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Jimmy Eat World Clarity Release Date: 1999 02 23 Running Time: 64:02 Label: Capitol 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 rock 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 rock elements with adventurous production and unique instrumentation. Mark Vanderhoff, All Music Guide Tracks: Title Composer Time 1 Table for Glasses Jimmy Eat World 4:21 2 Lucky Denver Mint Jimmy Eat World 3:49 3 Your New Aesthetic Jimmy Eat World 2:40 4 Believe in What You Want Jimmy Eat World 3:08 5 Sunday Jimmy Eat World 4:32 6 Crush Jimmy Eat World 3:11 7 12/23/95 Jimmy Eat World 3:44 8 Ten Jimmy Eat World 3:48 9 Just Watch the Fireworks Jimmy Eat World 7:02 10 For Me This Is Heaven Jimmy Eat World 4:05 11 Blister Jimmy Eat World 3:29 12 Clarity Jimmy Eat World 4:02 13 Goodbye Sky Harbor Jimmy Eat World 16:11 Releases: Year Type Label 1999 CD Capitol 1999 CD Capitol 2001 CD Capitol 2002 CD EMI 2001 CD Nettwerk 1999 LP Big Wheel Recreation

Group Members: Mitch Porter Rick Burch Tom Linton Jim Adkins Zach Lind More >> Similar Artists: Sunny Day Real Estate Give Until Gone Piebald Hot Rod Circuit Ultimate Fakebook More >>

Influenced By: Rocket from the Crypt Weezer Jawbreaker Fugazi More >> Followers: Something Corporate House of Heroes Count the Stars The Hurt Process Hellogoodbye More >>

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