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| Jimmy Eat WorldFutures2004 Interscope 
  Review by: Scott See others by this writer ![[staff]](/images/icons/staffsticker.gif){kind=icon}
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Published on October 19th 2004
Imagine for a second that you're Jimmy Eat World. You've already made the most ambitious, and arguably best album of your career, in 1999's Clarity. You've already made your most pop-oriented album of your career, in 2001's Bleed American. You're currently being held responsible for creating one of the most anticipated follow-ups to a success story that almost never was (seriously, do you think "The Middle" would have been such a smash had the band signed to an indie? Think again.). So with all this pressure put on you by fan and critic alike, what do you do? People who liked this also liked:           Please login or register to post comments. What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?
Thank you Jimmy Eat World for completing my life. This band is the epitomy of lyrical greatness. Almost every single song they compose is amazing in its own way. Polaris in my opinion is the highlight of this album. Futures has taken over my life. Thank you again Jimmy Eat World. Change the name of the site just to shut up the idiots who think the only kind of music is punk! Why do we need genres, do away with them all then we can all get along like a jew in germany! bad jimmy eat world. bad production, he is of the best bands of our time Jimmy hungry... Jimmy eat World! Mmmm... umm... now you're just yapping. Yes, this is what I like, some intelligent discussion on this site! I love it. In response to the interpretation of what I said to know the masters, well yes and no. Yes, know who really has it, who really plays well, who writes really well, and spend your time gettin' yr head around what it is that's effective, and then deconstruct it as best you can, to find out what is necessary or what is required to BE effective (think of this...rhythm, harmony, melody...how are these arranged and could it have been different, should it be different, or how did they come to think of doing it like that?). There are solid in stone works that express and exhibit the most effective ways of doing this and those are the works that one should spend their time with. These works are made by young and old, but NOT exclusively one, so with that said, my suggestion; finding the roots of a band is the way to put at least fifteen years of music into a few records, because if you think about it, the good works are a combination of what was done before mixed with the personalities of the musicians...you must learn to read before you can write, y'dig what I'm sayin'? Maynard James Keenan listens to Joni Mitchell, and although, superficially, the influence is not clear, dig and you'll see it. Listening to Joni and studying her was necessary for him to do what he does, for example. Muse listens to Radiohead, but what they do is completely based superficially on what Radiohead does. If you can't read between the lines here, write me an email and I'll go further, but think outside the box, come up with your own examples. Best one, actually, The Beatles...they began by learning Chuck Berry and Elvis before they made something new out of their foundation and their personalities. This takes time, very few bands on their first through fifth will actually have something, if anything. And don't limit yrself to the record store, there are great musicians playing every night somewhere, and even more great bands that Borders would never carry. Let's empower ourselves people, let's become better consumers and a more involved audience. If you like something, figure out why and how to express it without yrself as a part of the equation, that musician doesn't know you, so what about IT. Thanks fr reading folks, that is all. Latr. the furthest thing from punk? This gets a halfie just for the two songs that sound like music from Mega Man games. what the fuck is crappy, MTV radio friendly shit being reviewed on a site called "punknews.org!" Yeah, punknews.org, right! Not-To-Regret, This score is for Gray Davis. It should be no surprise, however, that this album is nowhere near as good as he says it is. Huh. Who'd have thought Gray Davis could ever be wrong? ***Official press release from former Ca. Gov. Gray Davis*** "Jimmy Eat World is on TRL, if you're happy being that target demographic, that consumer, well we won't cross pathes and I'm okay with that." "Jimmy Eat World is on TRL, if you're happy being that target demographic, that consumer, well we won't cross pathes and I'm okay with that." It's a freaking pop album... we don't need a complex pyschological analysis of why we consume or purchase certain CDs. Jesus christ if you're so educated why are you debating on an internet chatboard at a punknews website? i'll take a good "old" band over most of the stuff that comes out today. I just don't care if anyone else does. and you're not gonna change anyone's mind. JiveSide, Have you ever stood in front of something you knew nothing about and was moved by it? Yeah, case in point, with music, there doesn't have to be words, it doesn't have to be in a language you understand because rhythm, harmony, and melody can only be pieced together in a finite number of ways period. Do you know what Germany was like when Mozart wrote? Do you have to? Do you know what heroin is like when Lou Reed wrote with Velvet Underground? Do you have to? No, of course you don't, and if you do need, and I say NEED to have a context, then the work itself is not strong enough. Sure, we are all suckers for gratuitous knowledge, but it's just that, gratuitous. How many of you read music, have any music theory or have actually handled