Music Forum's Favourite Albums Vol. 14 - Jimmy Eat World's "Futures"

[IWasaCamera]

http://www.devlounge.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/art3.gif

#27: Jimmy Eat World - Futures

I'm not even going to bother coming up with questions. Discuss.

[TheOtherAndrew]

> Clarity

[Troggy]

Bleed American >>> This

[versus_god]

I could never get into this band.

[Troggy]

So far it is not apparent why this beat out so many great albums on the list.

[IWasaCamera]

I could never get into this band.
Same.

Edit: take that Micah.

[micahistheballs]

I could never get into this band.
Seconded.

EDIT: Thirded

[Troggy]

Seconded.

EDIT: Thirded

If yourrrr listenninnngggggggg whoaoaoaoaoaoaoah

come on guys!

[funkel]

One of my all-time favorites.

[Machu505]

Good album.

[mattybobviously]

I FELT FOR SURE LAST NIGHT
THAT ONCE WE SAID GOODBYE
NO ONE ELSE WILL KNOW THESE LONELY DREAMS
NO ONE ELSE WILL KNOW THAT PART OF ME

x

[IWasaCamera]

To all those who enjoy Futures, what makes it such a good album?

[El_Jeffe]

i've never liked their strong over-polished sound right from the beginning. but i reckon this album suffers more from that than any of their previous works. futures had some mellow tunes that had some potential, but the real finery never got to show through in an emotional outfall because of the glossy production

i'm not big on this album, other than "polaris", nor this band in general really, other than clarity & the occasional odd tune here & there. yet i'm always surprised when this is hailed as their best work

[TheOtherAndrew]

To all those who enjoy Futures, what makes it such a good album?
The songs.

[IWasaCamera]

The songs.
Thank you for being difficult. What about the songs is that great?

[handlikesecret]

great album, probably one of my favorites.

[TheOtherAndrew]

Thank you for being difficult. What about the songs is that great?
You're welcome. You were the one who didn't post any questions because he didn't like the album.

The atmosphere on songs like 23, Polaris and Kill is really encompassing. That combined with Jimmy Eat World's style of songwriting, which I am generally a fan of, makes it a really good listen.

[AP_Punk]

i like jews.

[TheOtherAndrew]

i like jews.
Twinz!

[mattybobviously]

I want to just keep posting "23" lyrics but I'll refrain.

[IWasaCamera]

You're welcome. You were the one who didn't post any questions because he didn't like the album.

The atmosphere on songs like 23, Polaris and Kill is really encompassing. That combined with Jimmy Eat World's style of songwriting, which I am generally a fan of, makes it a really good listen.
No, I didn't include questions because they rarely elicit more than two or three responses which is hardly worthwhile. If I'm not getting any actual discussion, I'm not going to bother. I've kept my negative views out of every favorite album thread.

The decent comment is appreciated anyway.

[TheOtherAndrew]

No, I didn't include questions because they rarely elicit more than two or three responses which is hardly worthwhile. If I'm not getting any actual discussion, I'm not going to bother. I've kept my negative views out of every favorite album thread.

The decent comment is appreciated anyway.
Fair enough.

[chipdip18]

I like this album because it flows well. 23 is the best closer JEW has ever made, and it makes the album feel whole.

[funkel]

I fell in love with this album when it first came out, and it still means a lot to me to this day. That's probably the best I can say.

[Dr. Acula]

The atmosphere on songs like 23, Polaris and Kill is really encompassing.

What he said.

One of the stronger JEW releases by far.

[IWasaCamera]

Wow.

[theguy77]

this album has more flow and a bit more well-thought out songwriting and production than bleed american, so i guess you could say it was more professional in that respect. there's also more often an atmospheric appeal (even though jimmy eat world is one pop rock band who always does some dabbling in that category.) its a good album but the first half is so clearly better than the second half, and again they made a poor choice for their single, as "pain" is easily the least interesting song on the album. 23 makes a beautiful, very emotionally engaging closer.

[wewascontenders]

Not my favorite Jimmy Eat World album, but still a good one. Was surprised to see this on the list and not Clarity, but I guess more like this.

[theguy77]

big misunderstanding right there lol.

[IWasaCamera]

this album has more flow and a bit more well-thought out songwriting and production than bleed american, so i guess you could say it was more professional in that respect.
its a good album but the first half is so clearly better than the second half
and again they made a poor choice for their single, as "pain" is easily the least interesting song on the album.
Agree/disagree with these claims?

