Sentimentality rule over Jimmy Eat World...again

Jimmy Eat World return to the scene with a new album, but an old sound. Chase This Light, J.E.W.'s latest CD proves that some bands can actually stick with the same sound from album to album. This, however, can be seen as either positive or negative. The bottom line determining whether you'll like it depends mostly on if you liked the early '00s definition of Emo punk rock. However, while listening to the album, you'll hear similarities to newer artists and a few new sweeteners and spices added to the good 'ol Jimmy Eat World recipe.

From a musical standpoint, the song structure and sound remains very similar to their past effort in Bleed American & Futures. Most of the songs are slow to medium-slow paced and feature cleanly picked power chord verses, distorted guitar chorus, and a simple bass line carrying the melody. However, the band has added more ambient synth, violin, effect pedals and background vocals that give more atmosphere than previous albums. This may turn off some fans who treasure some of the rawer sounds of earlier J.E.W.

While most of the music is this standard Jimmy formula, interesting vocal influences seem to peek out from track to track. Everything from Death Cab for Cutie "Baht bahs" to Saves The Day "Ooh oohs" to Motion City Soundtrack "Oh ohs" is present. In one notable departure from their normal vocal sound is on the track, "Electable", where the chorus sounds like AFI singing the patented Taking Back Sunday "Ut OH, whut oh" cry.

While fans will surely like the filler tracks on the album, progressive listeners will have a little harder time finding gems to love in Jimmy. Stand out tracks include "Here It Goes," which sounds like an 80's new wave song and a mellow Men, Women, & Children disco song combined. The track "Always Be" is most certainly noteworthy for its snappy percussion which will surely make you do the Charlie Brown dance for the entirety of the track. "Gotta Be Somebody's Blues" is the best slow song on the album and interestingly the most epic and intricate in production. There seems to be a gloomy Simon & Garfunkel influence on this track and it stands out as the most unique effort of Jimmy Eat World to date.

If you are looking for something with more of a hard rock kick than the single, "Big Casino" is just about the closest thing you'll get. However, there is much to be desired for fans of the tracks, "Bleed American" and "Pain".

The same themes from the past albums are carried through the lyrics of Chase This Light. If you have heard any of their hits you probably know the emotional formula. Basically, every song balances the dichotomy of inspirational "save-this-moment-it doesn't-have-to-be-this-way-lets-go-this-is-our-time" mood and the sad "I'll-never-have you-but-that's-the-way-it-is" vibe.

Any of the songs could be put to a music video of teenagers taking Polaroid's of each other in an old 1970's car followed by images of couples running through wheat fields. The music video would be juxtaposed with shots of sad young high school boys longingly looking down the hallway at a girl standing in a clique of girls. In summary, the album is their previous single, "Work", repeated over and over.

This album is certainly not redefining rock but it isn't trying to. Jimmy Eat World cracks from its shell, with the addition of some modern influences, while remaining true to its traditional sound. Everyone from moody teenagers to alternative and indie junkies will find something here that will hit them the right way; but only a handful will chase the light to the end of the tunnel. N.B.: If you didn't think that last line was cheesy and sentimental, you'll probably love this album.