an instrument in a deliberate manner? With context in mind you wouldn't be able to enjoy, appreciate, or state anything about music without having these, and let me tell you, reading music is far more important than the political climate or the drug abuse that the music was made during. It's like psychology, there are lots of reasons why someone feels a certain way, but who cares, they feel that way, but how much and how truly is that emotion? Do you see what I'm getting at? And if you are okay with wasting time and money wherever it may be wasted, go ahead, but know that the best of the best never do and never did. I am not claiming, nor do I claim to be such and such, but I do see the picture in a bigger frame than most and I'm just trying to give you something to challenge you and make you more than your everyday consumer. Jimmy Eat World is on TRL, if you're happy being that target demographic, that consumer, well we won't cross pathes and I'm okay with that. But if you wish to not be there, here are some things to tackle that will aid in giving you more control for yrself which is what it's all about. Thanks fr reading. That is all, email me with anything further. Ironic that your user name is "some1", what, was "any1" already taken? Who gives a fuck? Like I said, out of 50, 2 will be worth your time. So, I now have 49 to go before I find 2 that are worthwhile. Thanks for helping in the best way you can, you're a great statistic for the cause. Who gives a fuck? The few who care about themselves, their education, their entertainment, basically the few worthwhile. who gives a fuck? no one is gonna listen to you. Jiveside: I will gladly go further, and I'm glad you mentioned that it most people seek things that temporarily satisfy and isn't that what most people want. Yes it is, and because most people are just looking to wet their respective whistles rather than hydrate their body is why most people are the same consumer (need proof? just look at our economy, we are without a doubt a homogenous consumer culture, admit it or not). The very fact that people get excited over something being new and purchasing it because of that fact means that they purchased it over it being "good". Now, you asked what is something that is good for you? There are a lot of options out there, but the way to spot something good for you is anything that stands outside of context; comparisons are irrelevant, the politics of its time are irrelevant, it should be something that is impressive as it is, if it's music you put it on, sit in front of it and let it do what it does without any influence outside of it. Now, with my comments concerning time and money, that's really all we have to call our own, to completely manipulate and since time will pass and money will be spent, man, take that seriously. You're going to spend 15 bucks on the new Jimmy Eat World? Spend that 15 bucks on London Calling, Houses of the Holy, Raw Power, Illmatic, Dark Side of the Moon, Remain in Light, In the Jungle Groove etc. etc. You like a band a whole lot? Instead of looking for other, "newer" bands kinda like that band, find out what music made those musicians get together in the first place. What have they built their vocabulary on? Any musician who is inspired by The Clash or James Brown will tell you that they are nothing compared to them, and even if you think, and everybody else thinks, that the musician in question is the greatest, well they were inspired by something greater, just as James Brown and Joe Strummer were inspired by something greater, and so on. Check the influences, not the peers, for out of a group of 50, maybe 2 will be worth your time...apply this to everything, you'll be more satisfied than you can imagine. Rather than collect all kinds of crap that may be fun for a week or a month, find those things, and they are out there, that will be more than just fun for your entire life. If a band you like has no influence past fifteen years and there isn't at least one definitive influence, move on, all they want is your money because they are not as invested as they should be. Music is about manipulating sound; the skill, performance, content, these are the things that give it depth and there is certainly a lot of music out there that is all meat, so go seek it and sink your teeth into it for the remainder of your life. Don't seek quick little sugar fixes, it's an expensive and empty pursuit. Email me personally if you'd like me to go even further because I can and I will. Thanks folks, this site is great and it can be even better, and as consumers, we ain't bad, but we can be far more empowered. Why not strive for more, demand more, and find ground that you firmly stand on. Thanks fr reading, that is all. I love jerking off to this CD. doesn't this cd sound like the shit chevelle would put out, or hoobastank, but only more emo-ish? Am I alone on this? JiveSide, Run-of-the-mill indie pop. Jimmy Eat World is a crappy band, but Modest Mouse has been making music long before their recent hit. Their old stuff is at least five times better than what is out now. Franz Ferdinand were out on an indie before Epic even showed interest. Everyone likes pop, just sometimes its better than usual. I would aggree though that Green Day is a shitty band. "How long is the new Strung Out album?" Man, this shit has guilt in its veins, the guilt of top 40, no way can you, in good conscience, give this record a review as glowing as this one. This is so safe, so completely sterile, and it will sell which is why it's been released into the world in the first place. For the rock audience who look down on Korn, Disturbed, and all the other "heavy" hit makers, the industry says, here's some Modest Mouse, some Franz Ferdinand, some Jimmy Eat World, same consumers, different