Jimmy Eat World - Bleed American (Deluxe Edition) (Universal Music Canada)

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After being unceremoniously dropped from the Capitol record label, Arizona's Jimmy Eat World recorded what would become their breakthrough record on their terms. With no outside influence from a record label and with the band footing the tab, could the massive success that greeted the band with this 2001 record (renamed to Jimmy Eat World after 09/11) have been any sweeter for the band to revel in?

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The upbeat track The Middle was the calling card that brought new fans to the band (ultimately reaching #1 on the Billboard charts) but people from many musical genres could find something in the band worth giving a listen to: From passionately intense songs like A Praise Chorus and the title track, the band also showed a surprisingly poppy side on other songs like If You Don't "" Don't and Sweetness.

This reissue includes a whopping 21 tracks that were previously only available as b-sides and outtakes on various Jimmy Eat World CD singles released worldwide. There are numerous highlights to be found on the second disc of bonus material including a slow burning yet very cool cover of Prodigy's Firestarter. Live versions of Sweetness, A Praise Chorus, Get It Faster and Bleed American hit the mark quite capably, showing the band is a force to be reckoned with live as well as in the studio.

The acoustic version of The Middle is nice to hear although the acoustic setting is a step backward from the powerful electric version of the song. On the other hand though, the acoustic version of If You Don't - Don't works really well in this format.

This essential Jimmy Eat World record has been made even better with this reissue. I highly recommended this release to those looking to recapture Jimmy Eat World at a time where the best was still yet to come for the group.