Jimmy’s Got a Large Appetite

Jimmy Eat World has released their latest, so get ready to crank up the car stereo. Formerly called Bleed American, the album was changed in the wake of Sept. 11th to a self-titled release. Once again, J.E.W. has shown their range by pulling together something cohesive, though certainly more poppy and MTV-friendly than their previous work.It sounds aimed toward a more mainstream audience, produced with an emo-punk feel. The album moves a little too quickly until the low-key midpoint “Hear You Me,” then picks up again with “If You Don’t, Don’t,” and ends on a decidedly bittersweet note with “My Sundown.” Piano and backup vocals give it a softer edge that balance the enthusiastic yet appealing boys-with-electric-guitars aesthetic. It’s hard to dislike the energetic rhythms and scream-with-me vocals.

The album is certainly a large step away from their previous ones. Clarity had a much mellower sound overall, and Static Prevails was more hardcore. Jimmy Eat World is now in the pop realm, getting the band immense recognition on the airwaves, not to mention a place on the Pop Disaster Tour opening for Greenday and Blink 182. Where they go from here depends on the sound they want to create. My hope is that they won’t let fame rule and ruin the music, but rather keep the emo feel that they helped define.