Given the recent events in Manchester that left many concertgoers worldwide reeling, the power of live music is more important now than ever. The kind of music that makes you truly feel alive is even more vital. One song can change the world, and in the case of Guildford, UK’s Seasonal, their new EP Bloom is doing just that. While comparisons to Deaf Havana and Taking Back Sunday might be the more obvious ones, it’s on tracks like EP opener “Certainty” that they’re making a name for themselves with the kind of anthemic, pop-influenced rock that broke the aforementioned bands.
Even better is the band’s mutual love of Jimmy Eat World, specifically the band’s 1999 album Clarity. While that band’s commercial success arrived on their next two records, it’s Clarity that remains one of the most influential pop-punk/emo records of the 90’s. Seasonal is here to do a track by track of the album, which we totally love – any band influenced by that record is worth a listen. Check it out below, as well as the band’s music video for “Certainty”.
Here’s our track by track of Jimmy Eat World – Clarity.
Jimmy Eat World’s ‘Clarity’ has got to be one of the strongest records of all time. It’s one of our bands favorites, so much so that we felt the need to tip our cap to it in our track ‘Headphones’ on our debut record ‘Bloom’. When they did the tour of Clarity, I went to the same show 2 days in a row. I’ve got so much love for it, so I’m stoked I get to do a track by track of the record for you! Let’s jump in…
‘Table For Glasses’ is such an incredible opening track. It just seeps in and infects you progressing vocally with soft harmonies and a fantastic use of additional instrumentation. It introduces this emotionally charged record and really delivers that less can be more. Jim’s vocals are raw and passionate throughout and this is something that has influenced our own songwriting massively.
‘Lucky Denver Mint’ was the first track I heard by Jimmy Eat World. I was drawn in instantly and couldn’t put it down. The production on this track with the layering of drums and the percussive picking guitars in the verses breaking out into the anthemic chorus made this an instant classic, and rightly the lead single. The song for me speaks of someone who feels like they have been left behind, because they are chasing their dreams, but they’re beating themselves down and feel a wish could be their last hope. However you take it, it’s deep.
‘Your New Aesthetic’ delivers a much darker, heavier side to the band. Heavier guitars, and an aggressive call and response vocal really set this track apart on the record. The song seems to talk about the bands impression of the popular music industry and short lived success from artists as products of the machine – ‘Sing now while you can’ rings out over the middle 8. It’s short, coherent and an absolute banger.
‘Believe In What You Want’ slips in to a chirpier, poppy riff which always slaps a smile on my face. The use of the organ in the second verse over said riff is great addition that lifts the track up. Materialism and complex media and celebrity make people lose sight of what really matters in life. I have always admired this band for keeping it real in the most literal sense. ‘Please keep in sight what makes you care, you have it always’. Preach.
‘A Sunday’ strips back and presents you with a twinkly xylophone and soft droning guitar, layered up with an equally twinkly lead guitar line. This is a progressive song and gets back to rocking a bit harder in the latter parts of the song. Instrumentally it is one of my favorites on the record. Sunday is the day of rest and reflection and the lyrics carry this message of someone who is looking back on the weekend and a story of meeting someone, and then it being over. ‘There’s 36 hours less hours I have to change’, ‘Live with that’.
‘Crush’ is one of the more upbeat tracks on the record. Heavy guitars but all in a wonderful major context that lends itself to the lyricism of a first crush. The vocal arrangements in this track are so strong, showing off the range of Jim and Tom’s voices. The harmonies and dynamic of near shouting to the softer spoken ‘Like a breath’ makes this a really special track. A definite go to for a quick fix.
‘12.23.95’ has this awesome glitchy introduction followed by what I think is one of the best clean guitar tones I have ever heard. It just shimmers. I think this song is an ode to those who struggle to express their feelings and say what they feel before it’s too late. For a song that’s only got 4 or 5 different lines in it, it says a lot.
‘Ten’ continues the melancholy, and I think on this track it’s a good point to compliment the choice of drums and beats on the record. It’s a statement to picking a solid groove that carries the track, and just going with it. It gives and doesn’t detract from any of the other instrumentation. My favorite element of this track has to be Jim showing so much character and emotion in his vocals over the ‘Blame no one’ lines. I often find myself replaying the last chorus a few times before moving on with the record.
‘Just Watch The Fireworks’ is one of Max’s favorite tracks on the record. The progression of the track from start to finish, the way it builds up, and layers the strings over the guitars with the raw emotions in the vocals make for a winning combination in our eyes. I honestly think to write a track that is 7 minutes long and flow so flawlessly is an achievement in itself. Throughout their other records, they’ve shown they can do this time and time again. Respect.
‘For Me This Is Heaven’ is an aptly named track. If heaven exists I hope it sounds like this. It’s the first track Matt heard by the band. He listened to it on repeat for a few hours on a mix CD his friend gave him and thought they were called Jew for days. If you listen to only one track on this album, make it this one. It’s got electric guitars, acoustic guitars, pianos and awesome lyrics. I have always thought it was a post break up story, reminiscing on what was a great relationship but didn’t work for whatever reason. ‘Can you still feel the butterflies?’
‘Blister’ brings us back to the balls out hard punk rock sound we heard more on their previous record, and with Tom taking the lead vocal again, even more so. All you need to know is ‘How long would it take me to walk across the United States all alone’. That will now be stuck in your head forever.
‘Clarity’ maintains the rockier edge of the record and it a fantastic title track. The chorus guitar hook is just so punchy and catchy. Lyrically it’s about a relationship that is not working out, and it’s just saying stop making excuses to not end it. A moment of Clarity.
‘Goodbye Sky Harbor’ is a testament to why Jimmy Eat World are one of the greatest bands on the planet. The lyrical content is that of a book called ‘A Prayer for Owen Meany’ by John Irving. This is followed by 13 minutes of beautiful soundscaping with a guitar looping and layers of vocal harmonies. It’s a really special track that understandably some listeners might think drags on a bit, but just hear it once at the right time and you will never think that again. You really can get lost in it.
So that’s the roundup of ‘Clarity’ by Jimmy Eat World from our point of view. This band have had a profound impression on all of our musical tastes from a young age, so it’s only fair to give them the review they deserve. 11/10
Digitally via iTunes
Stream “Bloom” via Soundcloud
