Spring Break
Revisiting 'Sky Harbor'
Stephen Ortiz
Issue date: 2/26/09 Section: Focus
Monday marked the 10th anniversary of the release of Jimmy Eat World's oft-overlooked, yet highly influential album "Clarity." Equipped with a fearless attitude and a youthful outlook on love and life, it has been 10 years since the Arizona quartet set the blueprints for modern-day emo and delivered a rock masterpiece.
Monday also marked the first date of Jimmy Eat World's Clarity x 10 Tour at New York City's Terminal 5, a 10-show, 10-city homage to its classic album. Packed from wall-to-wall (and two floors up), fans waited with much anticipation - so much so that you could feel the buzz in the air. You see, this wouldn't be any ordinary show. In honor of the occasion, Jim Adkins and Co. performed the entire "Clarity" album from start to finish, from "Table For Glasses" to "Goodbye Sky Harbor."
Jimmy Eat World took the stage shortly after the opening act, Reuben's Accomplice, finished warming the crowd up with its brand of mellow alt-rock, and while there were no surprises when it came to the set list, there were highlights and memorable moments aplenty.
The set opener, "Table For Glasses," is as sincere as a modern rock ballad can be, and Adkins and Tom Linton, the band's other guitarist (Adkins also supplies backup vocals), delivered one of the most heartfelt performances I've ever seen.
"Denver Mint," "Your New Aesthetic" and "Crush" had the crowd singing along at full volume, and "Blister" had everyone pumping their fists, as neither they nor the band missed a beat.
The main set finale (right before the excellent encore, which featured hits like "Pain," "Work" and show-closer "Sweetness") "Goodbye Sky Harbor" capped off the 10-year journey Jimmy Eat World has been on to this point. One massive reference to John Irving's "A Prayer for Owen Meany," the album version of "Sky Harbor" clocks in at 16 minutes and while the version performed Monday was not, it still had all the same effects. The sweeping tempo, from an energetic romp to a hypnotic lullaby, had the audience mesmerized.
I had forgotten just how beautiful "Clarity" was in its entirety. Each track alone seems so simple, yet when combined there seems to be something so majestic and intricate about it all, like an hour-long journey. Witnessing Jimmy Eat World give its absolute all in front of its most loyal fans gave me a whole new appreciation for the album. I must say, if you've never listened to it before, maybe it is time for you to take a trip to Sky Harbor, Ariz. It's worth it.
Monday also marked the first date of Jimmy Eat World's Clarity x 10 Tour at New York City's Terminal 5, a 10-show, 10-city homage to its classic album. Packed from wall-to-wall (and two floors up), fans waited with much anticipation - so much so that you could feel the buzz in the air. You see, this wouldn't be any ordinary show. In honor of the occasion, Jim Adkins and Co. performed the entire "Clarity" album from start to finish, from "Table For Glasses" to "Goodbye Sky Harbor."
Jimmy Eat World took the stage shortly after the opening act, Reuben's Accomplice, finished warming the crowd up with its brand of mellow alt-rock, and while there were no surprises when it came to the set list, there were highlights and memorable moments aplenty.
The set opener, "Table For Glasses," is as sincere as a modern rock ballad can be, and Adkins and Tom Linton, the band's other guitarist (Adkins also supplies backup vocals), delivered one of the most heartfelt performances I've ever seen.
"Denver Mint," "Your New Aesthetic" and "Crush" had the crowd singing along at full volume, and "Blister" had everyone pumping their fists, as neither they nor the band missed a beat.
The main set finale (right before the excellent encore, which featured hits like "Pain," "Work" and show-closer "Sweetness") "Goodbye Sky Harbor" capped off the 10-year journey Jimmy Eat World has been on to this point. One massive reference to John Irving's "A Prayer for Owen Meany," the album version of "Sky Harbor" clocks in at 16 minutes and while the version performed Monday was not, it still had all the same effects. The sweeping tempo, from an energetic romp to a hypnotic lullaby, had the audience mesmerized.
I had forgotten just how beautiful "Clarity" was in its entirety. Each track alone seems so simple, yet when combined there seems to be something so majestic and intricate about it all, like an hour-long journey. Witnessing Jimmy Eat World give its absolute all in front of its most loyal fans gave me a whole new appreciation for the album. I must say, if you've never listened to it before, maybe it is time for you to take a trip to Sky Harbor, Ariz. It's worth it.
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