Bleed American (CD - 2001)

Jimmy Eat World: Jim Adkins (vocals, guitar, piano, organ, percussion, bells); Tom Linton (guitar, organ, background vocals); Rick Burch (bass); Zach Lind (drums, percussion).

Additional personnel: Mark Trombino (percussion, programming); Davey VonBohlen, Rachel Haden, Ariel Rechtshaid (background vocals).

Recorded at Cherokee, Los Angeles, California and Harddrive, North Hollywood, California.

In the years leading up to 2001's self-titled release, Jimmy Eat World racked up a sizable fan base through many of the normal routes for indie-rock bands (constant touring, split singles with popular scene bands, a few full-lengths and EPs on both indie and major labels). However, what propels Jimmy Eat World to another level is their uncanny knack for appealing to a wide audience by cobbling together the jagged guitar sincerity of bands like Fugazi and Jawbox with the hooks bands like Green Day and Blink-182 rode to multi-platinum success, tempering these creations with touches of power-pop and metal.

The band immediately captures attention on JIMMY EAT WORLD's opening track (and one-time title track), "Bleed American," a scathing yet engaging fiery anthem made for radio (not to mention for uncontrollable singing along); better singles are few and far between. The band displays a punk sound for a few powerful songs before showing their skill at power balladry on the remarkably vulnerable "Your House." The true standout comes on "The Authority Song," not a John Mellencamp cover, but a power-pop masterstroke right out of the songbook of Big Star or the Flamin' Groovies. minimize