[theguy77]

Agree/disagree with these claims?

haha "tits a good album"

[mattybobviously]

I don't think the album has any flow at all, just a handful of decent pop/radio rock songs spread about it. He's got a hell of a voice, and there's a song or two that I have memories attached to... but that's about as far as I can go in singing its praises

[IWasaCamera]

Yeah, just spotted that. My bad.

[theguy77]

well "flow" in a poppy album works a bit differently than it would in an indie album. almost as if the songs are following some sort of mood path to lead you into dichotomies of tension and calm, blind energy and emotional depth.

[drewziph]

awesome album.
my fav by my fav band.

i love the depth of the album, with b-sides its around 17 tracks. all of which i love.

worst thing is, as much as pain and work are awesome songs, theyre noowhere near the best on the album.

a lot of the songs mean an awful lot to me,
polaris,
23,
the world you love.
just tonight
kill

i love every release they've had, but this just has more all round genius and playback value, time and time again.

[TheOtherAndrew]

I thought it flowed very well.

[drewziph]

ill be watchin this thread closely...

[CellarGhosts]

The atmosphere on songs like 23, Polaris and Kill is really encompassing. That combined with Jimmy Eat World's style of songwriting, which I am generally a fan of, makes it a really good listen.
This.


One of the stronger JEW releases by far.
And this.

this album has more flow and a bit more well-thought out songwriting and production than bleed american, so i guess you could say it was more professional in that respect. there's also more often an atmospheric appeal (even though jimmy eat world is one pop rock band who always does some dabbling in that category.) its a good album but the first half is so clearly better than the second half, and again they made a poor choice for their single, as "pain" is easily the least interesting song on the album. 23 makes a beautiful, very emotionally engaging closer.
Most of this.

i like jews.
Definitely this.

[Fin.]

This album has a full array of emotions. It goes from fun songs to love songs to serious songs to angry songs to sad songs and do all exceptionally well and without the album feeling messy or inconsistent. Overall the album comes out a little darker than Jimmy Eat World's other albums and I think it fits them really well. "23" and "Polaris" are just beautiful songs. "Work", "Pain", and "Kill" are extremely catchy. Every song seems to have a purpose other than being just another track on the album. They all stand out in their own way. I think that this should be considered one of the better albums from the 2000's.

[drewziph]

This album has a full array of emotions. It goes from fun songs to love songs to serious songs to angry songs to sad songs and do all exceptionally well and without the album feeling messy or inconsistent. Overall the album comes out a little darker than Jimmy Eat World's other albums and I think it fits them really well. "23" and "Polaris" are just beautiful songs. "Work", "Pain", and "Kill" are extremely catchy. Every song seems to have a purpose other than being just another track on the album. They all stand out in their own way. I think that this should be considered one of the better albums from 2000's.
qft

[Mirrorsandfevers]

Polaris is my favorite.

[3mpire]

Aside from Drugs Or Me, the album has some of JEWs best work. Like people have already mentioned, a lot of the songs create an atmosphere (it's quite hard to explain if you haven't heard the album) which makes for a great listen.

Standout tracks: Work, Kill, Polaris, Night Drive and 23.

[absolutecrunk]

I prefer Bleed American, you terrorists.

[EchoPark]

This album takes a darker and heavier direction that I didn't care for. Lyrically it is not Jim Adkins best work.

One thing I do love about this album is the front cover. I think it is their best of any of their records.


Clarity>>>Chase This Light>>>>Static Prevails>>>>Bleed American>>>>Futures

[Lacrimosa]

Even the new album is better than Futures.

[drewziph]

This album takes a darker and heavier direction that I didn't care for. Lyrically it is not Jim Adkins best work.

Clarity>>>Chase This Light>>>>Static Prevails>>>>Bleed American>>>>Futures

Even the new album is better than Futures.

:wallbash:

[Regards]

I prefer Bleed American, you terrorists.
This.

[Osto]

Bleed American is okay, this album is better.

[CellarGhosts]

Futures >> Bleed American

And I love the majority of Bleed American, however I have never been a fan of "Your House" and there is not one song on Futures that I dislike.

