Reviewed by Jeff Manter
Editorial Editor

With people like Britney Spears, The Backstreet Boys, and N’Sync topping the pop charts, being able to hear a band like Jimmy Eat World is a breath of fresh air.

After being dropped by Big Wheel Recreation records in 1999, Jimmy Eat World has been creating music their way. Through continuous touring, they were able to gain enough money to record, mix, and produce their latest LP “Bleed American” independently. It was eventually picked up by Dreamworks records, who discovered Jimmy Eat World through their large sub-pop fan base.

Being completely uncorrupted by any label interference made “Bleed American” the band’s most adventurous work to date; leaving behind any musical boundaries and venturing way out of their punk music roots. Jimmy Eat World’s latest LP does not fall into any genre of music, using sounds that range from punk, blues-rock, and pop. While using lyrics that seem to always make a statement, Jimmy Eat World seems to have created a genre of their own.

The lead track “Bleed American” sharing the album title, is a sound explosion with many witticisms within the lyrics satirizing the state of America, and essentially our pop-culture. One prime example of this wit is the lines; “I’m not alone because the T.V.’s on. I’m not crazy cause I take the right pills every day and rest.” The band also recorded many songs that utilize melody to get across very emotional and dramatic lyrics, in such songs as “If You Don’t Don’t,” “Hear You Me,” and maybe their most intimate song “Your House.” Where lead singer Jim Adkins bellows some highly personal lines; “When I let you closer, I only want you closer, you rip my heart right out,” and “If you love me at all please don’t tell me now.”

Eventually the mood of the album turns into a darker more dreary tone, with songs like “Cautioners,” and the final track “My sundown.” The band uses their second to last track “The Authority Song” to brilliantly proclaim to the world that they are here on their own terms and refuse to let anything, be it a record company, record sales, or pop-culture, connive them into sacrificing their musical ideals.

Jimmy Eat World is a band who will amaze you with their pure talent and musical ability, rather then their stage props (a favorite of many mainstream musical acts). “Bleed American” is a CD that will open eyes and earn respect within the pop or the rock/punk musical world, and is a definite must buy.