Review Summary: The next masterpiece from Jimmy Eat World. Damage delivers the goods from the first guitar strum and doesn't let up throughout the album's runtime.
A band that has always had a special place in my heart, Jimmy Eat World steps up to the plate and delivers the goods. Their last album – though by no means a bad album – felt a little lackluster in comparison to the trifecta of perfection that was Clarity, Bleed American, and Futures.
To put it bluntly, Jimmy Eat World's latest album Damage is incredible. They have truly crafted another masterpiece with this album. After Invented's detour into obscure ways of writing music - Jim Adkins wrote all the lyrics based on stories he invented based on photographs - Damage finds Jim once again writing personal songs from the heart. And boy does it hit home! Jim has always had a way with words that seems like he is writing a song that puts into words everything a person has felt. Poignant heart-on-your-sleeve lyrics shine in every song. The result is the best collection of songs the band has written in the past 10 years.
The band comes out swinging with lead track “Appreciation.” The first bars of the song immediately grab the listener and scream “you’re in for something big.” I have been awaiting a studio version of this song ever since I first saw the sketchy YouTube video that hit the net a while before the album’s release. It didn’t disappoint.
The album is solid without any filler or skippable tracks. A couple of major highlights for me that really stand out are “Lean,” “How’d You Have Me,” and “No, Never.” “Lean” hits it big with its awesome lyrics and catchy chorus. It’s a very relatable song about needing someone to lean on in the midst of the chaos and mess of your own life. “How’d You Have Me” is an awesome rocker. Arguably the highlight of the album, the song is the most intense, bright, and energetic song the band has written since Bleed American’s standout track “A Praise Chorus.” “No, Never” hits in a similar way as their classic track “Kill.” You have to hear it understand.
The production is perfect. The album sounds absolutely amazing. The band recorded the entire album to tape so it sounds crisp, raw, and beautiful all at the same time. From the first raw strums of "Appreciation" all the way through the bite of “How’d You Have Me” this album sonically delivers track after track.
Reviewer Bias: 5 stars.
Objective review: 4.5 (But strongly leaning closer towards 5 rather than 4) It isn’t the absolute classic that Bleed American is, but it’s really damn close and is another excellent edition to their catalog.
Most importantly, after Chase This Light’s bright pop sound and Invented’s wandering, Damage shows a band in top form bursting into the next phase of their career with more steam than ever. Jimmy Eat World has crafted another masterpiece of an album. Damage is an extremely well executed album. From the lyrics, to the energy, to the more somber mellow moments, this album hits on all cylinders. For anyone who has ever been a fan of JEW, alternative music, emo, or rock and roll at all will enjoy this album. I know this one certainly won't be leaving my stereo anytime soon.
As Jim mused on Invented, “Heart is heart to find.” But it oozes through and is at the forefront of this album. That heart is what makes this album another Jimmy Eat World classic.
Highly Recommended.
Must Download:
“Appreciation”
“How’d You Have Me”
“No, Never”
“Lean”
