I hate the artwork of Damage, and initially that combined with the production really turned me off to the album. I’ve very much come around to the songs over the years, but I still hate the artwork and the production will always baffle me.
Clarity, Static Prevails, and Integrity Blues are good album covers. I like Bleed American’s too just bc of how iconic it feels now
I don’t think there’s anything interesting about the production, though. It doesn’t even sound rough around the edges to me, or particularly “raw.” It just sounds cheap, like they were using shitty gear and everything ended up sounding muffled and indistinct. I think the only song where that lo-fi sound works in its favor is the closer. Otherwise, it just sounds like a step you take on the making of the record, not the final record itself. Like, I’ve got the Chase This Light demos and they sound like that, and that album would be so much worse if that were the only version we ever got to hear. I might feel differently if the songs they wrote for that album were notably louder or rougher or punkier than they are, but that’s not the case. They’re bright, catchy Jimmy Eat World songs with big choruses. They deserve the budget and care that everything else this band has made since Clarity has gotten.
also does anyone have a poster from the Futures show in Phoenix they may be willing to part with? My ex took it with her when she moved out to hurt me knowing how much that album meant to me and I'd love to get another copy
All this Damage and no one brought the gem that is Lean, sounding right out of a 90s teen classic movie
All this chatter has me with a copy of Damage in the mail to give it its due. I've spent the most time with I Will Steal You Back, but looking forward to digging into all the rest, in earnest.
Listened to Damage today. I still really like the songs I really like, but even with better sounds, it would still be a lesser Jimmy for me. Also listened to Invented. Get rid of Higher Devotion and Action and wow what an amazing 10-song record!
Action barely feels like it belongs on the album but when was the last time (or the next) that we'll have a Tom led song and Higher Devotion slays. If we need to cut anything (and honestly we don't ) Coffee can go.
Finally got around to watching their Fender sessions on YT. Excellent song choices. I love hearing Jim talk about his creative process, especially about Big Casino. Stoked for a JEW album this year.