CLARITY
This album received less than favorable reviews upon its initial release, but with the fans' love of the band and this album in particular they have forced, through sales, a re-evaluation of the songs individually and as a whole. The style hardcore punk has now been reworked and with melodic driven guitars and emotional, often begging, lyrics and vocals, been re-named 'emocore' or 'emo music'. Another tragedy of musical decline so the record companies can capitalize on the watered down appeal of top 40 radio. This is no way declaring this release ear candy friendly only.
Jimmy Eat World has given some light to the category of 'emo music' and as each track plays (the order is well selected), the listener can hear the growth within the writing lyrically and musically. The change in singers gives an incredible boost which is not to say that Tom Linton is not a good singer, but the ever evolving music globe puts Jim Adkins's voice front and center with other bands emerging in the pop/rock genre.
"Where Is My Darkened Room Of Gloom And Doom" are not lyrics you will find within the context of this CD. The guitars give the production an increased power-driven feel and are not sappy and indistinguishable. "Table For Glasses" is slow and extremely drawn out but Dashboard Confessional picked up where this song left off when recording their 2001 CD, The Places You Have Come To Fear The Most.
The band has found the sound that works for them, but lyrically they lack content. The words are often forced to fit within the production of the music. Someday, listeners will again demand a bit more from the newly emerging bands.
RUSTY
2/23/1999