Customer Reviews

Invented

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(14)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I wasn't planning on writing a review for this album but after seeing all of these 5 star reviews, I had to chime in. This is not a 5 star album. In general people who write reviews are one of two types: people who hate whatever it is they are reviewing and can't wait to tell everyone how much they hate it and others who are huge super subjective followers of a band who would basically praise anything their favorite band puts out regardless of how good or bad it is.

I would like to preface my review by saying that I happen to be a big Jimmy Eat World fan and Bleed American is one of my favorite albums of all time but I don't let my love for their past releases cloud my judgment on this or any future releases. Jimmy Eat World has a formula when they make an album and they stick to that here as they do in all of their releases. They usually try to mix up the album with some harder songs and some slower songs and then close with a long slow ballad. The problem with invented is that the hard songs aren't as rocking, the soft songs aren't as captivating, and the ballad is basically a sub-par version of 23. I mention all of this because when reviewing an album, knowing what the band has done in the past and is capable of, definitely will be a basis and measuring stick for the new album. After knowing how totally amazing Bleed American is, I honestly don't see how anyone could give this album 5 stars. Is it as good as Bleed American or even Futures? No way. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but I really don't see any way this album is as good as their previous works.

Forgetting for a moment my gripes with this album being over rated....its really not a bad record, it's just not anything we haven't heard before. I like alot of the songs here, but most songs on the album have songs on previous Jimmy Eat World albums which sound very similar but are better. I must admit that Invented does grow on you but never to the point where I would say its a great effort; and if you have to force yourself to like something, then you probably don't really like it to begin with.

I don't intend to cause a dispute or anger anyone who really loves this album but in my opinion, it just doesn't come close to Bleed American and should be rated as such. It has its moments and is not by any means a bad album, but nothing stands out or makes it special. I'm still a big Jimmy Eat World fan but that doesn't mean I have to love everything they make. I still look forward to whatever they do in the Futures.

It is hard not to consider the boys - well, men - of Jimmy Eat World the Grand Poobahs of the emo world. It was upon their 90s work that emo entered the mainstream stratosphere and propelled them, as well as many other bands that followed, to commercial success and critical respect.

The genre is decidedly youth-aimed, and these guys are very much in their 30s by now, despite their youthful appearance, and that fact of life informs the thematic maturity that colors much of "Invented," standing in contrast to their previous releases.

Their signature sound - heady, large, angst-ridden, screechy, over-the-top, soul-searching, highly caffeinated - remains intact, making "Invented" a mix of sonic continuation and lyrical growth.

The tracks swell and surge with raw intensity, melding catharsis with well-chiseled songcraft. "Heart is Hard to Find" is an ideal example with its detailed, even dizzying soundscapes and Jim Adkins' unrestrained, passionate vocal delivery. The surging "My Best Theory" alone sears with enough power to ward off the band's younger competition from usurping their place on the shelf. The same goes for the repressed, ready-to-boil-over "Higher Devotion."

"Movielike" is radio-friendly all over - ear candy at its most absolute. It is catchy, raw and endlessly listenable.

"Cut" is one of the best wallowing ballads the band has crafted. Jim Adkins wraps his voice around each word with dramatic luster. It is grandiose and thoroughly compelling.

"Action Needs an Audience" and "Coffee and Cigarettes" are less impressive than other tracks yet fly by with awesome, hard guitars and interesting, nuanced arrangements, rubbing against the surrounding material with flair.

The sprawling, ponderous title track twists and jerks in many directions amid its seven-plus minutes of passionate (but not treacly) declarations of true, though, imperfect love. It is weighed down a bit by heavy-handed production, but "Mixtape" provides a stirring, extremely strong wrap-up for the album with its compelling hook swirling over it like slowly receding ocean waves - "you don't get to walk away, walk away now, it's too late you can't walk away, walk away now."

"Invented" shows Jimmy Eat World in rare form - old enough to have increased grit and substance, but young enough to still pack the heat and energy of their early days.

