Customer Reviews

Chase This Light

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(23)
3 star:		(14)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As they've plugged away for over a decade, crafting music that wears it's heart on it's sleeve so proudly that it's often mistaken for emo, Jimmy Eat World have managed to not only influence a new generation of bands, but also crank out classic after classic. From 1999's "Clarity" --which still goes by underappreciated to this day -- to 2004's groundbreaking, somewhat experimental "Futures," they have yet to miss a step, simultaneously tinkering and fine tuning their sound along the way. So it should come as no surprise that their sixth studio album, "Chase This Light" contains the standard Jimmy Eat World watermarks, such as huge choruses, clap-along verses and plenty of good-guy, let me be your boyfriend gushing from frontman Jim Adkins. But like it's predecessor, "Futures," they're doing their best to grow with their audience and create songs that are more universal and stand the test of time as more than just anthems for your High School prom. With "Chase This Light," they give us the best of both worlds. The sound that won audiences over with the breakthrough album, "Bleed American," is held intact here with songs such as "Carry You" and "Feeling Lucky," while the band explores other avenues later in the album. "Here It Goes" is an upbeat, almost dance-able throwback to the 80's (and no, not of the wretched Fall Out Boy type) that puts a spin on an album that might otherwise play like Jimmy Eat World on autopilot. Likewise, the creepy, crawly "Gotta Be Somebody's Blues" shows off a darker side of Jimmy Eat World that is rarely explored, and turns out to be one of the better songs of the album. To be truthful, there isn't a bad song on this disc, but the reason why it gets four stars instead of five is because on too many songs, they play it safe. They've shown they can go in new directions and make it work, so why bother churning out the same kind of songs we've heard already? In all honesty, a couple songs turn out sounding like "Bleed American" or "Futures" b-sides (not that they've ever recorded a bad b-side) and that's not a good sign. Even still, fans should be thrilled with this album and as usual, it's something that anyone from any walk of life should be able to pick up and appreciate in one way or another. It's just another good ol' Jimmy Eat World album, and that's okay.

After breaking through with the smash single "The Middle" back in 2001, Mesa, AZ band Jimmy Eat World looked poised to become a household name for pop/rock fans across the country. After the success of subsequent singles "Sweetness" and "A Praise Chorus," along with several mainstream movies sampling the tearjerker ballad "Hear You Me," Jimmy Eat World's self-titled (previously named Bleed American but changed after the September 11th attacks) album went platinum. Instead of following up their smash cd with pop/rock songs, Jimmy Eat World released a darker album filled with alternative rock songs ("Pain" "Work") and searing emotional ballads ("23" "Kill"). The album, titled "Futures," fell short of its predecessor in sales, but managed to go gold and satisfy the growing masses of Jimmy Eat World fans.

With "Futures" in the rearview, Jimmy Eat World went back into the studio with no expectations of what the new album would sound like. Lead singer Jim Adkins' only goal was to create the very best album that his band could make at the time of the recording. After three years in between albums, the resultant "Chase This Light" made its way to stores in the Fall of 2007. The album comes across as a blend of the band's previous two albums, combining the catchy pop songs of its self-titled album with the uptempo rock songs on "Futures." The album plays out as such.

1. Big Casino- 9/10
A catchy opener and great choice for the lead single off the album. A smart blend of pop and rock that is oozing with machismo.

2. Let It Happen- 9/10
A rocking uptempo song with a sick yet simple chorus. One of the best on the cd.

3. Always Be- 9/10
The second single off the album, this track is a mid-tempo gem that showcases the band's unique instrumental blends.

4. Carry You- 10/10
The best song on the album, and most likely the third single off the album. Amazing lyrics that build up to a beautiful climax.
"Roll down the window, let the cold air come in,
Slap my face just to feel, to feel you somehow again"

5. Electable- 8/10
An uptempo rocking song with a sing-a-long chorus.

6. Gotta Be Somebody's Blues- 7/10
Not the best slow number Jimmy has created, but a solid tune nonetheless.

7. Feeling Lucky- 7/10
Another uptempo tune with a bit of a retro sound to it.

8. Here It Goes- 9/10
An amazingly catchy song that will lead you to visions of people rollerskating around a rink as a giant disco ball spins. Listen to the song and you'll know what I mean.

