Jimmy Eat World - Stay On My Side Tonight

It’s no secret that I am a Jimmy Eat World fan. I discovered them in college and continue to drink up almost everything they pour me. Now the boys come out with a five-track EP put together while on the road touring in support of their latest full-length. In most cases, a disc compiled while on the road touring falls into one of two categories: Either the band is hitting a creative streak and just couldn’t wait to get the new material out to their fans, or the band is just throwing out some b-sides and leftovers trying to strike while the iron is hot. I am glad to say this is very much the former. The title of the disc, Stay On My Side Tonight, comes from the bridge of the opening track, “Disintegration,” an epic seven and a half minute track that builds slowly to a great crescendo. “Over” could have very easily been included on the last album, as it follows the sound and tone to a tee and flows perfectly into its musical companion on the EP, “Closer.” While a bit more up tempo than its predecessor, “Closer” builds on a foundation of drums and bass with a mellow melody and slowly picked guitar to gradually creep in your head. After the three new original tracks comes a cover of Heatmiser’s “Half Right.” Long acknowledged as a primary influence on the band, the boys do a great interpretation of the song, sticking to the soul of the original while giving it a bit of their own touch, resulting in the most emotional track on the disc. Wrapping it all up is the “Styrofoam” remix of “Drugs Or Me.” I have to admit that on the first listen I didn’t care for this track, but then again I rarely care for remixes on the first listen, finding it hard to stop the original from playing in my head. After a few listens though, the track began to grow on me, and while I still consider it the weakest cut on the disc, it is an admirable remix and worth giving a try. If nothing more, it does an excellent job of making you want to pop Futures in your player to immediately follow this disc. Simply put, this is textbook Jimmy Eat World. They aren’t reinventing their sound or trying to make a huge musical statement. This is exactly what I have come to expect from this band, and they never disappoint. At only five tracks in length, the album leaves you wanting more and more and more. Hopefully it won’t be too long until the band pours us another full-length, but until then, this will more than quench your thirst. [www.jimmyeatworld.com]