Clarity [LP]

by Jimmy Eat World

Overview

On the heels of their self-titled EP in late 1998, Jimmy Eat World released their breakthrough album Clarity in 1999 and took up the mantle of emo poster boys. Deftly produced by Mark Trombino and the band, Clarity mixes introspective balladry with power-chord punk rock, elements of chamber pop, and subtle doses of electronica to create a remarkably unique album. The only single to garner radio play, the hard-edged yet poppy "Lucky Denver Mint," was also featured on the soundtrack to the Drew Barrymore film Never Been Kissed, and while the album reached an audience that far surpassed Jimmy Eat World's previous efforts, it was by no means a commercial smash hit. The band's punk influences are evident on "Your New Aesthetic," which decries the commercialization of radio as effectively as any song since Elvis Costello's "Radio, Radio." The other songs are more personal and poignant. Using string ensembles, drum loops, chimes, piano, vibraphones, and tight vocal harmonies to create intricately layered songs, Clarity alternates between hypnotic and hard rock, often in the same song. The snarl of "Blister" and "Crush" are counterbalanced by the understated beauty of "Table for Glasses" and "On a Sunday." However, most of the tracks mix both ends of the emotional spectrum with dramatic effects. The sweeping "Goodbye Sky Harbor," which clocks in at an epic sixteen-minutes-and-eleven seconds, starts off as an up-tempo romp, but evolves into an expansive piece of dream pop that includes vocal loops, several layers of delicate electric guitars, bells, and a drum machine. Heartfelt, yearning vocals from Jim Adkins and Tom Linton tie the songs on Clarity together and set them apart from other post-grunge rock acts. Neither vocalist is afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve, but both pull it off without sounding wimpy or overly forlorn. They are also versatile enough to belt out the more aggressive tunes. Trombino also deserves praise for helping to brilliantly balance excellent songwriting and traditional rock elements with adventurous production and unique instrumentation. ~ Mark Vanderhoff

Product Details

Release Date:	12/04/2015
Label:	Capitol / Polydor
UPC:	0602547473646
Rank:	5074

Tracks

1. Table for Glasses
2. Lucky Denver Mint
3. Your New Aesthetic
4. Believe in What You Want
5. A Sunday
6. Crush
7. 12/23/95
8. Ten
9. Just Watch the Fireworks
10. For Me This Is Heaven
11. Blister
12. Clarity
13. Goodbye Sky Harbor

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Jimmy Eat World   Primary Artist
Joel Derouin   Violin
Jim Adkins   Bass,Casio,Piano,Guitar,Vocals,Keyboards,Percussion,Lead Vocals,Farfisa Organ,Guitar (Bass),Organ (Hammond),Vox Continental,Guitar (Electric)
Tom Linton   Piano,Guitar,Vocals,Guitar (Electric)
Zach Lind   Bass,Bells,Drums,Chimes,Percussion,Vibraphone,Drums (Bass),Drums (Snare)
Suzie Katayama   Cello
Mark Trombino   Mini Moog,Percussion,Synthesizer,Farfisa Organ
Rick Burch   Guitar (Bass)

Technical Credits

James Adkins   Composer
Ronnie Rivera   Mixing Engineer
Brian Gardner   Mastering
Jim Adkins   Artwork,Composer,Art Direction,String Arrangements
Nick Raskulinecz   Assistant Engineer
Tom Linton   Composer
Zach Lind   Composer,Programming
Suzie Katayama   String Arrangements
Larry Elyea   Engineer,Mixing Engineer
Dean Fisher   Mixing Engineer,Mixing Assistant,Assistant Engineer
Justin Smith   Mixing Engineer,Mixing Assistant,Assistant Engineer
Mark Trombino   Mixing,Engineer,Producer,Sequencers,Programming,String Arrangements,Percussion Sequencing
Jimmy Eat World   Composer,Producer
Rick Burch   Composer
Paul Drake   Photography
Chrissy Piper   Photography
Richard Burch   Composer
Zachary Lind   Composer