Instead of integral diet, Jim Adkins and emo entourage have decided to kick off with integral blues – ones again. Those of you who are familiar with the work of Jimmy Eat World probably know that they are representative of emo millenials. At least one of the trailblaizers. It’s been fifteen years since Bleed American, an album that shook emo-pop-rock-punk scene. It’s also been a long time since the last solid theme album Damage. Those are my favorite albums from this band. Today, Jimmy Eat World found a way to be sensitive again. Unfortunately, not in a good way.
Integrity Blues is bursting from teenage pathetic whining. Punk has been kicked out long time ago, rock is holding on for life, while emo dominates. The whole album is slow, slothful and dormant. Lyrical theme is lost somewhere in between the boring melodies. Every now and then you hear a solid solo or drum section, but these parts are rare.
Music is minimalistic, probably intentionally. Standard additions such as the bells in the background or female back vocals are enriched with annoying electronic. In combination with moaning vocal and dismal lyrics that do not offer anything substantial, it is tough to pick what is good on the album. For me, it is the last part of Pass The Baby, that comes as some sort of sonic gratification after 10 songs of torture. Sorry, not sorry.
If you think I was harsh in this review, I have even more grave conclusion. Without any intention to disrespect Jim Adkins, the frontman of the band, I must say that this album is garbage. It’s me, not you. I am looking for something more energetic and angsty. This is for someone who is into softcore indie melancholy. However, Integrity Blues does not sound integrated to me.
