Jimmy Eat World: Static Prevails [1996] — Album Review

Jim Adkins: Guitar, Vocals

Tom Linton: Guitar, Vocals

Rick Burch: Bass

Zach Lind: Drums
Produced by Mark Trombino and Wes Kidd

Tracklist:

1. Thinking, That's All – 2:51

2. Rockstar – 3:48

3. Claire – 3:39

4. Call It in the Air – 3:00

5. Seventeen – 3:33

6. Episode IV – 4:30

7. Digits – 7:28

8. Caveman – 4:34

9. World is Static – 3:55

10. In the Same Room – 4:58

11. Robot Factory – 3:58

12. Anderson Mesa – 5:16

13. 77 Satellites – 3:04

14. What Would I Say to You Now – 2:34

Total Runtime: 57:02

After (somehow) getting signed to Capitol Records after releasing their self-titled début in 1994, Jimmy Eat World changed their style up a bit and released Static Prevails in '96. It didn't do very well. Not because it's a bad album in any way, but because the world—escpecially the U.S.—was quite lukewarm for post-hardcore/alternative music in 1996 (Then JEW changed it up again for their final Capitol release, Clarity, in 1999, getting more of an emo vibe).
Static Prevails starts off with "Thinking, That's All", featuring both Adkins and Linton on vocals, and is that... is that Jim Adkins screaming? Like, screaming? That's... odd. I never realized that Jim could scream. He's really good at it too. The guitars sound great, and there are some really cool riffs in there. Next is "Rockstar", with mostly Linton on vocal duties. It's an okay song. Nothing to write home about, but probably the best song called "Rockstar".
"Call it in the Air" is a goddamn masterpiece. The lyrics, vocals, guitars, drums; everything's just perfect. I wish they'd play it at their shows more often. They never really play much from Static Prevails, besides maybe "Claire" a few times. "Claire" isn't a bad song though.
"Seventeen" is okay. "Episode IV" is also okay. "Digits" is better than the previous two songs, with its funny almost stop and then Adkins shouting "Pay attention" to wake you up. But, "Caveman" is a pretty average song, not really hitting any spots with me.
"World is Static" starts off with a cool riff, and has some of Adkins' coolest vocal work. "In the Same Room" is a softer song, and is also pretty good. "Robot Factory" destroys the silence, and Linton performs some of his best vocal work, and it offers some very cool sounding guitar work/effects. "Anderson Mesa" closes out the album, and it does a good job with its slow rhythm. "77 Satellites" and "What Would I Say to You Now" are included as bonus tracks on the 2007 re-release, which is pretty much the only CD you're going to come by, and they're both decent tracks. 
Overall, Static Prevails is a pretty good album, especially for its style when this isn't what Jimmy Eat World went on to do.

Thinking, That's All: 8/10

Rockstar: 6/10

Claire: 7/10

Call it in the Air: 10/10

Seventeen: 7/10

Episode IV: 6/10

Digits: 7/10

Caveman: 5/10

World is Static: 8/10

In the Same Room: 7/10

Robot Factory: 8/10

Anderson Mesa: 6/10

77 Satellites: 7/10

What Would I Say to You Now: 6/10

Subtotal: 98/140

Bonus Points:

N/A
Total: 98/140
Score: 7.0 Great

Genres: Post-hardcore, Alternative Rock, Punk

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