[theguy77]

your house > pain

[CellarGhosts]

:thumbdwn:

Pain is my least favorite song on Futures but Your House is just so god damned boring

I should add that I'd like it more if it was a b-side or something, because it is a good song and all but it slows the album down for me.

[theguy77]

:thumbdwn:

Pain is my least favorite song on Futures but Your House is just so god damned boring

I should add that I'd like it more if it was a b-side or something, because it is a good song and all but it slows the album down for me.

well thats not quite it though, i mean hear you me is way slower but its a way better song

[CellarGhosts]

well thats not quite it though, i mean hear you me is way slower but its a way better song
Hear You Me is awesome, and while it is slower it actually goes somewhere. Your House just doesn't grab me in any way.

But eh, it's been a while since I've listened to Bleed American, maybe I should do that and see if my opinion on it changes at all.

[theguy77]

Hear You Me is awesome, and while it is slower it actually goes somewhere. Your House just doesn't grab me in any way.

But eh, it's been a while since I've listened to Bleed American, maybe I should do that and see if my opinion on it changes at all.

i see where you're coming from though your house really doesnt go anywhere, i mean it is the worst on that album.

[ThisIsNotDan]

it's a good album, it loses momentum in the middle though. overall I like Bleed American the best out of all their work

[theguy77]

i like how this band doesnt have a definitive best album, different ones are preferred by different people.

[CellarGhosts]

i see where you're coming from though your house really doesnt go anywhere, i mean it is the worst on that album.
I think it is, yeah. I don't hate it at all or anything like that, but it's nowhere near as good as the high points like Cautioners, Sweetness, Hear You Me, or A Praise Chorus, etc. My Sundown is awesome too, and while it is rather slow too, it's still great and closes the album perfectly.

[CellarGhosts]

i like how this band doesnt have a definitive best album, different ones are preferred by different people.
for alot of people that album would be Clarity, and even though it's a great album, I don't really agree with it being lauded as their best effort.

[hockeyguitar99]

Clarity > Bleed American > Futures = Chase This Light

[jenniferlee]

for alot of people that album would be Clarity, and even though it's a great album, I don't really agree with it being lauded as their best effort.


While I don't think Clarity is their best work, it's still my favorite...if that makes sense

[Protested Hero]

Futures is a great album. I like it better than Bleed American.

[Praetor]

Why do people always forget about Static Prevails? That album rules. "Thinking, That's All" is one of Jimmy's best songs.

[CellarGhosts]

While I don't think Clarity is their best work, it's still my favorite...if that makes sense
No, I know what you mean. I think there's a difference between having a "favorite" album and seeing another as being their best work.

[Praetor]

While I don't think Clarity is their best work, it's still my favorite...if that makes sense
haha I'm the opposite, I think that musically and lyrically it's their best but I don't think it's my favorite.

[CellarGhosts]

Clarity is indeed a good album but it just doesn't connect with me the same way that their others do. As for Static Prevails, I haven't listened to that one yet so I can't really say.

[drewziph]

While I don't think Clarity is their best work, it's still my favorite...if that makes sense
i think clarity is the most epic and timeless record. but its not my favourite.
:p

[CellarGhosts]

I'm surprised this thread hasn't been receiving more attention.

[Praetor]

They've yet to make an "album" for me, on every single record they've made there are two or three songs that don't even remotely interest me.

[Praetor]

Clarity is indeed a good album but it just doesn't connect with me the same way that their others do. As for Static Prevails, I haven't listened to that one yet so I can't really say.
I would download it if I were you, it has more of a Midwest feel to it and isn't as poppy as their later work but it's plenty accessible and probably one of their best.

[CellarGhosts]

Meh, I have yet to listen to a JEW song I truly dislike or one that doesn't even interest me.

[drewziph]

I'm surprised this thread hasn't been receiving more attention.
seconded

[CellarGhosts]

I would download it if I were you, it has more of a Midwest feel to it and isn't as poppy as their later work but it's plenty accessible and probably one of their best.
Awesome. I have heard "Call It In the Air" which is a great tune, but that's the extent of my knowledge of that album, ha. I'll definitely get it though, with JEW being one of my favorite bands ever, I have no idea why I've put it off for so long.

[CellarGhosts]

seconded
With JEW being one of the most popular bands on this site (or so it seems, anyway), I would think a thread like this would be alot more popular.

[drewziph]

Meh, I have yet to listen to a JEW song I truly dislike or one that doesn't even interest me.
this is true also

they are my fav band.

i think there entire back catalog is second to none.