9. Chase This Light- 9/10
A beautiful ballad with emotional lyrics and a great drumbeat.
"Confetti Rainfall"- what a great line.

10. Firefight- 7/10
A mid-tempo solid number.

11. Dizzy- 10/10
Jimmy Eat World knows how to close an album out with style. This searing rock song is filled with solid lyrics and heartfelt emotion, and rivals "Carry You" for the honors of best song on the album.

With "Chase This Light," Jimmy Eat World proves once again that they are incapable of making a bad album. The light at the end of the tunnel for these Mesa rockers shines brighter with each effort, so here's to hoping that JEW continues to chase this light for many years to come.

When I say Jimmy Eat World, i think of textured guitars, yearning vocals, and driving ballads detailing unrequited love. Somewhere inbetween 2004's Futures and Chase This Light, the band lost a few of these factors. All that remains is the 3 minute pop/rock single, a catchy chorus or two, and an album that leaves you wanting just a hint more depth.

Chase This Light recalls the style of Bleed American with it's tight melodies and song structures, however, my least favorite songs from Bleed American(Authority Song, Your House) were more favorable than many of the cuts from "Chase". It seems the band took the sound of Static Prevails, Clarity, and Futures and discarded it for a record with more commercial appeal.

The lack of an actual hard-rock song dissapointed me as well. Every other Jimmy album had one: Static was filled with 'em; Clarity had Your New Aesthetic and Blister; Bleed Am. had the title track; Futures had NothingWrong. Chase's heaviest track would have to be Let It Happen, but that is taking the word 'heavy' to a whole new low.

With all my disappointment in the new record, I still gave it a 4/5. Why? Because the record is NOT BAD!!! It is a solid piece of candy-coated, rock-tastic, sugarplum goodness, and that is how it should be received. Jim's lyrics are enticing, catchy, beautiful and true. The instruments are layered quite nicely throughout (especially on 'Gotta Be Somebody's Blue's'), and the songs are great to listen to while on the road. I will always enjoy the music these guys create, no matter what path they decide to tread.

The production gets slicker with every release and with Butch Vig at the helm, well, you get the picture. That's too bad because when you market for a mass audience, the music tends to suffer. So is the case with Chase This Light, Jimmy Eat World's latest release. Futures painted with darker themes but still held some sembelance of hope. Chase embraces the poppiest moments of Bleed American and makes them more so. It's a shame they insist on backtracking than blazing. Also, you have a hard time believing Jim Adkins is still dealing with the woes of a post-adolescent at 31.

That being said, he can still write some decent pop tunes. The songs that stand out are the sugariest, goofiest ones: whether it's the cheesy synthesizers and handclaps on "Here It Goes" or the Angels-and-Airwaves-like chorus of trained seals on "Electable (Give It Up)." "Big Casino" sounds like vintage Jimmy but in a good way, bringing back some of the magic of "Sweetness" while peppering it with high-soaring guitars and clean vocal harmonies.

But for every hook that could spend hours in your head, there's an uninspired dud. The snoozefest "Carry You" and thouroghly annoying "Feeling Lucky" would have been better as b-sides. Some of the melancholy songs (particularly "Gotta Be Somebody's Blues") bring to mind the contemplative sonic soundscapes of Futures, but their inclusion in the album makes them token downers.

In all, Jimmy Eat World plays it safe. The few chances it takes it succeeds, which is why it's somewhat disappointing. It begs the question: why not take more chances? Jimmy has done much better than this. I know I'm not alone in saying that I hope they find ways to push themselves into new territory, regardless of record label aristocracy or slick producers.

I had felt that "Futures" had not lived up to the expectation set by "Clarity" and their self-titled album. However, after hearing "Big Casino" on the radio I decided to pick up "Chase This Light" - and boy am I glad I did.

This album is most comparable sound wise to the self-titled album. The first 5 tracks are all up-tempo, rocking tunes - something I think there was too little of on "Futures". I would classify eight of the eleven songs as fast-paced. The only ballads being: "Gotta Be Somebody's Blues", "Chase This Light", and "Dizzy". Out of these I only really enjoyed "Dizzy".

