Integrity Blues | ||||
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Released | October 21, 2016 | |||
Recorded | Late 2015 | |||
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Length | 46:39 | |||
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Jimmy Eat World chronology | ||||
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Singles from Integrity Blues | ||||
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Integrity Blues is the ninth studio album by American rock band Jimmy Eat World. It released on October 21, 2016, by RCA and Exotic Location Recordings. After touring in support of Damage (2013), the band members took a break. They reconvened and began writing with producer Justin Meldal-Johnsen, with recording beginning in late 2015. Sessions were held at Sunset Sound, Chez JMJ, and Unit 2. Described as an alternative rock, emo and pop rock album, Integrity Blues was compared to Silversun Pickups and late period Death Cab for Cutie.
Preceded by release of lead single "Sure and Certain" in August, the band toured Europe and the United States, leading up to the release of the album. It was promoted with further stints in Europe and the US until the end of the year. "Get Right" was released as the second single in February 2017, which was followed up by tours of US, South America, and Germany.
Integrity Blues was met with favorable reaction from music critics, many of which commented on the lyrics and production. The album peaked at number 17 on the US Billboard 200, in addition to charting in Australia, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Switzerland, and the UK. Alternative Press and Sputnikmusic considered it one of the best albums of the year.
Jimmy Eat World released their eighth album Damage in April 2013. [1] Touring in support of it took place in the US and Europe, leading up to an appearance at Reading and Leeds Festivals in mid-2014. [2] Following this, the band went on a 10th anniversary tour for their fifth album Futures (2004), playing in the US, Australia, and New Zealand. [3] The members re-group and decided to take a break throughout 2015, preferring to focus their efforts on other things. [4] [5] Frontman Jim Adkins performed solo shows and released a series of singles; bassist Rick Burch ran a distillery in Arizona; drummer Zach Lind made two EPs with his wife under the name the Wretched Desert; and guitarist Tom Linton took up boxing. [6] [7] [8]
Jimmy Eat World intentionally wanted to work with a new producer that they had no past experience with, and to push them out of their comfort zone. [9] During the writing of their next album, the band brought in Justin Meldal-Johnsen. [4] By this point, the material they had was in varying states of completion. [10] In late 2015, the band travelled to Los Angeles, California to record their next album. [9] Sessions were held at Sunset Sound, Chez JMJ and Unit 2, with Meldal-Johnsen and the band sharing the producer role. Mike Schuppan, Carlos de la Garza, Meldal-Johnsen, Adkins and Lind acted as engineers, with assistance from Geoff Neal. Ken Andrews mixed the recordings while Dave Cooley mastered them at Elysian Mastering. [11]
Musically, the sound of Integrity Blues has been described as alternative rock, [12] and pop rock, [13] [14] drawing comparison to Silversun Pickups and late period Death Cab for Cutie. [15] While it has also been tagged as emo by one critic, this has been disputed by another. [12] [16] Adkins said it was about "throwing away your default responses to life, accept life on the terms of life and becoming willing to accept the best any of us have is to be in a state of progress." [5] As Damage tackled problems, Adkins wanted Integrity Blues to take on the situations behind those problems, whether it be relationship issues or one's position in life. [17] Adkins also stated in a podcast interview in April 2020 that he considered himself an "Alcoholic" and had got sober around the time of writing the album. [18] Meldal-Johnsen provided keyboards, programming and percussion to the recordings. [11] While the band has previously employed the use of synthesizers on their past releases, they used it more on Integrity Blues, which was aided due by Meldal-Johnsen's enthusiasm for the instrument. [19]
Consequence writer Ben Kaye said the album acted as the "perfect bridge between Bleed American vulnerability and Futures aggression". [16] Courtney Marie Andrews contributed additional vocals on "You with Me", "Sure and Certain" and "Pol Roger", alongside Robin Vining, who sung on "You with Me", "Sure and Certain" and "Pretty Grids". Vining also added keyboards to "The End Is Beautiful" and "Pol Roger". Roger Joseph Manning Jr. arranged the strings, brass and woodwind accompaniment heard on title-track and "Pol Roger". Vannessa Frebairn-Smith acted as the session leader for these arrangements, which comprised Mike Whitson on viola, Rob Schear on trumpet, Nick Daley on trombone, Lara Wickes on English horn, and Jessica Pearlman on oboe. [11] Adkins wanted to include the brass instrumentation as a backing instrument as he had previously employed it on his solo material. [4]
