On the heels of their self-titled EP in late 1998, Jimmy Eat World released their breakthrough album Clarity in 1999 and took up the mantle of emo poster boys. Deftly produced by Mark Trombino and the band, Clarity mixes introspective balladry with power-chord punk rock, elements of chamber pop, and subtle doses of electronica to create a remarkably unique album. The only single to garner radio play, the hard-edged yet poppy "Lucky Denver Mint," was also featured on the soundtrack to the Drew Barrymore film Never Been Kissed, and while the album reached an audience that far surpassed Jimmy Eat World's previous efforts, it was by no means a commercial smash hit. The band's punk influences are evident on "Your New Aesthetic," which decries the commercialization of radio as effectively as any song since Elvis Costello's "Radio, Radio." The other songs are more personal and poignant. Using string ensembles, drum loops, chimes, piano, vibraphones, and tight vocal harmonies to create intricately layered songs, Clarity alternates between hypnotic and hard rock, often in the same song. The snarl of "Blister" and "Crush" are counterbalanced by the understated beauty of "Table for Glasses" and "On a Sunday." However, most of the tracks mix both ends of the emotional spectrum with dramatic effects. The sweeping "Goodbye Sky Harbor," which clocks in at an epic sixteen-minutes-and-eleven seconds, starts off as an up-tempo romp, but evolves into an expansive piece of dream pop that includes vocal loops, several layers of delicate electric guitars, bells, and a drum machine. Heartfelt, yearning vocals from Jim Adkins and Tom Linton tie the songs on Clarity together and set them apart from other post-grunge ock acts. Neither vocalist is afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve, but both pull it off without sounding wimpy or overly forlorn. They are also versatile enough to belt out the more aggressive tunes. Trombino also deserves praise for helping to brilliantly balance excellent songwriting and traditional ock elements with adventurous production and unique instrumentation.
Hey, this is my first attempt blogging on this new music sharing community from the studio inbetween vocal takes. I'm still getting my feet wet and am a little frightened of posting something that would be breaking the law, to be honest (concerning other people's music). For now, I'll just drop my bands name (The Jay Treaty) and our myspace (myspace.com/thejaytreaty) and ask you to check us o...
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Don't get me wrong, I love a good cause. But doesn't it seem kind of silly that big companies are giving so much public support to the AIDS Project RED campaign and completely ignoring bigger problems... like global warming? It's great that the big, powerful entreprenurial Powers that Be are doing something admirable, but I personally see climate problems as a much larger immediate problem. Aft...
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first of all, I must say that this post was inspired by lemontwist's featured one. I thought she was going somewhere completely different with it when I read the intro - don't get me wrong, I wasn't disappointed, but this particular topic is something that drives me up walls. yes, multiple walls. and I don't particularly like driving up them, because gravity is a bitch and I fall down and go sp...
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I've discovered the perfect album to play on a sunday morning. Clarity by Jimmy Eat World. I mean, I've already known about this album for like, forever, but playing it today just seemed to add just a new dimension to it. Its my favourite album by one of my favourite bands, but today *click!* it became the best soundtrack to the end of my weekend. Does anyone else get like that? Where a song or...
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Jimmy Eat World's next tour will not be in continued support of their last album 2007's Chasing Lions. Nor will it be in support of a new album. Jimmy Eat World are going ten years back, getting back on the road in support of their 1999 classic Clarity. While some 17 bands, from Fall Out Boy to Yellowcard, cited this album as a major influence, which basically means Jimmy Eat World inspired emo...
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Mog seemed to love me... everything was going fine, occasional posts, occasional mogmail lovin' from my peers, and then BAM!I add one comment about Jimmy Eat World and my popularity drops from smoking to below the radar in like... one day.Wierd....
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I've discovered the perfect album to play on a sunday morning. Clarity by Jimmy Eat World. I mean, I've already known about this album for like, forever, but playing it today just seemed to add just a new dimension to it. Its my favourite album by one of my favourite bands, but today *click!* it became the best soundtrack to the end of my weekend. Does anyone else get like that? Where a song or...
More >
first of all, I must say that this post was inspired by lemontwist's featured one. I thought she was going somewhere completely different with it when I read the intro - don't get me wrong, I wasn't disappointed, but this particular topic is something that drives me up walls. yes, multiple walls. and I don't particularly like driving up them, because gravity is a bitch and I fall down and go sp...
More >
Don't get me wrong, I love a good cause. But doesn't it seem kind of silly that big companies are giving so much public support to the AIDS Project RED campaign and completely ignoring bigger problems... like global warming? It's great that the big, powerful entreprenurial Powers that Be are doing something admirable, but I personally see climate problems as a much larger immediate problem. Aft...
More >
Jimmy Eat World are set to release their Clarity Live album on April 7th. Clarity Live is a digital-only release of the tour’s finale recorded March 7th at the Marquee Theater in Tempe, AZ. Available exclusively at jimmyeatworld.com, Clarity Live will include the following:live performance of...
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Jimmy Eat World Are set to embark on a ten-date tour to celebrate the 10th anniversary of their third studio album, 'Clarity '. The band is set to kick off the jaunt to celebrate the album, which was released in 1999, on February 23 of next year.Each date on the tour will see the band perform the album in its entirety. Jimmy Eat World Tour dates:New York, NY Terminal 5 (February 23) Washingt...
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U. S indie-pop stalwarts Jimmy Eat World will mark the decade anniversary of their much, much beloved album Clarity with a series of shows across the U. S where they will perform the entirety of the album live to fans.
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In an odd stroke of coincidence, Jimmy Eat World has announced a 10-date tour to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Clarity, an album to which I was just listening last week and discussing with Eric. The band will play the album in its entirety - can you imagine going out on the 16-minute Goodbye Sky Harbor? [...]
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Hey, this is my first attempt blogging on this new music sharing community from the studio inbetween vocal takes. I'm still getting my feet wet and am a little frightened of posting something that would be breaking the law, to be honest (concerning other people's music). For now, I'll just drop my bands name (The Jay Treaty) and our myspace (myspace.com/thejaytreaty) and ask you to check us o...
More >
| Title | Lyrics | Buy |
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| 1 Table for Glasses |
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| 2 Lucky Denver Mint |
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| 3 Your New Aesthetic |
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| 4 Believe in What You Want |
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| 5 A Sunday |
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| 6 Crush |
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| 7 12/23/95 |
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| 8 Ten |
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| 9 Just Watch the Fireworks |
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| 10 For Me This Is Heaven |
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| 11 Blister |
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| 12 Clarity |
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| 13 Goodbye Sky Harbor |
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Click to purchase…
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 "Clarity")