It's been three year's since Mesa, Arizona rockers Jimmy Eat World released their last album "Chase This Light," and their latest offering showcases another step in the maturation process of this tight knit quartet. With Mark Trombino returning to produce the album, the sound is slick and the production value is very similar to the band's breakthrough album "Bleed American." The album plays out as such:

1. Heart Is Hard To Find- 8/10

Perhaps the most different sounding song Jimmy Eat World has started an album off with in the last decade. When compared to past openers "Bleed American," "Futures" and "Big Casino," one will immediately notice this song isn't all that radio friendly, but in all honesty, it doesn't need to be. Jimmy Eat World bucks their former trend by crafting a heartfelt, sincere midtempo number that opens the album in a strong fashion.

2. My Best Theory- 8/10

The best description I can give of this song is if you mixed Chase This Light's "Here It Goes" with Futures'"Pain," the result would be this searing rock track. Unique in many ways, this song is already rocketing up the alternative radio charts, proving that Jimmy Eat World still has plenty of mainstream shelf life left.

3. Evidence- 7/10

This midtempo number is solid, but repetitive. When it gets close to going from a good track to a great track, it seems to fall just flat, but multiple listens may prove otherwise with this 80's-like track.

4. Higher Devotion- 6/10

The verses are fine, the chorus that drowns Jim Adkins' vocals out is not. Cut this song into parts and its not that bad, but overall, this digitally infused midtempo track is the weakest on the album.

5. Movielike- 9/10

This midtempo gem has everything listeners of Jimmy Eat World have come to love about the band. Sincere lyrics, great backing vocals, retro guitar riffs resonating in the background, and an extremely catchy hook. If Hot AC radio formats pick up this track for airplay, it could become a major hit. Either way, expect this to end up on some movie soundtrack in the near term.

6. Coffee & Cigarettes- 8/10

It took many listens to warm up to this song, as once again, Jim Adkins' vocals are barely audible throughout the majority of this song as he is drowned out by background vocals. The difference for this song though is that it is extremely catchy and builds up to a powerful chorus.

7. Stop- 7/10

Available previously in a very similar form on import releases of Chase This Light, this reviewer would have preferred an entirely new song than this already heard track. It's not that this midtempo number isn't good, it's just that the space taken up for this track could have been better utilized.

8. Littlething- 10/10

Similar to Movielike, this song has it all. The emotion pours through Jim Adkins' vocals moreso on this track than perhaps any other on the album. An orchestra in the background helps build the epic feel of this amazingly done tune that blends 80's pop with modern rock.

9. Cut- 10/10

The song starts of with a slow beat and builds to a beautifully done chorus. Once again, haunting backing vocals present throughout accompanied by searing guitar riffs that sneak in and out ever so gracefully. Add in some amazing lyrics and an emotional delivery, and what you have is a classic Jimmy Eat World ballad.

10. Action Needs An Audience- 8/10

It's refreshing to see guitarist and former original lead vocalist Tom Linton handle the lead vocals on this quick and catchy rock tune. While not as memorable as his last turn on lead vocals ("Blister" from the Clarity album), this track fits nicely with the rest of the album and helps balance out a lot of midtempo numbers that populate the latter half of the album.

11. Invented- 8/10

This song has the potential to really grow on someone after multiple listens. A slow building ballad that takes a long time to get to get to the big finish, it can almost be split into two parts. A haunting first half sprinkled with nicely done background vocals paired with an epic climax make this a memorable track.

12. Mixtape- 10/10

No one knows how to close out an album like Jimmy Eat World. With past gems like "23," "Dizzy," "My Sundown," and "Goodbye Sky Harbor" to live up to, their latest album closer fits right in with these other classics and holds its own as an entirely unique and original closer. A slow beginning leads into a simple, yet emotionally powerful guitar solo that ends with an all across the board epic closing.

Bands like Jimmy Eat World are few and far between in today's ever changing music scene. The band has had every chance over the years to sell-out for radio airplay on the pop formats, and they should be applauded for refusing to do so. Jimmy Eat World has showcased the ability to keep evolving with the times in ways many bands are unable to, and the release of "Invented" proves once again that this band deserves to be known for much more than its emo trailblazer tag.

At first listen, I did not like this album, at all. I liked the first single "My Best Theory," and that was it. By the second or third listen, some other tracks started to stick out for me - mainly "Evidence" and "Invented." By the fourth of fifth listen, I was starting to get into all the tracks, and enjoying the nostalgic "Coffee and Cigarettes" and the somewhat angst filled "Action Needs an Audience."

