Jimmy Eat World

I thought I'd take a moment and acknowledge just how fucking good Jimmy Eat World is. Their latest album, "Futures," has been playing nonstop in my head for the last few weeks, which is even more amazing considering I (for some reason) didn't have particularly high hopes for this record.

I think it was mostly due to the expectedly shitty review Pitchfork gave the album before it even came out. I'm not really sure why I compulsively read Pitchfork; on any given day I'll maybe be familiar with one of the five reviews, and usually if it's something I like they tear it a new asshole (although they surprisingly gave "American Idiot" a solid write-up. I mean really, how can you not love that album?).

I think the main reason I read Pitchfork is because it's the only site aside from Pop Matters I know of that does daily CD reviews. Honestly, you'd think on the entire Information Superhighway there'd be multiple web sites competing for my attention by telling me what CDs to buy every day. It'd be even better if there was music review web site dedicated to power-pop albums (there are two I know of that are decent - Whit's Brain, although this isn't a very professional looking site, and Power Pop Radio, which hasn't been updated since March), but I suppose I can't have everything. If anyone has any recommendations regarding quality music websites, I'd love to hear 'em. Also, fuck you, Pitchfork, you indie snobs. Just because something is actually melodic and catchy doesn't make it bad. I could record an album of me flossing my teeth with a xylophone and Pitchfork would give it a 10.

Additionally, Pitchfork's main beef with "Futures" is the lyrical content. Who the fuck cares? I know there are two completely different schools of thought here, with most people firmly entrenched in either the "lyrics are the most important part about music" camp and the "as long as it's catchy I don't care what the fuck they're saying" group. Hey, if a song speaks to me, great. When I was routinely getting my heart shattered in high school, there were a number of "why are girls so mean to me" songs by mxpx that definitely helped ease the pain. But honestly, if I want quality verse I'll buy a book of fucking poetry.

Anyway, after my record 30th digression, I will actually talk about this album.

Melodically, "Futures" is fucking great. Basically if you liked "Bleed American," you'll like this. If not, go fuck yourself. A lot of critics have been calling "Futures" darker and less catchy and immediate than its predecessor. I don't know about darker - there may not be a killer single like "The Middle," but up and down this is a great album. Listen to the first four songs and try to get them out of your head. Good luck.

I also want to heap some belated praise on Jimmy Eat World for "Bleed American." This was one of my favorite albums of 2001, but shockingly enough I never fully immersed myself in the end of the album (as I am wont to do). I recently rediscovered the absolutely beautiful "Cautioners" and "My Sundown." These are just hauntingly pretty ballads and I lately I can't get enough of 'em.