Three years ago, one of rock’s most consistent bands had a bit of a wobble when they released their concept album Invented. A record that sounded like the group were on autopilot, the opus left many fans cold and ultimately signalled a parting of ways with label Interscope. Much like one of the characters in a classic Jimmy Eat World song though, their eighth album Damage sees the band dust themselves down, roll up their sleeves and put their hearts on the line one more time.
Described as an “adult break-up record” by singer/guitarist Jim Adkins, the ten track release was produced by Alain Johannes from the Queens Of The Stone Age brain-trust, and there’s an impressive warmth and organic feel to much of the material. Made from money they stock-piled while on tour, JEW come out fighting on the punchy ‘Appreciation’ and it’s full of classic hooks and power pop guitars. The title-track and ‘Lean’ keep things ticking along nicely, but by the halfway point we’re itching for a little bit more bang for our buck.
Thankfully ‘How’d You Have Me’ delivers that and more in spades, while ‘No, Never’ is another gem, full of ‘80s new wave pop suss. The lo-fi, ragged closing track, ‘You Were Good’, ensures that Damage ends on a high. If previous JEW albums have left you heart-broken for all the wrong reasons, then their eighth should convince you to give the boys once more chance.