I have now owned the album for about 3 weeks, and I absolutely LOVE the whole thing. For those who posted negative reviews, or ones saying "this is not a 5 star album," I have to state that, in my humble opinion, this is absolutely a 5 star album. The lyrics and singing are very emotionally charged and gripping, the instrumental portions perfectly tailored for both tone and tempo, and the overall feel of the album is just genuine and heartfelt. I think the album's title track, "Invented," is simply one of the best songs ever recorded by anyone. Subtly moving, rhythmically hypnotic, and the crashing crescendo at the end - it's just like the perfect cherry on top.

I think when it comes to music, everyone has there own opinions, obviously. And with a band that makes as diverse songs as JEW does, there are always sure to be some people who wanted faster/slower/harder/softer/angrier/happier/sadder songs. But all in all, for me, it is how much I like the album after listening to it 8 or 9 times - whether it gets better, worse, or just stays the same. This album keeps getting better and better, and therefore, I give it 5 stars, thumbs up, and all that good stuff.

Being a fan of these guys is a two-edged sword. You almost always know what you're going to get before you buy the album. On the upside, that means at least a few songs are going to be tunes you want to put on the IPOD and listen to for years. A few others you'll lovingly "tut-tut" and brush aside. A couple you'll sit on the fence about for awhile before figuring out how you feel about them. Invented delivers exactly that mix. Under-achieving tunes start and finish the cd with "Heart is hard to find" and "Mixtape". "My Best Theory" and "Evidence" are great, vintage JEW and "Action Needs and Audience" and "Invented" deserve honorable mention. The rest is fence material or outright forgettable. Here's my advice: Buy this album album cheap like I did by pre-ordering with Amazon and getting it for $7.99 and you'll find it worth the money for the more memorable tunes. Pay full price and I think you'll be kicking yourself. Unless you're Donald Trump maybe and you don't care that there's nothing new invented here and not much classic JEW revisted either.

I love this band, and have been eagerly awaiting new material from them for a long time. For me, Jimmy Eat World grew and got better with every album, culminating in my favorite album by them: Futures. After Futures came the incredible Stay On My Side Tonight EP. This left me with very lofty expectations for the group's next effort. Unfortunately, Chase This Light did not come anywhere near those expectations. It did have some great songs on it, but as an album, it was a sub-par effort. I must admit, I was a little worried about what to expect with a new JEW album.

That worrisome suspense was quickly turned into heightened anticipation with the release of the first single off the new record: "My Best Theory." They should've called this song "My Best Song Since 2005," because it was. I once again had high expectations for a Jimmy Eat World album. Only this time, they not only met those lofty expectations, but far exceeded them!

Invented is the follow-up to Futures that I was looking for. It combines all of the best elements from previous works (having an overall sound that fits somewhere in between Futures and Clarity) while still allowing growth from the band. Whatever "it" was that they misplaced on Chase This Light, they've recaptured "it" in Invented.

Every song on this album is great and worth noting, but I'll mention a few highlights... "Heart Is Hard To Find" is a mid-tempo acoustic song. It's a little different for a Jimmy Eat World song and an interesting choice to open the album with. At first, I didn't think the song was all that great, but in context with the rest of the album, I now love it and think it is the perfect opener. "My Best Theory," the first single, is an up-beat rocker. This shows the band's harder side at its best. The chorus demands to be shouted along with at the top of your lungs while driving down the interstate! "Higher Devotion" is also a little of a different sound for the band but one of the best songs on the album in my opinion. I challenge anyone to sit still while listening to it. "Cut" is one of the most beautiful and well-written ballads the band has ever recorded. "Action Needs An Audience" features Tom Linton on vocals and, together with the title track "Invented," seems very influenced by the recent Clarity tour. "Mixtape" ends the album perfectly with a repeated sing-along chorus that will be stuck in your head for hours.

Since the day this album was released to stores, it has been in my car when I've been in my car, and it has been in my home stereo when I've been at home. The album continues to get better with each listen. I highly recommend any Jimmy Eat World fan, or any fan of good music for that matter, to give this album a listen.

