”-ish track. I couldn’t even fathom something better, which is where the anxiety came from I guess. As you may know, “Futures” is my personal favorite album by JEW, with “Clarity” at a close second. But I do of course enjoy the punk rocky-ness of Bleed American. So for starters, I will say that this album encompasses a great combination, within each song, of “Futures” melodic beauty and Bleed American’s fast drums and guitar.
“Chase This Light” starts with the first single, “Big Casino,” which from the get go you know is going to be rockin’… and it is. For now it remains one of my favorite songs on the album, despite the fact that I’ve been listening to the half-version on Myspace for months now. The chorus is some serious pump up-age.
Next up we head back to “Futures,” the opening notes of “Let It Happen” reminded me blatantly of “Kill.” God this song is so good. “Carry You” is my second favorite track (we will get to my first at the end, where it belongs). It didn’t catch me at first but after a couple listens I put it on repeat. It is full of the usual flawless JEW harmonizing, and the lyrics are sweet as hell.“Here’s to living in the moment…” is such a simple line, but so wonderful. This track is followed by “Electable” the harmonizing is really Sweetness-ish. JEW has to be the most talented “oh oh oh”-ers in the world.
Another anticipation I had for this album was some “Clarity” sound, and/or “Night Drive” sound (which was the only “Clarity” throw back on “Futures,” I say.) I got this in “Gotta Be Somebody’s Blues,” The strings on this track are mind blowing, and overall it has that awesome haunting sound that makes you want to lay on the ground in the dark somewhere, just like “Night Drive.” And the drums… amazing.
Lastly, I just want to skip to the final track. It’s called “Dizzy.” I’ve had the album for less than 48 hours, and according to iTunes I’ve already played this track 87 times. And at 4 minutes and 47 seconds, that means I spent about 18% of my past 36 hours listening to this song, and that is more than I have spent sleeping. It does not beat “23.” My all time favorite JEW song, and one of my top ten favorite songs of all time, but it does beat out every other JEW song, hands down. Yes, it is better than “Episode IV,” “Work,” and “Just Watch the Fireworks.” Maybe even combined. It is the second most beautiful, powerful, emotional track JEW has written to date. I think I was crying through my first ten listens. If you do anything in the next three days, it should be somehow getting this song. I promise, if you appreciate music at all this song will hit you hard.
So now my anxiety is gone, and I can officially say that this album is just another testament to why NO band can put their hands on Jimmy Eat World. Radio stations and singles do them no justice whatsoever. To know this band, you have to know their albums. Chase This Light is amazing, and I hope what I have written here will persuade at least one of you to experience the perfection that is Jim Adkins, Rick Burch, Zach Lind, and Tom Linton. Now I shall go listen to “Dizzy,” 89 and counting…
This album was by far my most anticipated album in a very long time. Jimmy Eat World is one of four of my elite top favorite bands (which basically means no other bands can touch them). I went through hell to get this album after midnight on Monday. I made the guy at Walmart dig through every last new release box looking for it, and after eight boxes of Christmas albums, realized I was S.O.L. But by 4a.m. iTunes saved the day. This album is one reason why I slept for less than 6 hours in the past two days.
First off, my main anxiety about this album was the hope that it would include a “23”-ish track. I couldn’t even fathom something better, which is where the anxiety came from I guess. As you may know, “Futures” is my personal favorite album by JEW, with “Clarity” at a close second. But I do of course enjoy the punk rocky-ness of Bleed American. So for starters, I will say that this album encompasses a great combination, within each song, of “Futures” melodic beauty and Bleed American’s fast drums and guitar.
“Chase This Light” starts with the first single, “Big Casino,” which from the get go you know is going to be rockin’… and it is. For now it remains one of my favorite songs on the album, despite the fact that I’ve been listening to the half-version on Myspace for months now. The chorus is some serious pump up-age.
Next up we head back to “Futures,” the opening notes of “Let It Happen” reminded me blatantly of “Kill.” God this song is so good. “Carry You” is my second favorite track (we will get to my first at the end, where it belongs). It didn’t catch me at first but after a couple listens I put it on repeat. It is full of the usual flawless JEW harmonizing, and the lyrics are sweet as hell.“Here’s to living in the moment…” is such a simple line, but so wonderful. This track is followed by “Electable” the harmonizing is really Sweetness-ish. JEW has to be the most talented “oh oh oh”-ers in the world.
Another anticipation I had for this album was some “Clarity” sound, and/or “Night Drive” sound (which was the only “Clarity” throw back on “Futures,” I say.) I got this in “Gotta Be Somebody’s Blues,” The strings on this track are mind blowing, and overall it has that awesome haunting sound that makes you want to lay on the ground in the dark somewhere, just like “Night Drive.” And the drums… amazing.
Lastly, I just want to skip to the final track. It’s called “Dizzy.” I’ve had the album for less than 48 hours, and according to iTunes I’ve already played this track 87 times. And at 4 minutes and 47 seconds, that means I spent about 18% of my past 36 hours listening to this song, and that is more than I have spent sleeping. It does not beat “23.” My all time favorite JEW song, and one of my top ten favorite songs of all time, but it does beat out every other JEW song, hands down. Yes, it is better than “Episode IV,” “Work,” and “Just Watch the Fireworks.” Maybe even combined. It is the second most beautiful, powerful, emotional track JEW has written to date. I think I was crying through my first ten listens. If you do anything in the next three days, it should be somehow getting this song. I promise, if you appreciate music at all this song will hit you hard.
So now my anxiety is gone, and I can officially say that this album is just another testament to why NO band can put their hands on Jimmy Eat World. Radio stations and singles do them no justice whatsoever. To know this band, you have to know their albums. Chase This Light is amazing, and I hope what I have written here will persuade at least one of you to experience the perfection that is Jim Adkins, Rick Burch, Zach Lind, and Tom Linton. Now I shall go listen to “Dizzy,” 89 and counting…