Live Review and Photos by: JACOB GAITAN
Alternative rock group Jimmy Eat World wrapped their brief ‘Bleed American’ California dates in Los Angeles last week, performing the album that launched them into mainstream superstardom a decade ago. The album that spawned four singles within the top twenty attracted fans from all ages as the Arizona natives rocked the sold out Wiltern for over two hours. The evening began with the self-titled album track and continued with bright red and blue fluorescent lights and blinding strobes. The set list mirrored the albums track list, and once lead singer Jim Adkins played the famous melody of ‘The Middle,’ a series’ of high-pitched cheers and screams bounced across the walls only to be topped by a unison crowd participation of the chorus.
Throughout the night, Adkins’ emotional interaction with the audience was felt each time he thanked them. Their solid and loyal fan base helped Jimmy Eat World gain major support across the country from radio stations launching four singles off the album alone. After performing the album in its entirety, they took a short recess and returned for a ten-song encore tweaking their set list with older material. ‘Goodbye Sky Harbor’ began their second hour performance, which included ‘Blister’ off the same album the soothing ballad ‘Invented.’ The night ended with fan favorite ‘Pain,’ gaining one of the loudest ovations of the evening.
Bleed American hit shelves two months before the September 11 twin tower attacks and out of concern for the album being misinterpreted, they voluntarily rereleased the album as a self-titled record. The deluxe album, released in 2008 reverted the album to its original title, and also changed the track ‘Salt, Sweat, Sugar’ back to it’s original ‘Bleed American’ name. Having spent the greater part of 2010 on the road and scattered shows in 2011, Jimmy Eat World will take some time off before heading back into the studio this winter to record their eighth album.
SET LIST:
Bleed American.
A Praise Chorus.
The Middle
Your House
Sweetness
Hear You Me
If You Don’t
Get It Faster
Cautioners
The Authority Song
My Sundown
Encore
Goodbye Sky Harbor
Work
Big Casino
Blister
Invented
Lucky Denver Mint
My Best Theory
Evidence
Play
Pain
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