[CellarGhosts]

this is true also

they are my fav band.

i think there entire back catalog is second to none.
:thumbup:

I haven't heard their first album though, I think it was just self-titled? it's out of print now...

[chipdip18]

:thumbup:

I haven't heard their first album though, I think it was just self-titled? it's out of print now...

Static Prevails? Or the thing before that? Was there a thing before that?

[CellarGhosts]

Static Prevails? Or the thing before that? Was there a thing before that?
yeah, there was an album before Static Prevails

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Eat_World_%281994_album%29

[Praetor]

:thumbup:

I haven't heard their first album though, I think it was just self-titled? it's out of print now...
http://www.bsidesrus.blogspot.com

[drewziph]

:thumbup:

I haven't heard their first album though, I think it was just self-titled? it's out of print now...
i've never heard it.

i've heard them say they might re-release at some point, but as its not their best stuff they might not.

[CellarGhosts]

http://www.bsidesrus.blogspot.com
oh, sweet. I forgot all about that blog.

i've never heard it.

i've heard them say they might re-release at some point, but as its not their best stuff they might not.
yeah, I doubt that it'll ever be re-released.

[drewziph]

http://www.bsidesrus.blogspot.com
if this works...

:worship:

[IWasaCamera]

I'm surprised this thread hasn't been receiving more attention.
I'm not. No one ever discusses anything in these threads, minus the hilarious Saves The Day one.

[Troggy]

I'm not. No one ever discusses anything in these threads, minus the hilarious Saves The Day one.

Shut did I miss that one? Which album was it?

I would discuss if stuff I listened to made the list but it didn't for the most part.

[CellarGhosts]

I'm not. No one ever discusses anything in these threads, minus the hilarious Saves The Day one.
It's a shame too because I think this is a good idea, and I really enjoy discussing the albums on the list that I loved or have listened to.

[IWasaCamera]

Shut did I miss that one? Which album was it?

I would discuss if stuff I listened to made the list but it didn't for the most part.
It involved Through Being Cool and Ben.

Same here, I don't care for the vast majority of the top 40.
It's a shame too because I think this is a good idea, and I really enjoy discussing the albums on the list that I loved or have listened to.
If a new list is made, I'm not making the threads.

[Troggy]

It involved Through Being Cool and Ben.

Same here, I don't care for the vast majority of the top 40.

oh yeahhhh...hahahahaha. might go revisit that one for laughs. I'll have to go check and see how many albums on the list I own. I remember most of the highest ones I don't have.

[CellarGhosts]

It involved Through Being Cool and Ben.

Same here, I don't care for the vast majority of the top 40.

If a new list is made, I'm not making the threads.
Yeah, I don't blame you for feeling that way.

[drewziph]

good idea. but if u havn't heard the album u wont look at it i guess?

[Chris Fallon]

http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=309362

[drewziph]

http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=309362
i hadn't read that.

i now love you.

although its at least a 96% ;)

[sweetforever]

Love this album. Songs such as "Kill" and "23" have a very deep meaning to me. 23 is one of my all time favorite songs. Only song I "skip" is Drugs Or Me

[drewziph]

Love this album. Songs such as "Kill" and "23" have a very deep meaning to me. 23 is one of my all time favorite songs. Only song I "skip" is Drugs Or Me
how about the remix on stay on my side tonight?

do anything for you?

[CellarGhosts]

ugh, I hate the remix on Stay On My Side Tonight. It's the one JEW song I can truly say I dislike, but then again it shouldn't really count since it's a remix. The original version of Drugs Or Me is great.

[handlikesecret]

http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=309362
excellent review, Chris!

[sweetforever]

how about the remix on stay on my side tonight?

do anything for you?

nah not really

[UntilItKillsYou]

23 is one of my favorite songs ever. And I like this record.

I hate when people compare records, its its own record, let it be

[IWasaCamera]

Last bump.

[hailthewarrior]

I adore "Work", and the beginning of the title track makes me want to dance around the room punching into the air like a dork.

But, Bleed American would be higher on my own personal list.

[GuitarR0cker1]

Bleed American pwns this. I still enjoy Futures but it shouldn't have beat out so many good albums.

[IWasaCamera]

Such as?

[theguy77]

everyone likes bleed american better but i think the only reason for it is because it was their first hype-worthy album. futures is more well-written i think for sure.