Even if the music isn't technically groundbreaking, it is danceable - and the choruses are catchy. Thematically, the lyrics deal with what every Jimmy Eat World album has dealt with: relationships, finding happiness, break-ups. Nothing new - but it doesn't have to be to be good.

This is hands down one of the best albums of the year. It will please longtime Jimmy Eat World fans and is accessible to those who have never listened before. If you're debating getting the entire album, listen to the first 5 tracks and I guarantee you'll go for the whole album. Highly Recommended.

With all of the bands I follow and love, even my favorite bands inevitably make new albums with great songs, but songs that just don't really compare to their earlier work. I won't say "Chase This Light" bucks that trend by exceeding JEW's earlier work, but I will say that this album equals their past works, which is a feat in of itself. Big Casino, Let It Happen, Dizzy and especially the title track, Chase This Light are sure to be instant classics. And not only that, they are as strong, if not stronger, than their earlier singles. It gives me a great thrill that Jimmy Eat World can create a great new album, but on top of that create great memorable songs that will stand the test of their discography.

I'm a huge J.E.W fan, while this is not their best effort, it does give you your fix. Let's do better next time guys.

Let me just start by saying that I think Jimmy Eat World can do no wrong and Jim Adkins is one of the sexiest men on earth because he is "real". What you see is what you get and what you get is a brilliant songwriter, singer, performer that gives so much of himself to you that if you ever met this guy, you'd already know so much about him that you'd just go up and slap him on the back and say "Hey, Jim, nice to see you." Jim is one of us and we know it. One more statement: their previous CD, Futures, was absolutely and unquestionably one of the most brilliant CD's of all time.

Okay, now I got that off my proverbial chest, let me say something about their newest CD, Chase This Light. Realistically, anything that comes after "Futures" has a hard act to follow. Chase This Light seems like the CD that should have come BEFORE Futures. Don't get me wrong, this is NOT a bad CD by any means, like I said, Jimmy Eat World can do wrong. There is brilliance here like any other of their musical efforts: Big Casino, Electable, Chase This Light. No one mixes brilliant melodies and lyrics the way Jimmy Eat World does. Jim Adkins' vocals are always passionate, sincere, and sexy. Whereas Futures was a darker, more personal journey for the band, Chase This Light is much more hopeful and brighter. As a whole, this CD is lively, dance-worthy, and worthy of multiple listenings. I just hope that the perfection they touched upon with Futures won't dull the glow of their subsequent CD's. It's hard not to compare anything they do now with Futures. But I believe in Jim and the band and know that there are only good things to come from Jimmy Eat World. In summary, buy this CD, let it rock your socks off, and enjoy it to its fullest. Chase This Light wherever it goes.

Despite its October release this album has an upbeat and energized sound making it a perfect soundtrack to summer. 'Chase This Light' is a continuation of the music that fans of Jimmy Eat World have come to love. If one blended the two albums that preceded it, "Bleed American" and "Futures", the resulting product would be this album. Lyrically its not as dark as 'Futures', but the instrumentation and production are just as good. Its got both radio friendly songs (i.e. Big Casino, Let It Happen, Always Be) and deeper songs (i.e. Carry You, Gotta Be Somebody's Blues, Dizzy) just like "Bleed American". If you're looking for a new version of 'Clarity' then look elsewhere, but if you've been a fan all along then you will be satisfied and then some. Do your ears a favor and purchase this album.

I considered myself at best a casual fan of Jimmy Eat World prior to this release. I was familiar with their radio hits and that was it. I purchased this cd on a whim and thought it was pretty good at first. Then as I listened to it more often and in its entirety on a long drive I realized how truly great it is. There really is not too many bands out there like these guys. They manage to keep their music catchy yet technical, somber but uplifting. While every song is great I have to go with the closer "Dizzy" as the best. It has very quickly become one of the best songs I have ever heard and I am a music afficianado. It is impossible not to like or appreciate these guys. My next plan is to get their previous works, although I don't see it equalling this quality. I can't wait for thier next album!