personalities. Protect your time, money, and intelligence folks, this is the same crap, different name, and if you respect yourself, especially your time and money, don't even bother with products that have been tailored to our basic demands and taste. Everyone will forget about this record and it will collect dust on every shelf it lays on in less than a year. I only open my mouth and pick on Jimmy Eat World because they happen to be the most recent insult to your wallet, Green Day was the most previous, and there will be a lot to come before we die, so don't go with the flow and surrender to the system; if we are to be consumers, why not be a smart one, consume something that's good for you, not something that will temporarily satisfy, y'dig? That is all. score is for the over producing. "becuase boston is so rural and all....nice one you bewildered idiot" the more i hear this the more i like it. tracks 8 and 9 aren't that great but the rest of it is golden, especially tracks 1,3,4,6,7,10 Imagine for a second that you're Scott. You've already blown your load over Jimmy Eat World and asked to be cuddled. And you've also written a wacky intro to a review for their new album. "someone from arizona ruined my life" How long is the new Strung Out album? was it god? someone from arizona ruined my life This album is great. A must if you enjoyed clarity! "This review kind of sucked." Edit: Decide for yourself. Does anyone notice a slight similarity in cover art between this and Midtown's Forget What You Know? This review kind of sucked. Someone asked, so... I got the new gimme gimmes and it's great. Obviously not an album you buy to hear something ground breaking. You buy "Ruin Johnny's Bar Mitzvah" for a joke-filled cover album. It contains 2 hidden tracks with special suprises. I recommend the new gimme gimmes it's a live album filled with some funny commentary between songs and some pretty decent covers (ie: Heart of Glass). best fucking cd i have heard in years. im not usually pleased by releases from bands these days, but seriously on first play of this cd on a long drive from vegas to tucson.. i almost nutted my pants.. fantastic cd and one that will stay in my player for years to come. becuase boston is so rural and all....nice one you bewildered idiot The red sox are still dirty hicks who only won because the yanks collapsed. you're not the boss of me! Technically you are. Self-plagarism does exist, but who cares. Haven't heard this album yet, hope it's good. Anyone bought the new Gimme Gimmes cd? damn. i was hoping that was a joke kieth. by your def. almost any serious album can be a bands "pinkerton" which means your tripping balls. besides jew already wrote serious albums like clarity. so your point fails on that level too. ""pinkerton" was a raw, slightly disturbing, emotionally disruptive record. "futures" is a crisp, clean, well-polished power pop album. whats the similiarity exactly?" jimmy eat world never stop amazing me. One of their best albums by far. "scott, why did you take the beginning of your AP review of this and use it again?" This CD sucks my left nutsack. "pinkerton" was a raw, slightly disturbing, emotionally disruptive record. "futures" is a crisp, clean, well-polished power pop album. whats the similiarity exactly? i cant see one way in which this is a "pinkerton" album, how old were you when pinkerton came out? or are you someone who listened to it years later when it was already hyped up. i dont mean to be like "oh youre young" but rather if you just heard about it years later like most...eh...fuck...its just easier to call you an idiot. "Definately one of, if not the best albums released in '04. I picked this up the day it came out and I love it. its an ok album, not breath taking, or blinkable...cough sox won YES fuck the yankees Didn't they change their last cd to self titled after 9/11? Never really got into JEW. Their last cd was decent. This one just kinda bores me. Too slow for my taste. The World You Love is a great song though. Awesome record, better than the previous "they only seem to appreciate the most off the wall weird art fag shit. I'd die the day a straight up pop/rock/punk band got any respect from them." Where's the Hot Snakes review? Despite being a college student and a hopeful major in English, I could not understand the Pitchfork review. I'm being sarcastic here for all those who will enevitably call me a retard but seriously, the review is pretty funny for its lack of cohesion and obvious "use of big words for the sake of using big words." Johnny Damon sacrificed himself in the first 6 games so he could rise again in the 7th to save the game of baseball. sox win sox win sox win sox win "As for rock music, they only seem to appreciate the most off the wall weird art fag shit. I'd die the day a straight up pop/rock/punk band got any respect from them." Pitchfork - whether you agree with them and their OPINIONS doesn't matter. They're OPINIONS. Individual writers, just like on this site, expressing their...well, by now I hope you know. Either way, their reviews are far better than anything found here. Wait a minute...deluxe edition? Definately one of, if not the best albums released in '04. I picked this up the day it came out and I love it. I want to hear a few songs from the new cd before I pick it up. Any links anywhere to hear some of it? Their website didn't help a whole lot. "they only seem to appreciate the most off the wall weird art fag shit" because the White Stripes suck ass. Since pop alt-rock is being reviewed here. How come everyone overlooks one of the best bands of that genre: Local H. They're a two man band; better than The White Stripes and The Black Keys combined. Great record, great review. Blows Bleed American away as far as I'm concerned, but I don't think anything could