[GuitarR0cker1]

Such as?
I know you are going to give me shit but I do not think it should have beat out TTYG, Saves the Day and some others.

[_Andrew]

23, Kill and Polaris are some of my favorite Jimmy Eat World songs...

[MusicBox24]

Bleed American>>Futures

And for me, it's not because Bleed American was "hype worthy." I just think Bleed American is the better album. Mostly because I really enjoy every song on it, whereas on Futures I always skip over "Pain" and "Drugs or Me." Therefore in terms of a complete album I prefer Bleed American, but Futures has some really strong individual songs.

[allhourcymbals]

Bleed American>>Futures

And for me, it's not because Bleed American was "hype worthy." I just think Bleed American is the better album. Mostly because I really enjoy every song on it, whereas on Futures I always skip over "Pain" and "Drugs or Me." Therefore in terms of a complete album I prefer Bleed American, but Futures has some really strong individual songs.
Agreed. I never got into Futures. Or anything else from JEW for that matter. But I always always loved Bleed American.

[Osto]

Futures is without a doubt the better record. Nothing they've made will come close to Clarity though.

[IWasaCamera]

Thanks for the input everyone. New thread will be up shortly.

[Troggy]

Agreed. I never got into Futures. Or anything else from JEW for that matter. But I always always loved Bleed American.

I'm there.

[fightinirish217]

Just listened to this album and was looking for a thread. Maybe one of my favorite albums, maybe ever. 23 is just a masterpiece. And the rest of the record is great too.

Can't wait for new JEW, Chase This Light wasn't very strong.

[11:11]

"Work" is one of my all-time favorite songs, and "23", "Kill", and "Futures" are all fantastic in their own right.

[Wait_For_It]

Great album.

[Losing Streak]

As long as Clarity ends up being ranked higher. Nothing they'll ever do will top that album. It's one of my top-five favorites of all-time.

[Losing Streak]

Futures is without a doubt the better record. Nothing they've made will come close to Clarity though.

Agreed on both points.

[IWasaCamera]

Alive and kicking.

[CalRahhh]

My favourite JEW album. "Futures", "Just Tonight..." and "Shame" are fantastic songs.

[duhpunk]

Futures is great. So much better than the mediocre, repetitive, yawn of album that Clarity is.

[Osto]

sighh...

[TheOtherAndrew]

Clarity is good, but overrated. I prefer Futures.

[theguy77]

futures is clearly their most professional, most well written, most well developed, most well produced...

[PunkDrums182]

23, Kill and Polaris are some of my favorite Jimmy Eat World songs...
Same.


This is a great album.

[PunkDrums182]

Futures is great. So much better than the mediocre, repetitive, yawn of album that Clarity is.
woah, woah, woah. Clarity is great.

[CellarGhosts]

Clarity is good, but overrated. I prefer Futures.
More or less agreed. I love Clairty but I love Futures even more.

[Losing Streak]

This thread pretty much mirrors my experience in that people currently under 21 appreciate Clarity far less than older dudes. It came out in 1999 so that's not a huge surprise I guess. It's kind of a bummer but Futures was good stuff so I'm glad people appreciate that too I guess.

[CellarGhosts]

woah, woah, woah. Clarity is great.
No kidding. It's anything but "mediocre" or a "yawn of an album". Sure I don't like it as much as I like the rest of their albums (barring Static Prevails which would be my least favorite) but it's still a very good album.

[Praetor]

Clarity is becoming my favorite JEW album...Futures is battling with it and Static Prevails stays a close third.

[Osto]

Usually I would dismiss it as a difference of opinion for someone to like another album better, but Clarity is undoubtedly their best album. It's far more developed and less overly conventional than their other albums, especially the ones following it. Futures is a very good album and probably my second favorite of theirs, but it doesn't hold a candle to Clarity.

[theguy77]

no way clarity is more well written or well produced than futures.

[SwiftSilentDead]

Usually I would dismiss it as a difference of opinion for someone to like another album better, but Clarity is undoubtedly their best album. It's far more developed and less overly conventional than their other albums, especially the ones following it. Futures is a very good album and probably my second favorite of theirs, but it doesn't hold a candle to Clarity.

Word.

[fanberlinboy]

Futures is great. 23 is easily their best album closer. Kill, Futures, and Polaris are also on my favorites list.