The opening track "You with Me" begins with acoustic guitars, [20] and continues with falsetto vocal harmonies. [21] "Sure and Certain" starts with grunge guitars, [13] and is aided by a choral section akin to Chvrches. [21] "It Matters" lacks any guitars, [21] and consists of piano. [20] The alternative rock song "Pretty Grids" [22] recalls the sound of the band's seventh album Chase This Light . [23] "Pass the Baby" starts off as a no-fi electronic track that sees Adkins singing over programmed drums, with guitarwork akin to the xx. [21] [24] It switches to math rock and concludes with a heavy coda section, which was reminiscent of The Fragile (1999)-era Nine Inch Nails, and the Smashing Pumpkins. [15] [21] [25] According to Adkins, the song talks about manipulation and how one's "short-term gains sometimes come back and blossom into something that's not really what you expected or hoped for," and having to deal with that. [9] "Get Right" is driven by an aggressive downtuned guitar riff, [25] and heavy-sounding percussion instrumentation. [22] "You Are Free" sees Linton utilize arpeggiated guitar notes in the vein of American Football. [26]
"The End Is Beautiful" a mid-tempo ballad; [22] its slow acoustic guitarwork earned it a comparison to "Hear You Me" and "Cautioners", both tracks from Bleed American. [21] [27] The "Work"-esque "Through" [20] returns to the upbeat nature of "Sure and Certain". [22] The title-track sees Adkins' vocals accompanied by an organs and string section [22] in the style of Van Dyke Parks. [28] He said it began as "an acoustic waltz kind of thing", before changing into its final form. [29] The closing track "Pol Roger" features horns and an orchestral section, ending with a chorus singing "na na na". [15] The song talks about finding contentment with being alone, without feeling lonely, while the title alludes to a hotel chain in Glasgow where all of the rooms are named after alcoholic beverages. [6] [16] The first verses sees Adkins explore a beach close to Hyde Park in Sydney, Australia. [16] Journalist Alex Rice felt that it, alongside the band's previous album closers, owes its debt to "Anderson Mesa", the final song from their second studio album Static Prevails (1996), as that song laid the groundwork for the band's "sprawling epics [that] have become a signature sign-off". [30]
On August 19, 2016, the band posted a teaser on their website, hinting at a new album. [31] Two days later, "Get Right" premiered on BBC Radio 1. [32] It was available on the band's official website for free download, [33] and a lyric video was released. [34] On August 30, the band debuted the lead single "Sure and Certain" on KROQ-FM. [35] It was released on 7" vinyl, with the extra song "My Enemy", [36] which was used as part of the 30 Days, 30 Songs project. [37] On the same day, Integrity Blues was announced for release in October, [38] and a lyric video was released for "Sure and Certain". [39] On September 6, the band revealed the album's track listing and artwork. For the remainder of the month, and throughout October, the band played small shows and festivals across Europe and North American. [40] They were aided by Vining, who played guitar and keyboards. [41]
In late September 2016, the band performed "Sure and Certain" on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert . [42] Lyric videos were released for "You with Me" and "You Are Free" on October 7 and 14, respectively. [43] [44] Integrity Blues was released on October 21 through RCA and Exotic Location Recordings. [45] Four days later, the band appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! , again playing "Sure and Certain". [46] After a series of shows in California, the band embarked on a European tour in November. [47] On November 16, a music video was released for "Sure and Certain", [48] directed by Flynt Flossy. [49] After returning to the US, the band played a run of shows from late November into mid-December. [50] In January 2017, the group appeared on Conan , performing "Get Right" and "Integrity Blues". [51]
Later that month, the band played a few shows in Australia around an appearance at the Australian Open. [52] "Get Right" was released to alternative radio stations on February 28, 2017. [53] In February and March, the band toured the southern US states, with support from AJJ. [54] Following this, the band went on a brief South American tour in March and April, appearing at Lollapalooza Chile. [50] The band then went on a cross-country US tour in April and May, with support from Beach Slang. [55] On June 29, a music video was released for "Get Right". [56] The band then played four shows in Germany in June and July, prior to a North American stint with Incubus in July and August. They then made an appearance at the Reading and Leeds Festivals in the UK. [55] In December, the Integrity Blues Acoustic EP was released, featuring acoustic versions of "Integrity Blues", "Sure and Certain" and "Get Right". [57]