For the longest time, the only thing I associated Jimmy Eat World with was their radio singles "The Middle" and "Sweetness". I had no awareness of their depth and diversity, no clue they had a style of music that was so tailor-made for my tastes I could never have dreamt it. "Table For Glasses", "Just Watch The Fireworks", "Hear You Me", "My Sundown", "23" and on and on and on.

Even though I'm aware that music is subjective, it still saddens me to read about faithful followers who are having difficulty making it through Invented, even though I admit my first listen didn't have me doing cartwheels either. But I don't think it's supposed to; that's not the kind of album this is. It's not an uplifting hard rock album, not a pop rock album with the exception of a few songs ("My Best Theory", "Movielike" and possibly "Coffee and Cigarettes"), and not necessarily a pop punk/emo album either. I DO think it's a much better than average alternative rock record with characteristics that you'd be hard pressed to find in this day and age. I can't think of one other band that even comes close to giving us what they have, and that includes Invented. And I just think it takes a while to get it.

It still has their signature melodies and chord progressions, mesmerizing, repetitive rhythmic elements (while at the same time retaining a loose, natural-sounding human feel), passionate vocal delivery and lyrics that seem to be missing important pieces of information to figure out what the songs really mean.

But I can sense that Jim and the boys know exactly what these songs are all about, and feeling that connection makes listening to this album that much more of a rewarding experience.

Although I like every song, there are several that stand out as particularly appealing, including the opener "Heart Is Hard To Find", an all-acoustic mid-tempo gem with a gorgeous string arrangement. "Evidence" is a guitar lover's dream both sonically and performance wise. With the exception of the upbeat rocker "Action Needs An Audience", which I would have preferred to have been placed towards the beginning, the bottom of the lineup packs a powerful, emotional punch. Starting with "Stop", the tempos slow down as the drama, dynamics and intimacy go up. "Littlething" has a beautifully melodic chorus, "Cut" fittingly cuts deep for me with cavernous tom hits propelling this intense tune to another level, and "Invented" and "Mixtape" combine to form 16 and a half minutes best described as a near-spiritual experience to close this very cohesive album.

If you've never gotten into J.E.W.'s slower stuff, or were desiring a peppier record, than I can understand being a little disappointed with Invented. But if you've enjoyed the majority of their past material, you should find lots to like here. Invented isn't perfect, and perhaps that's partly why this alternative rock record is so good.

First, I'll say I enjoyed Chase this Light, but it felt more poppy than what I'd come to expect from Jimmy Eat World. I wasn't sure if it was a sign of a new direction, but with Invented I feel they've taken me on a tour spanning Clarity to Futures. These songs would feel at home on any of those discs, while at the same time containing some new sounds as well.

I believe, like their earlier albums, Invented demands multiple plays to appreciate fully. There are a handful of tracks that will no doubt be immediately catchy and get radio play, but most of the others are deeper and take a few listens.

Overall, it's a wholly enjoyable album from a band that always delivers. If you enjoyed earlier Jimmy Eat World, you'll feel right at home with this.

Okay, when I first put the cd in the cd player...and listented to the first min. of the first song, I was a little baffled, I instantly thought the wrong CD came in the case, it sounded like a different band (it had a slight country feel to it but by saying that by no means do I mean it is country). I kept listening and then a lightbulb went off...itreally is Jimmy Eat World....just different: slightly more grown up. The more I listened the more I became intranced by the sheer and beautiful new sound. The more the album went on the more I heard old Jimmy Eat World mixed with this new sound but still keeping what makes them great in there somewhere. GREAT jobs guys....WAY TO KEEP US GUESSING and make keep us intrested. I think this new album is smart and the lyrics are beautiful as all heck. This is for sure going to be in my car's cd player for a very long time.

Jimmy Eat World did it again. They made another outstanding, heartfelt and emotionally mixed album. From ballad to more upbeat, harder edged songs Invented is another solid album. No songs are weak or disappointing, though the album seems to lack the odd songs from previous albums (Drugs or Me from Future, Gotta Be Somebody's Blues, From Chase This Light). It seems that J.E.W. keeps growing up, and as Jim Adkins said in an interview, away from their major hardships. A good sign all around.