Review Summary: While it is ultimately forgettable, it is still a solid entry into Jimmy Eat World's discography.
When the band announced that their album is going to be about break ups from an adults perspective, I was quite skeptical. As a long time fan of Jimmy Eat World it begged the question: hasn't the band written many times before about break ups? Upon the first listen of Damage, I was pleasantly surprised to hear that it is a decent album. The way that the break ups are dealt with in the songs were actually quite mature. Jim Adkin's vocals are top notch as always and the rest of the band gives it their all. However, the album as a whole is ultimately forgettable and it didn't have the staying power that Clarity or Futures had. With that said, Damage still has it's heights of genius.
The first track "Appreciation" is the first real standout on the album because it recalls the very song that made them famous. It boasts punchy guitars and a wonderfully catchy chorus that really shows how they went back to their roots. The band preaches how we all should carry on after break ups and it's this element of wisdom that is conveyed throughout the rest of the album. One really gets a sense that the band is actually trying to educate us about how to deal with break ups maturely. It's followed by the equally catchy and poppy title track. Once again Jim's vocals are delivered extremely well. "Damage" also boasts fantastic acoustic guitar. The album is at it's best when the faster paced songs are playing.
When we come to the slower songs such as "Byebyelove" and the album closer "You Were Good," the album tends to lose plenty of its luster. Both of this tracks are extremely forgettable because they lack everything that makes the first three tracks so catchy. When an album is not catchy that is never a problem. However, when the entire album is about something as bland as break ups, it almost has to be catchy for it to be worth while. With that gripe aside, these songs are not necessarily bad and "You Were Good" contains a very well done muffled sound and beautiful acoustic guitar.
Another gripe with Damage is that most of the songs start to sound the same after a while. "Damage" and "I Will Steal You Back" literally has the same exact tempo and the acoustic guitar is played the same exact way with just different notes. The album as a whole just lacks the emotional power of Futures and the originality of Clarity. The band really played it safe with Damage. All gripes aside, the album is still another solid entry into their discography. It is incredibly entertaining and catchy for the most part. Jimmy Eat World always has a way of connecting with their listeners. They are capable of creating songs that are incredible masterpieces so one really gets the feeling that Jimmy Eat World played it safe this time around.
Standout Tracks:
-Appreciation
-Damage
-Lean