ever be as good as Clarity or better. That album practically got me through college by itself. I'm just pissed off I missed them when they came through Lansing recently. yea fuckface, I've visited pitchfork one or two times, thats how I know they do good hip hop reviews right? Did you even read my comment? "Pitchfork is a bunch of pretentious art rock assholes who jizz over the white stripes and the strokes" I never understood why everyone makes a big stink about these guys. They're not horrible or anything, but then again they're not the saviours of rock that these zealots make them out to be. But to each his/her own. Ah, man. So fucking good. One of the best of the year for sure, and in my opinon, JEW's best work. I absolutely love this. JEW has been a sissy pop indulgence of mine for years now, but this record just doesn't fucking cut it. It used to be that their songwriting was catchy enough to overpower the sissiness and make you love it anyways, but this crap is all pop and no hook... if that makes any sense. That Pitchfork review is an abomination - but to be fair, they've rubbished all of JEW's past work so you can't expect them to stop now. Good to see that the reviewer did his research though... The special edition with the demo versions is great. Huge difference in some of the songs. I think it's funny that the home demo versions of these songs are produced better than full lengths by many of the bands I listen to. hey mercedes is on vagrant dude. tikki takki for changing their album's name in 2001 if anyone is looking for a second opinion, one drastically different from this one, try pitchfork.com. here's a taste: "side note. i lvoe the album, but is it just me or is the cover art screaming vagrant records? " This album is great, it can't top Clarity, but, honestly, it's a great record. most well rounded album!?!? if you mean half good songs, half total shit songs, then youre absolutely right. this record's got a good, strong first half, but starting with "pain" it really drops off. the "heavy" songs are just lame and the lyrics on "drugs or me" are fucking embarrassing to even listen to. "23" is a decent closer, but besides that the whole second half of this record is boring and pretty much just bad. the good songs are REALLY good, especially "kill", but they dont save the album as a whole side note. i lvoe the album, but is it just me or is the cover art screaming vagrant records? Takes everything I like from Clarity and Bleed American and cuts all the shit I didnt like. I love it. I listened to this again this morning: and I'm sorry but I just don't understand how tracks 1-3, 7, and 11 made it on to this album. this album is fantastic...so much better than "bleed american" scott did the same thing to this review as the band did to this cd. Night Drive is a great song. In my opinion, one of the best that they have ever recorded. this album is fucking amazing "scott, why did you take the beginning of your AP review of this and use it again?" This album is the Goo Goo Dolls' "A Boy Name Goo," just not as good. "Tsunami Bomb gets a 9. "Well, it's not like I was plagiarizing or anything. solid review 9/10 for having the initals in there name spell JEW where's the duff review? Where's the Strung Out review Aubin? A little girl goes to the barber shop with her father. She stand next to the barber chair while her dad gets his hair cut, eating a snack cake. The barber says to her, "Sweetheart, you're gonna get hair on your Twinkie." She says, "Yes, I know, and I'm gonna get boobs too." Great review Scott- very thorough too! where's the ted leo review scott? The Tom Waits album should be at the top of everyone's list. Where is the Q and Not U review? Tsunami Bomb gets a 9. So working at AP has forced you to use parentheses instead of brackets, eh, Scott? ;) Fact:this record is good This cd is good. should make my top 10 this year, but i don't think it's as great as some of the commentators have claimed. it's definitely not going to be my top pick of the year as there's no way this is better than [daryl]'s Ohio. I'm so glad this album doesn't suck. After I heard they fired trombino and then delayed the album I was like, "damn, they need to pull a rabbit out of their ass". And they did. This album rocks. I'm surprised AP lets you use anything you write for them elsewhere. "Well, it's not like I was plagiarizing or anything. " "scott, why did you take the beginning of your AP review of this and use it again?" best album so far this year. scott, why did you take the beginning of your AP review of this and use it again? not that i'm saying it's a bad thing, i just think it's kind of funny. "work" is an amazing song If you stop comparing this to Clarity, you'll realize that it's actually better. Does that make any sense? Either way, good stuff. I didn't think this was getting a review today, so I proclaimed my disappointment under the Riddlin' Kids review. Now that it has one, I'd just like to add that Scott's review is WAY too favorable. At least a third of this album should have never seen the light of day. I hate to say it, by JEW seems to have jumped the shark. Most of my friends said this was boring. I dunno, I really liked this album when I got it and it's probably going to be my favorite release of the year. Score is for kill, ah fuck it, the album. god i hated that song "Jen". glad they took it out. i wish they took out Kill also. well, the beginning atleast. I picked up the deluxe version for free after selling 5 cd's (worth a total of $6) to Media Play. Not as good as Clarity, far better than Bleed American and Static Prevails. The parts I didn't like about this CD (some lyrics and "heavy" guitar parts) and starting to grow on me. And is 23 an Illuminati reference? This artwork sucks. They've always had shitty artwork. |
