Their Future is Now |
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>> Hollywood, CA >> October 29, 2004 >> For better or worse, Jimmy Eat World get called emo, punk or something in between, but after more than an hour watching them work their craft, they really defy all attempts at classification. Actually, it quickly became clear that neither the crowd, nor the band, fit the mold. Cutting across race, gender and age lines, as the night's crowd demonstrated, J.E.W. appeal to anyone who appreciates energy, emotion, and high quality rock music. The 40-something's in attendance seemed to be enjoying the music as much as the teens singing along to every word. The band themselves are about as nondescript as any band this side of Weezer. No piercings. No tattoos. Outside of lead singer Jim Adkins' moderately long hair (and that's a stretch), there isn't anything that particularly stands out. Only die-hard fans would recognize them walking down the street.
Get these four guys - Adkins, guitarist Tom Linton, bassist Rick Burch and Zack Lind on drums - on stage, and the results are pure magic. Leading off with their biggest hit, "The Middle," from 2001's eponymous breakthrough record, they immediately ignited the crowd and got everyone moving. Normally bands wait until late in the set or into an encore before breaking out the big hit, but these guys seemed to be making a statement: get the hit out of the way, and we'll go from there. If that's all you came to hear, here it is. They needn't have worried; no one left. Instead, the crowd continued to grow, as those arriving realized that the band went on earlier than the advertised set time. Those on the floor of the theatre rose to the occasion, pushing towards the stage and singing along with every word. With the intimacy that the Henry Fonda Theatre provides, the band found themselves in the perfect setting to connect with their fans and make the venue feel that much smaller.
In true Los Angeles fashion, those seated in the balcony were just that: seated. There was the occasional fist pump, and some heads were nodding, but for the most part, it seemed like those in the balcony were at a different show than those on the floor. It was almost sad. Playing a variety of tracks from their catalogue, the set featured well-known tracks, including a wonderful version of "Get It Faster" and the sure-fire hit "Nothing Wrong" from the recently released, and simply amazing, Futures, as well as some that older fans appreciated. What made the night all the more appealing was that Jimmy Eat World live doesn't sound like Jimmy Eat World on CD. The tracks take on a life of their own, without drastic changes. It made the evening feel all the more special, feeling like you're getting your own special version of each song. On this Halloween weekend, the fans left feeling assured they had been given a definite treat. |
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