Aggregate scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 76/100 [58] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [15] |
The A.V. Club | B [23] |
Consequence of Sound | B− [24] |
Drowned in Sound | 7/10 [25] |
Exclaim! | 7/10 [26] |
Louder Than War | 7/10 [20] |
The Music | [27] |
Pitchfork | 7.3/10 [21] |
Sputnikmusic | 5/5 [22] |
Ultimate Guitar | 7.7/10 [59] |
Integrity Blues was well received by music critics upon its release. On the review aggregating website Metacritic, the album obtained an average score of 76, based on 12 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews". [58] AllMusic reviewer Neil Z. Yeung said it "shines in the dark with glimmering production, [and] a refreshed sense for hooks ... strik[ing] a clean balance between past and present". [15] Sputnikmusic staff member SowingSeason found it to contain "breathtaking melodies and intimate lyrics", with the "dreamy sensation and emotional relevance of Futures." [22] The A.V. Club writer Zoe Camp considered it their "glossiest release to date", witnessing the band "doubling down on the jagged hooks and dulcet-sung choruses ... festooned with their usual angst". [23] Consequence of Sound senior writer Karen Gwee wrote that the band "harness a distinctly darker, slower sound" with Integrity Blues, full of "oblique Adkins lines for the books". [24] Ultimate Guitar staff team said that if the listener was looking for "catchy lyrics and emotional melodies ... then you may be pleasantly surprised" as the music was "very easy to get into." [59]
Pitchfork contributor Ian Cohen said it was a "complete fabrication of a four-person rock band, a proudly produced record". He added that the album "finds itself sharing its dominant concern of using the [emo] genre's inherent vulnerability and introspection to promote self-esteem rather than self-pity." [21] The Music writer Tash Loh begins with "a slow-burning build," eventually "fad[ing] through beat-driven tracks". [27] Sam Lambeth of Louder Than War wrote that the album was "a complete contrast to Damage's muscular minimalism", with Meldal-Johnsen "sprinkl[ing] his dynamic DNA all over the album's tracks ... keep[ing] the record fun and exciting." [20] Drowned in Sound 's Aidan Reynolds found it "a wonderful thing to hear Jimmy Eat World rediscover the form that stretched from Clarity through Futures ... their dedication to honest, wide-eyed songcraft has resulted in their best album in over a decade." [25] Exclaim! writer Ian Gormely said it followed a "rough guide" of studio experimentation started by Clarity, while taking "some steps towards improvising a few lines". In other parts of the album, "the band fall back into their usual groove." [26]
Integrity Blues charted at number 17 on the US Billboard 200, and number four on the Billboard Alternative Albums chart. [60] [61] Outside of the US, the album reached number 21 in the UK, [62] number 27 in Australia, [63] number 25 in Germany, [64] number 14 in Ireland, [65] number 70 in Canada, [66] and number 80 in Switzerland. [67] "Sure and Certain" charted at number 10 on Alternative Airplay, [68] number 14 on Rock Airplay, [69] number 17 on Triple A Songs, [70] and number 32 on Hot Rock & Alternative Songs. [71]
Publication | Rank | List |
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Alternative Press | N/A | The 30 Best Albums of 2016 [72] |
Sputnikmusic | 14 | Top 50 Albums of 2016 [73] |
All songs written by Jimmy Eat World. All songs produced by Justin Meldal-Johnsen and Jimmy Eat World. [11]
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "You with Me" | 5:18 |
2. | "Sure and Certain" | 3:35 |
3. | "It Matters" | 3:54 |
4. | "Pretty Grids" | 4:11 |
5. | "Pass the Baby" | 5:23 |
6. | "Get Right" | 2:49 |
7. | "You Are Free" | 4:14 |
8. | "The End Is Beautiful" | 4:25 |
9. | "Through" | 2:51 |
10. | "Integrity Blues" | 3:12 |
11. | "Pol Roger" | 6:47 |
Total length: | 46:39 |
Personnel per booklet. [11]
Jimmy Eat World
Additional musicians
| Production
|
Chart (2016) | Peak position |
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Australian Albums (ARIA) [63] | 27 |
Canadian Albums (Billboard) [66] | 70 |
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) [64] | 35 |
Irish Albums (IRMA) [65] | 41 |
New Zealand Heatseekers Albums (RMNZ) [74] | 6 |
Scottish Albums (OCC) [75] | 15 |
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) [67] | 80 |
UK Albums (OCC) [62] | 21 |
US Billboard 200 [60] | 17 |
US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard) [61] | 4 |
Jimmy Eat World is an American rock band formed in 1993 in Mesa, Arizona. The band is composed of lead vocalist and lead guitarist Jim Adkins, rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist Tom Linton, bassist Rick Burch, and drummer Zach Lind. They have released ten studio albums, all but the first featuring the current line-up.
