A better title might have been Thriving, because this record continues their remarkably consistent run and proves that they are still very much at, or at least near, the top of their game.
It succeeds in bringing a 90s aesthetic kicking and screaming in to the 21st century, shedding the nostalgia in favour of contemporary pop pomp, all delivered with Jim Adkins’ trademark optimism and heart-on-sleeve lyricism.
Two plays in, as with this utterly endearing tenth, you will overlook its flaws and follies and fall for their gentle angst massages and relentless power pop melodies. [Nov 2019, p.84]
The album on the whole is a solid, self-aware addition to Jimmy Eat World’s catalog, and if the band’s modest strivers’ outlook has proved anything, it’s that there will be another. A band whose biggest song is against writing oneself off always has work to do.
Though there is plenty of positive change across ‘Surviving’, it’s clear that their strengths still lie as a fists-in-the-air rock band; the monumental ‘One Mil’ shows this best.f hope and rebirth in their own way, digging as deep as Adkins himself is.
Jimmy Eat World still shreds after 26 years and this album is one of the best overall albums of 2019. This bands deep, deep discography justJimmy Eat World still shreds after 26 years and this album is one of the best overall albums of 2019. This bands deep, deep discography just keeps getting deeper and songs like Delivery, Criminal Energy, Love Never, One Mil and the title track will be on my playlists for years to come.…Expand
Strong from start to finish. Each song is an auditory treat, there are no sub-par moments. Perfect blend of nostalgic grunge and polishedStrong from start to finish. Each song is an auditory treat, there are no sub-par moments. Perfect blend of nostalgic grunge and polished tracks, perfect harmonies and hidden, perfectly executed surprise instrumental solos - this album is everything we could have hoped for. I only wish there was more of it!…Expand
It's actually incredible to hear an album this good at this point in a band's career. I'll freely admit that I fell out of love somewhat withIt's actually incredible to hear an album this good at this point in a band's career. I'll freely admit that I fell out of love somewhat with Jimmy during their albums between invented and damage and even to an extent chase this light (I didn't rate it as highly as others do). Something about Integrity Blues just really really clicked back into place for me and it's easily one of their best albums as far as I'm concerned and then this album drops and somehow tops it? There isn't a bad song on the whole thing, just songs I like better than others. The guitar work is impeccable as always and the rhythm section feels like it gets more freedom to shine in cuts like congratulations which is the best closer they've done since 23 imo. Also the sax solo in the already incredible All The Way (stay) is the stuff of legend.
A brisk 10 track punch of high energy, riff-laden alt-rock tracks that hit harder than almost anything Jimmy Eat World has released sinceA brisk 10 track punch of high energy, riff-laden alt-rock tracks that hit harder than almost anything Jimmy Eat World has released since 2004's Futures. All the while feeling familiar, Surviving isn't living in the past. Their 10th record feels inspired. Jim's lyrics are both universal and deeply personal, about acknowledging and honoring the past while learning how to finally live in the present and not only accept, but have pride in who he (or you!) are. That theme is consistent musically as well, with the band pulling from a deep well of influences - (All The Way(Stay) is Springsteen gone full pop rock, One Mil could almost be a lost B-side of Weezer's Pinkerton, and Criminal Energy's got savvy hair metal licks) while throwing us thoroughly contemporary curveballs in songs like 555, which is as radio-ready as they've ever been while still being thoroughly them. Meanwhile, Delivery and Love Never are instant pure Jimmy Eat World classics like you'd come to expect from them. All of this leads to a blistering prog-rock crescendo called Congratulations featuring a rallying cry from AFI's Davey Havok, leaving you on the edge of your seat wanting more, which is my only critique of Surviving - it's perhaps a bit too short. But when a band 25 years into their career leaves you STILL wanting more, I suppose it's more of a compliment.…Expand
Critics are pathetic .. Integrity Blues was a modern day rock masterpiece, but this one gets better reviews? This is a poor man's IntegrityCritics are pathetic .. Integrity Blues was a modern day rock masterpiece, but this one gets better reviews? This is a poor man's Integrity Blues .. but still good.…Expand
This album is nothing short of amazing.
There is not a weak song on it, with some belter singles types.
But my favourites are the 2 finalThis album is nothing short of amazing.
There is not a weak song on it, with some belter singles types.
But my favourites are the 2 final songs Recommit and Congratulations.....neither of which would ever be release as singles, but each in their own simply brilliant songs!
Jimmy Atkins has lost nothing of his brilliant song writing craft.
This is a welcome return to first-to-last song album brilliance with no skip songs!…Expand