Jimmy Eat World - 'Chase This Light' (Interscope) Released 15/10/07

Perhaps the most disturbing feature of Jimmy Eat World’s new album is that when asked what the album is that they’re most proud of, they cite this one. Not ‘Bleed American’ not ‘Clarity’, but this one. Having heard this record an infinite number of times in an attempt to like it as much as the other records, frankly it’s not happening; the record is just not up to the staunch lovability of the others pre mentioned.

‘Clarity’ you see was this beautifully crafted album with all these cutesy fluffy bunny moments on it. Moments that crept up on you like the darkness itself and affected you to your very core with the intensity and emotional depth of the lyrics and the sweet melancholy sounds sweeping from your speakers. From ‘Table for Glasses’ through to ‘Goodbye Sky Harbour’ there were such sweet sentimental moments tucked away which made you gladder than you have ever been to find a band that made your cold, English, heart thaw. Sure it started off in mild rock overtures, a sound that is all familiar to the seasoned Jimmy Eat World fan, but hidden within these rock edged moments where ‘12:23:95’, ‘Ten’, ‘Just Watch the Fireworks’ and ‘For Me This is Heaven’. Similarly on Bleed American, ‘Hear you Me’ rang in your ears long after the twinkling stars had left your eyes. In essence, what differentiated Jimmy Eat World from every other pop punk band on the planet were these tiny, sincere, touching moments hidden within their signature sound.

When you come to ‘Chase This Light’ from this perspective, the album is a total let down. We expect sincerity and emotional entanglement from the band. If we wanted an album full of rock anthems there are plenty of other bands out there to fulfil our appetite. No we came to Jimmy because those sedentary moments made them worth the listen. That’s not to say that their rock moments aren’t good moments, it’s just not all of what they’re about, or what they should just be about.

The title track is, ironically enough, the one place on the album where you can find this sort of moment exemplified. But other than that, prepare to be veritably disappointed. The album is full of those kinds of epic sounding tracks that sound like everything else; Butch Vig’s production does little to endear; when listening to the album from beginning to end it’s difficult to distinguish between tracks with similar chord formations and compositions. In essence, it’s not particularly original and certainly does not match up to their previous work. There are decent songs on the album (albeit short lived ones), ‘Always Be’ reconciles the original uplifting force of ‘The Authority Song’. ‘Electable (Give it Up)’ is a messier, louder sounding venture, stinking of some of their bigger hits (‘Lucky Denver Mint anyone?) but is enjoyable all the same.

Advice for Jimmy? Dump Vig for the next album and bring back those goose pimple moments. Advice for Jimmy Eat World fans? Keep persisting with the album; it may just grow on you like a well oiled rash; or, failing that, stick track nine (‘Chase This Light’) on repeat. You’ll remember why you loved them, and you won’t care that a cack handed approach stole the sun from your idols’ eyes. They’ve produced one good track that can hold you through the next dark four months before they tour (and hopefully play only songs from their previous albums). That’s got to count for something.