Futures is the fifth studio album by American rock band Jimmy Eat World, released on October 19, 2004, through Interscope Records. After touring in support of Bleed American (2001) for two years, the band returned home and began working on new material by mid-2003. Following fruitless sessions with producer Mark Trombino, the band re-grouped and recorded with Gil Norton. The sessions lasted from February to May 2004 and were held at various studios in California and Arizona. Described as encompassing several rock styles, Futures included more solos and complex guitar parts than past releases, intended to expand on the atmosphere of their third studio album Clarity (1999). The songs on the album were compared to the work of Jets to Brazil and Maritime, while some of the guitar parts echoed the sound of Fugazi and Hüsker Dü.
James Christopher Adkins is an American musician who is best known as the lead guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter of the rock band Jimmy Eat World.
Bleed American is the fourth studio album by the American rock band Jimmy Eat World, released on July 24, 2001, by DreamWorks Records. The album was re-released as Jimmy Eat World following the September 11 attacks; that name remained until 2008, when it was re-released with its original title returned.
Static Prevails is the second studio album by American rock band Jimmy Eat World, released on July 23, 1996, through Capitol Records. Following the release of the band's self-titled debut album (1994), they signed to Capitol in mid-1995 for further releases. Carrier member Rick Burch replaced bassist Mitchel Porter, who left to become a Mormon missionary. Recorded at Sound City in Los Angeles, California, and at Big Fish, in Encinitas, California, Wes Kidd, Mark Trombino, and Jimmy Eat World acted as producers for the album.
Clarity is the third studio album by American rock band Jimmy Eat World. It was released on February 23, 1999, through Capitol Records, with which Jimmy Eat World clashed several times while recording their second studio album Static Prevails (1996). The band recorded a follow-up with producer Mark Trombino in May and June 1998, and were free to make it however they wanted without interference from Capitol. The recording sessions began at Sound City in Van Nuys, California, before moving to Clear Lake Audio in North Hollywood, California. Clarity, which is described as an emo, pop punk, and punk rock release, marked the beginning of frontman Jim Adkins' tenure as the band's main vocalist, taking over from guitarist Tom Linton.
Ken Andrews is an American musician, singer-songwriter, and record producer. Andrews was born in Seattle, Washington, and attended film school in Los Angeles before his band Failure received a record deal from Slash Records.
"The Middle" is a song by American rock band Jimmy Eat World. It was released in October 2001 as the second single of their fourth album, Bleed American (2001). It was a number-five hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 2002 and reached the top 50 in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The song was a breakthrough hit for Jimmy Eat World, who had self-financed the recording of the Bleed American album after being dropped by Capitol Records in 1999. It is considered the band's signature song.
"Sweetness" is a song by American rock band Jimmy Eat World. It was released in June 2002 as the third single from their 2001 album, Bleed American. It was originally written soon after the band finished recording Clarity but before the label had finally decided to release the album. However, "Lucky Denver Mint" became a surprise radio hit off of Clarity before the album was even released, driving the label to release Clarity before "Sweetness" could ever be added to its tracklisting. The band also played the song live many times during the Clarity tour, and a demo recording of it was included on the 2007 re-issue of Clarity.
