Customer Reviews

Between the Dim & The Dark

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It's always exciting when I am counting down the days to an album release, wake up at 10 in the morning on my day off (release day, yesterday) to get a copy, and the album does not disappoint me. Jump's (aka "Jump, Little Children") Between the Dim and the Dark was one of those albums that actually exceeded my expectations. The promo sticker on the packaging dubbed the album one with the pop sense of Magazine but with the soaring melodies of Vertigo, and I would have to agree.

Every song has a great hook that keeps you drawn into the music, and the lyrics range from poetic ("these words in my head/ pull like a team/ of wild horses/ side by side their heads to the red ground") to humorous ("I won't let you leave/ not with all my Django/ Emmy Lou and Steve"). Although the band has a very lush sound, guest musicians like violinist Amanda Kapousouz add richness to the melodies. It's very easy to listen to the album and get lost in the music, especially because all of these songs go together incredibly well.

Anyway, I highly recommend this album. Jump is continuing to get better with every album they release, and I am already looking forward to what they will come out with next. I would also recommend that you purchase at least one copy - I've got the feeling that I will be wearing mine out pretty quickly.

Jump consistently blows me away. Each and every one of their albums has a different sound, style, or whathaveyou. And yet, each and every album is wonderful. Between the Dim and the Dark is a work of art unto itself. It is a complete package; and while each song stands alone, the album is greater than the sum of its parts.

Jump continues with this album in its fearless pursuit of music free from major-label slavery; and the work is showing.

Between the Dim and the Dark is a cohesive work that you can listen to and really say, "this is Jump's sound." It is unlike almost anything else you will hear. Regardless of what sort of music you are a fan of, this album will get into your blood.

This album is not as great all-the-way-through like Magazine and Vertigo, but it is very good, highlighted by "Dim & the Dark", "Midnight", and "Requiem." Unlike Jump's previous releases, I find myself repeating just those tracks frequently, but I do listen to and enjoy ALL tracks. Best moment - from "Requiem", the sublimely redundant:

It's up to you
for every passing day
to not let the past pass away

Genius.

This cd, is utterly amazing. I loved all the previous cds especially hyper active "Magazine" and mellow "Vertigo". "Between the Dim and the Dark" is truley another amazing cd from the group. All the songs are so beautifully composed. Once i bought this cd, i was listening to it the entire day. Jay Cliffords vocals are so soothing and stunning. The lyrics are compelling and in a whole a great addition to any jump fan's music collection.

Well, they've done it this time. They've put together a diverse yet cohesive bunch of music that will please hard core fans as well as new devotees. This album is pure joy - even the sad bits are tinged with hope. You can understand almost every single word - which is a treat for those of us who really care about the lyrics. And I can't exclaim enough about how great the drum track are - Education is a revelation in hip-shaking rhythym. And Broken - only the best song I've ever heard and it shows off Jay's voice to it's full power. Then there are the instruments we all love them for - cello, stand-up bass, harmonica, accordion, mandolin, and they've even squeezed in some keyboards and other strings for good measure. Even though this is not a head-banging loud album, you should turn it way, way up when you listen. Each strand of the magical tapestry will become clearer that way. You will not be wasting your money on this one - in fact - you'll be proud to tell your grandchildren about how you were one of the first to buy it - before it became a huge, huge, huge hit. Congratulations, boys, you hit this one out of the park.

It seemed everyone was skeptical about Jump, Little Children's name change. I don't understand why they did it, and frankly I don't like it, but this CD lacks nothing. The same beautiful sound that relaxes you and the same angelic voice that sings you to sleep. I recomend this CD to anyone who liked Jump, Little Children, especially those who liked such songs as Words Of Wisdom, Cathedrals, Close Your Eyes, and Angeldust. Jump dosen't skip a beat.

I've been a fan of Jump (formerly Jump, Little Children) and followed them locally prior to their release of Magazine in 1998. Their music before that is undoubtedly the best, but Magazine sacrificed the band's soul for greater popularity. Since then (which many original Jump fans consider the sellout point of their music), the band has been gradually pulling themselves up by the bootstraps. Vertigo was understandably more somber, but reached back to their roots stylistically. This most recent album maintains the more mellow feel of Vertigo, but the music is more upbeat and the songs are some of the most beautiful the band has ever recorded. But I still long for jig-worthy tunes like many of Jump's earliest, including Opium and Easter Parade. That said, Jump is one of the most underrated and impressively talented groups I've ever heard. Whenever a Jump song pops up on my iPod playlist in the car, friends ask "who is this?" With the delicious variations of their style, there's a Jump song for everyone's playlist.

This CD far surpasses antything they have done before. I own all of their previous albums, and they are all wonderful in their own right. This one is different though. More mature and put together. I love it and reccomend it to everyone! I agree with the other posters, buy one for yourself and one for a friend. Giving the gift of Jump is great! If you don't own all of the albums, buy them all! And don't forget that they put on the most selfless, wonderful live show you will ever see. This guys love their fans and we love them, so show some support!!!

I, like other reviewers posted here, am I long time (looooong time) JLC fan. And yes, this album is different just like the name of the band (now "Jump") is different. But ALL the albums have been different. "Buzz" was different from "Licorice Tea" was different from "Magazine" was different from "Vertigo." Fortunately, all the members of the band are blazingly talented and can pull off every new sound they try. Real hard-core fans will remember a couple years back when JLC started a "tradition" (I don't know that they still do it) at their live shows where they covered "Enter Sandman" as an intro to "My Guitar." And it worked. Five art-college-nerd musicians (they call themselves nerds) pulled off a mind-blowing metal cover.

I'll be the first to admit that if given a choice, I prefer the old, playful, JLC songs like "Anybody," "Seven Days," "Someone's in the Kitchen," etc. But if YOU were as talented as these guys, would you want to spend your career trapped in one genre? How many sounds has David Bowie gone through? Or Prince? Or Sting? And yes, they all have albums that are stronger than others. But this release from JLC or "Jump" or whatever you decide to call them is (like another review put it) a keeper.

Highlights: title track, #2, #5, #8

"Low"lights: it's only 10 songs long. The boys plan to put out an EP later in the year. They recorded way more than actually got put on the album...mostly because they were looking to put out a record that had *one* sound and didn't sound like 5 different bands made it (cf. Magazine). That, to answer another reviewer's question, is why Matt's VOICE is not present on the album...but Matt's accordion, Mandolin, and keys are still there. That *one* sound is, admittedly, a more mature sound. But it's still better music than you could pray for on Top 40 radio. I bought the CD the day it came out, and listened to it 6 times in the first 24 hours. I still can't get enough.

I've seen Jump twice now. First was the older stuff, and second was primarily this album. I had only listened to a few of the new songs before going, but that wasnt an issue, it certainly didnt make it any less amazing. The depth of the music comes across through the album, you can hear the growth, but its still the same amazing voices, rhythms and lyrics. to see them in person performing this album was something else. I can think of few bands that give a comparable live show. So buy the album, and see the show, and you wont be dissapointed. Maybe if youre lucky youll get to meet the band like i did.