IN REVIEW: Jimmy Eat World - "Integrity Blues"

Jimmy Eat World have undergone a slow evolution in their 20 years or so of existence, from hard edged emo vanguards to middle-of-the-road (pun intended) adult contemporary rockers; their ninth album is their shiniest yet, with their typically nocturnal vibes accentuated by guitars that shimmer more often than they slash and a brighter, pop-leaning production (courtesy Justin Meldal-Johnsen, who in recent years has worked on pop breakouts by Paramore and Tegan and Sara, among others). Things might have fallen flat here if not for the songwriting strength of the band; fortunately, Jimmy Eat World turn in some of their best, catchiest songs since breaking out with The Middle a decade and a half ago. Current single Sure and Certain was born for the airwaves, as are a handful of others. There are a few more muscular moments, such as the soaring, sinister Get Right, the pulsating, Silversun Pickups-recalling Pretty Grids and the closing minute and change of Pass the Baby (which sideswipes you with something approaching Soundgarden), but Integrity Blues is mostly focused on giving Taylor Swift more treadmill jams. As night-and-day as the sound of this record may be for someone who hasn't traced Jimmy Eat World's trajectory over the last fifteen years, Integrity Blues is much more successful at updating the band and inserting them into the modern music landscape than their last few records. So as to say, after years of well-meaning, albeit sometimes awkward attempts to adapt to the times, Jimmy Eat World finally fit in again. They were right all along; it just took some time.

October 21, 2016 • Dine Alone
Highlights Sure and Certain • Get Right • Through

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