Jimmy Eat World | Futures

Jimmy Eat World: Futures

...Emo... Damm! I bet myself I could get through this whole review without mentioning that word. Bugger. Inevitable though the Emo tanning of Jimmy Eat World is, it is horrendously unfair to slap the stereotypical tag on 'Futures'. There is no way this album could not get full marks in anyone's book. It's not only the ultimate emo album it is a classic modern rock album to boot.

The Jimmy boys have been threatening this throughout their career. 'Clarity' came close, (lets not be PC) 'Bleed American' came even closer. The title track reached levels of 'One Armed Scissor' supremacy, while 'The Middle' and 'Sweetness' slotted them firmly into the mainstreams eyeline and proved they had an incredible knack for catchiness, just the right side of irritance and Blink 182 sized commercialism. All the ingredients were there for 'Futures' to be insanely good, and by god have they pulled it off in style. This album couldn't fail and it hasn't let the anticipation go to waste.

Opening with the title track, 'Futures' sets the pace brilliantly, as with most of the record it's wholly upbeat, no crying into the microphone business here, on no. Great guitar work, great song construction and great lyrical geniusness combine on every track, and you don't need me to tell you that's a good thing.

Highlights include 2nd single 'Work', 'Polaris' and the magnificent 'Nightdrive'. The first single 'Pain' in actuality is one of the weakest tracks on the album which speaks volumes for its counterparts rather than the fact its a poor song, Every track is laced with insightful lyrics and personal experience, none more so than on the bitter-sweet 'Drugs Or Me'. A 6 minute epic through a friends drug addiction which sticks out like a sore thumb.

All in all this album is superb, no weak points whatsoever. One of my favourites of the year for definite. If you want the perfect *sigh* emo record then this is it. Only Brandnew have the capacity to top them but other than them the chasing pack are nothing in comparison. Congratulations! Jimmy Eat World - Kings of Emoland! It's all downhill from here for the genre. Surely?

Comments

Michael Q wrote...

This album is ace.

Profile | Posted 23rd December 2004 at 20:45

The_Dancing_Badger wrote...

If it is the "ultimate emo album" I trust you are basing this against other quintessential releases by bands within the "emo" genre such as Sunny Day Real Estate, Mineral, The Get Up Kids, Cursive, Thursday, The Promise Ring, Samiam etc.. i don't wish to appear a pedantic arseclown but to these ears J.E.W.'s last album, good as it was, was based firmly in the pop-punk genre, as are the name-checked Brand New.

Profile | Posted 23rd December 2004 at 20:50

Michael Q wrote...

What the fuck is emo?

It's a rock album.

If it wasnt rock it'd be pop.

Profile | Posted 23rd December 2004 at 21:52

Siglacken wrote...

you're emo

Profile | Posted 23rd December 2004 at 21:57

ramzy_ wrote...

"If it is the "ultimate emo album" I trust you are basing this against other quintessential releases by bands within the "emo" genre such as Sunny Day Real Estate, Mineral, The Get Up Kids, Cursive, Thursday, The Promise Ring, Samiam etc."

Indeed, I definately believe its better than sunny day, promice ring, cursive (havn't heard the rest) and to be fair its probably on a par with 'Something to Write Home About'. I've never seen Thursday as being an 'emo' band so havn't compared it directly to 'Full Collapse' with is an awesome record. But yea, its head and shoulders above of what you'd call modern day emo..

Profile | Posted 24th December 2004 at 12:06

abby_912 wrote...

To be honesti wouldnt even class jimmy eat world as emo, and its a bit of a sweeping statement to basically imply they are the only good thing in emo, what about taking back sunday and similar bands... though i completely agree with the standard of this album and this band in general, one of my favorites.

Profile | Posted 25th December 2004 at 23:41

Michael Q wrote...

There's no such thing as emo anyway.

There's rock, pop, country, blues, classical, rap and RnB. That's about all you need.

This is a rock album.
And an excellent one at that.

Profile | Posted 26th December 2004 at 12:59

Siglacken wrote...

arn't bon jovi pop?

Profile | Posted 26th December 2004 at 13:33

Sam Saunders wrote...

no, they're emo - the ultimate emo

Profile | Posted 27th December 2004 at 10:17

The_Dancing_Badger wrote...

I must agree, Jon Bon Jovi's chest hair sets his team of emo pioneers apart from the rest of the emo pretenders, such as Bruce Springsteen, McFly and Donny Osmond. Seriously though (even though i was being serious before), Clarity is easily a)J.E.W.s best album and b) also the most "emo" of all their releases. However, its still not as good as "Endserenading" by Mineral.

Profile | Posted 27th December 2004 at 17:44

ramzy_ wrote...

"and its a bit of a sweeping statement to basically imply they are the only good thing in emo"

hmmm? Did you get that from me? I bloody love emo music...

Profile | Posted 28th December 2004 at 11:36

Review of Jimmy Eat World's CD "Futures"