Jimmy Eat World is a really strange band name. But let's analyze it, it may mean something that no one has realized yet. I don't know if this has been discussed yet, but here's my take on it. Jimmy is a typical name, a guy obviously. Jimmy Eat World, Jimmy is taking in the world and is forced to swallow it all whole. Jimmy will experience all of the worlds ups and downs whether he likes it or not. All Jimmy knows, is that he has to live with what he has recently dined on. This interpretation comes from the type of the music that this band plays. The music is some of the most uplifting, soothing, and hard rocking music I have ever heard.
The world once ate Jimmy, Jimmy sought revenge…
Most of the songs written for the band are based on Jim Adkins actual life experiences. He was once heavy into drugs, but snapped out of it. Now he shares his life through his music, and JEW are pretty good when it comes to making music. I'd say that it is probably the best music for teenagers out there. It's not "emo" and it doesn't involve suicide or eyeliner and all that other bulls
hit music for people 15 and older. The lyrics that JEW provide are something to look at. They have positive attitude, and they aren't fake. It's all real, and the way they show it is phenomenal to their genre. JEW do a lot for the basic AltRock genre. Here is a snippet of lyrics from the song “A Praise Chorus”.
Are you going to live your life wondering
standing in the back, looking around?
are you going to waste your time thinking
how you've grown up
or how you missed out?
things are never going be the way you want
where's it going to get you acting serious?
things are never going to be quite what you want
even at twenty five you got to start sometime.
The band has really changed my view on life, and the world around me. It allowed me to see between the lines and deeper than I did before I discovered the band. I always liked them a little bit, but everyone’s heard “The Middle”. When I decided I needed more, I bought Bleed American, and I’m glad I did.
As I said before, JEW is music for high school kids. If you’ve heard any song by the band, then you would know that their lyrics are inspirational. They are powerful enough and emotional enough to make any 17 year old fuc
kup snap straight and be a good boy. Well, that was an exaggeration :(, but the lyrics are as good as a Sunday morning service. For example, the title track “Bleed American” is all about the problems with American society. It’s about how we would all rather tune in to Trading Spouses then spend time with family; or even go and do more important things. Also how it seems that pills can be the cure for anything these days. It’s songs like these that define the band. It’s not just the lyrics that standout. The wailing guitar riff and the steady drumbeat carry the song as well as the vocals.
Jimmy Adkins is a really good vocalist. He has a soft and mid-range pitched voice. He lays everything out nicely for you to hear. Jim also tries to sing as clear as possible so you can hear every word he says. Zach Lind is also a very good drummer. Zach puts heart into every snare-smash when the adrenaline is really pumping. He has good rhythm and is a high-point in the band. These two people are the main points in the band, they just make everything better.
“Bleed American” was a great start for the band. It showed us back in 2002 that you could in fact make music to help people out rather then confuse them. Any parent would recommend this band to any child, simply because of its cleanliness. Any person in high school would find something to love in this album. It can put a smile on the coldest of faces. I can assure you, it put one on mine. I leave you with a lyric from “The Middle”.
It just takes some time,
little girl, you're in the middle of the ride.
Everything everything will be just fine.
Everything everything will be alright, alright.
Step away from the world Jimmy, Dylan wants a bite.
-btbp
