Are You Listening?
Sing it back! Whoa oh oh oh oh! Jimmy Eat World, a hard edge
emo-punk rock band from Arizona, took to the Arlington Theater October 28th
in support of their ninth studio album Integrity
Blues. Their ninth since forming in the early ’90s. That’s a whole lot of
emo with a whole bunch of catchy phrases now stuck in your head.
Known for songs that express the pain that comes along with the
confusion of growing up, of falling in love, of losing love, and of losing
yourself, Jimmy Eat World’s newest effort is a bit harder with the rock and
subtler with the context. Throughout their years, they have created such
teenage anthems as “The Middle,” “Pain,” and “The Sweetness,” songs that were
raw yet poppy, getting the darkest emotions stuck in your head in the most
melodic way. The boys seemed to have grown up now and it shows in their new
music.
But how is it for an established band to have new music out, on a very
well-made alternative rock album, only to play live for a crowd that simply
want to hear the emo songs that got them through the darkest days of their
young lives? Songs that are like dear
friends in the cold, lonely night? I imagine you’ve learned to pick and choose
your set list wisely and don’t get too attached to the outcome.
Boldly starting the set off with a new song, Jimmy Eat World teased the
crowd to attention with “Get Right.”
Unlike most shows at the Arlington Theater, this one was General
Admission. This basically meant no seat
assignments and some dancing (if not too close to security). It was the first
time I had attended a GA show at this venue and it was perfect for this band.
Once at attention, Jimmy Eat World gave them what they wanted. “Bleed
America,” “Big Casino,” “If You Don’t, Don’t” got the crowd jumping and singing
along as if in church, leading into another new song, “You Are Free,” that
actually could be a choir hymn. By this
time the audience was tethered in, the selection of new and old songs was so
masterfully intertwined there was no escaping its musical web. Blocks of new
songs, including “It Matters” and “You with Me,” quickly followed with the
staples “A Praise Chorus,” “Let It Happen,” “23,” and “Work.” All the
wonderfully crafted catchy phrases sung with all the emotion of middle-school, filled
the Arlington as the crowd rejoiced in the music.
Jimmy Eat World went on to play twenty-four songs, including three
encores, ending with “The Sweetness.” Truthfully they could have played on
through the night. I was spinning free! Whoa oh oh oh oh oh! With a little sweet and simple numbing me…