Chase This Light is the sixth studio album by American rock band Jimmy Eat World. The band began working on the follow-up to Futures (2004) by late 2005, and had made demos by early 2006. They started recording their next album with engineer Chris Testa between Arizona and California. Butch Vig was enlisted as an executive producer, acting in a consultancy role, where he would provide feedback on the material. Sessions began in August 2006 and lasted until May 2007, with tours of the US and Europe in between. Described as a power pop, pop rock and pop-punk record, the guitars drew comparison to the Outfield and U2, while individual song comparisons were made to the likes of the Killers, the All-American Rejects and Shout Out Louds.
"Work" is a song by Jimmy Eat World from their 2004 album, Futures. It was the second single released from that album. The song was written by Jim Adkins and features backing vocals by Liz Phair. "Work" was released to radio on December 7, 2004.
The American rock band Jimmy Eat World has released ten studio albums, twenty-three singles, seven extended plays, three live albums, one compilation album, one video album, and one song on the "various artists" compilation What's Mine Is Yours.
Justin Meldal-Johnsen is an American musician, record producer, songwriter and musical director. He is best known for his work with artists such as Beck, Nine Inch Nails, M83, Air, and St. Vincent.
Invented is the seventh studio album by American rock band Jimmy Eat World. Following the release of Chase This Light (2007), frontman Jim Adkins began a writing exercise that involved writing about photographs, which would serve as the lyrical basis for their next album. Recorded primarily at the band's home-based studio, the sessions were co-produced by Mark Trombino. Described as a power pop album, it featured guest vocals from Courtney Marie Andrews and Rachel Haden. Several of the songs earned comparisons to Foo Fighters, the Offspring, and Rites of Spring, among others.
Mike Schuppan is an American producer, mixing engineer and recording engineer. He is known for his work with Paramore, M83, Jimmy Eat World and others. He has been the long time engineer for Justin Meldal-Johnsen and served as his bass tech while touring with Nine Inch Nails and Beck. Mike has a private studio in Hollywood, California.
Damage is the eighth studio album by American rock band Jimmy Eat World. It was released on June 11, 2013, through RCA and Exotic Location Recordings. As touring in support of Invented (2010) was winding down by late 2011, the band started writing new material in early 2012. The band spent September and October 2012 at producer Alain Johannes' house in Los Angeles, California recording their next album with analog tape and Pro Tools. Described as an adult breakup album, Damage is a power pop and rock album.
"Sure and Certain" is the lead single from Jimmy Eat World's ninth studio album, Integrity Blues. It was released on August 30, 2016. The single's B-side, "My Enemy", is a protest anthem against Donald Trump that was notably recorded for Dave Eggers' 30 Days, 30 Songs project.
After Laughter is the fifth studio album by the American rock band Paramore. It was released on May 12, 2017, through Fueled by Ramen, as a follow-up to their 2013 self-titled album. After Laughter was produced by guitarist Taylor York alongside previous collaborator Justin Meldal-Johnsen. It is the band's first album since the return of drummer Zac Farro and the departure of former bassist Jeremy Davis. After Laughter represents a complete departure from the pop-punk and alternative rock sound of the band's previous releases and, in direct contrast to its upbeat and vibrant sound, touches on themes of exhaustion, depression and anxiety.
Surviving is the tenth studio album by American rock band Jimmy Eat World. The album was released on October 18, 2019, through RCA and Exotic Location Recordings. After touring in support of Integrity Blues (2016) concluded in mid-2017, the band began writing new material. Following various tours throughout 2018 and early 2019, the band recorded their next album in their home studio in Arizona, with co-producer Justin Meldal-Johnsen. Described as an alternative rock, arena rock, emo, pop rock, and pop punk record, Surviving was compared to the band's earlier albums Chase This Light (2007) and Damage (2013).
"Something Loud" is a song by American rock band, Jimmy Eat World. It was released on June 10, 2022 as the band's first independent single on their label, Exotic Location.
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