Album Reviews

After having taken a year off from anything band-related, Jimmy Eat World decided to shake things up for their new album, “Integrity Blues”. So rather than recording in the band’s home studio, they stepped out of their comfort zone and headed out to LA to work with producer Justin Meldal-Johnsen (M83, Paramore, Tegan & Sara).

No worries though. Jimmy Eat World still sound very much like Jimmy Eat World. They didn’t start playing country, nor are there any guest appearances by rappers to be found on “Integrity Blues”. The changes are more subtle. “Pass The Baby” for example starts off like a somber, bared-boned electro-pop song until a heavy, almost Royal Blood-like riff kicks in towards the end. And the title track consists of nothing more than Jim Adkins’ vocals and a sober, restrained string arrangement.

Also different is how the band starts off the album with the mellow “You With Me”, the slightly more upbeat “Sure And Certain”, “It Matters” and “Pretty Grids”. After these four tracks I started wishing they would change gears, except for the fact that… well, these songs are really good. “Sure And Certain” comes with the kind of chorus that only Jimmy Eat World can write and “Pretty Grids” sounds like someone subtly remixed a Jimmy Eat World. It’s still them, but it comes with just the right amount of different to make it sound like something fresh. Not an easy feat for a band that has been around as long as Jimmy Eat World. More familiar sounding tunes can be found in the rocking “Get Right” and “You Are Free”, two vintage Jimmy Eat World tunes.

“Integrity Blues” shows how you don’t have to go to great lengths to reinvent yourselves. Change the right things and a couple of tweaks to a familiar recipe can already go a long way.

Track listing:

1. You with Me
2. Sure and Certain
3. It Matters
4. Pretty Grids
5. Pass the Baby
6. Get Right
7. You Are Free
8. The End Is Beautiful
9. Through
10. Integrity Blues
11. Pol Roger