Jimmy Eat World: Jim Adkins (vocals, guitar, piano, organ, percussion, bells); Tom Linton (guitar, organ, background vocals); Rick Burch (bass); Zach Lind (drums, percussion).

Additional personnel: Mark Trombino (percussion, programming); Davey VonBohlen, Rachel Haden, Ariel Rechtshaid (background vocals).

Recorded at Cherokee, Los Angeles, California and Harddrive, North Hollywood, California.

This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.

Personnel: Jim Adkins (vocals, guitar, piano, organ, percussion, bells); Tom Linton (vocals, guitar, organ); Rick Burch (vocals, bass guitar); Davey vonBohlen, Rachel Haden, Ariel Rechtshaid (vocals); Zach Lind (drums, percussion); Mark Trombino (percussion, programming).

Audio Mixer: Mark Trombino .

In the years leading up to 2001's self-titled release, Jimmy Eat World racked up a sizable fan base through many of the normal routes for indie-rock bands (constant touring, split singles with popular scene bands, a few full-lengths and EPs on both indie and major labels). However, what propels Jimmy Eat World to another level is their uncanny knack for appealing to a wide audience by cobbling together the jagged guitar sincerity of bands like Fugazi and Jawbox with the hooks bands like Green Day and Blink-182 rode to multi-platinum success, tempering these creations with touches of power-pop and metal.

The band immediately captures attention on JIMMY EAT WORLD's opening track (and one-time title track), "Bleed American," a scathing yet engaging fiery anthem made for radio (not to mention for uncontrollable singing along); better singles are few and far between. The band displays a punk sound for a few powerful songs before showing their skill at power balladry on the remarkably vulnerable "Your House." The true standout comes on "The Authority Song," not a John Mellencamp cover, but a power-pop masterstroke right out of the songbook of Big Star or the Flamin' Groovies.

After being dropped by Capitol, Jimmy Eat World returned in 2001 with their most consistent and accessible album to date. Recorded entirely on the band's dime, before they had a new record deal, Bleed American features compelling lyrics, driving guitar work, and insanely catchy melodies. Left to their own devices during the recording process, it wouldn't have been surprising if the band had turned out another layered, sprawling album akin to their previous full-length masterwork, Clarity. Perhaps sensing that they wouldn't be able to top their previous work when it came to spacy emo, Bleed American heads in a new direction. There are no 16-minute songs here, just straight-ahead rock & roll, performed with punk energy and alt-rock smarts. The title track sets the tone for the album with its blistering guitar attack and aggressive vocals. "A Praise Chorus" and "The Middle improve upon that formula, maintaining the forceful instrumentation but toying with the lyrical themes. "A Praise Chorus" uses the most basic of rock emotions for lyrical inspiration, "I wanna fall in love tonight," while lifting lyrics from Tommy James' "Crimson and Clover," They Might Be Giants' "Don't Let's Start," and Mötley Crüe's "Kick Start My Heart," among others. When used in a song about the comfort and trappings of nostalgia, this borrowing comes off more like a well-placed tribute than stealing. "The Middle" offers a pep talk about self-acceptance and fitting in, and one of the most memorable guitar riffs this side of Angus Young. Bleed American's quieter moments recall some of the band's signature instrumentation from their previous work. Gentle keyboards, bells, and stirring background vocals from former that dog. member Rachel Haden enhance the understated beauty of ballads like "Hear You Me" and "Cautioneers." Haden's most enjoyable contribution, however, is to the up-tempo rocker "The Authority Song." On the surface a song about a song (John Mellencamp's "Authority Song), it also name drops the Beatles' "What Goes On." The numerous references to other bands and other songs reveal that although Jimmy Eat World is a critically acclaimed and incredibly talented band, the members are really just rock fans themselves. If they maintain this level of quality, however, don't be surprised if the next generation of ambitious rockers start writing songs that pay tribute to Jimmy Eat World. [Bleed American was retitled in the wake of 9-11, more tastefully titled simply Jimmy Eat World.] ~ Mark Vanderhoff