I am going to be upfront about this; I was late to the Jimmy Eat World party. Not extremely late mind you, but late enough that I can’t claim Static Prevails or Clarity as the record that made me fall in love with this band. My first real exposure came with Bleed American in 2001. Since I was the music director of my college radio station (WVCW!) I was lucky enough to get a promo EP (featuring “A Praise Chorus”, “Bleed American” and a demo of “Your House”) . I was hooked immediately and while I waited for the full-length I made sure to scour file-sharing sites to get their back catalog.
After 9/11 the band chose to remove the title Bleed American and just referred to it as “Self-Titled”. We were at war and I guess they got caught up in the sensitivity of that time. Thankfully they restored the album to its proper title with the 2008 Deluxe Edition.
Do I think I am pretty cool because I have a signed copy of the original vinyl pressing framed in my home? Yes,I do.
Lucky Denver Mint – This is one of the first older songs that I stole on the internet. From the fantastic drum intro the chorus all the way to the drum outro I was hooked on this song from the first listen. It sums up what Jimmy does best and that is write Pop gems.
Work – I often claim that this is a perfect song. The best part if that Jim Adkins sings higher than guest vocalist Liz Phair.
Closer – From an EP that most people probably never heard comes on of Jimmy’s best songs. Clocking in at 5:50 it is about 2 minutes longer than all of the band’s major hits. It builds, it breathes and it has flanger. What more can you ask for?
BONUS TRACK
Last Christmas Since it is the holidays I figured I would leave you with the greatest Wham! cover ever.
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