Can You Still Feel the Butterflies?

There were a couple really good things I was going to write about today, one of which involving Ticketmaster severing their relationship with LiveNation (can we say, bankrupt?), and a couple other nuggets such as tour announcements, DMX's home search, etc etc etc, but all that came to a halt when I saw the following story on www.jimmyeatworld.com:

"it has been a while since i listened to the mixes of our new album. the verdict: still very proud of it and excited to get it OUT THERE. so...

tomorrow. tuesday, august 28th our first single "Big Casino" will be availible digitally. it will also be serviced to radio so don't be suprised to hear new jimmy eat world on the radio.
jim"

Yes, that is Jim himself (although not the namesake of the band, thats a long and nerdy story and the fact that I know it makes me a huge geek) I've been a big ball of nerves ever since the album release was pushed to October, so I was well overdue for this fix. I waited until 12AM east coast time and logged into my iTunes to download the first single from their forthcoming album "Chase This Light", "Big Casino" . I had heard them play the song at their most recent Arizona show, so I was familiar, but hearing it through my iTunes (over and over...and over) made it all the more real. It's hard to believe that a band as established as Jimmy would have to prove themselves anymore, but I feel like with every record they put out, there is a huge amount of doubt from either side of the spectrum: the super fans and the haphazard ones. I know several people who were disappointed with "Futures" , which is beyond me. Of course I see the cathartic necessity for an album like "Clarity", but is that how they will always be defined? Its an amazing record and there would be several bands who wouldn't exist now without it, but whos to say this new record won't do the same for a new generation?

People are so quick to be hip by not liking things, but my god, this single is just plain good. Does it sound like Clarity? Not really. Does it sound like Futures? I dunno, maybe. But I feel like a band, especially one as defined as Jimmy shouldn't have to prove anything to anyone, and can redefine themselves in whatever way they see fit. What was cathartic about Clairty in the 90s might not translate to Chase this Light in 2007, its all in how it speaks to you, and that goes for any band, not just Jimmy. If the first single is this good (typically the labels don't release the best best best song until a few months in to keep up momentum), then I can't wait to hear the rest of the record.

On a more personal level, I haven't been this excited about an album in a very long time. I get shifty and super excited and squealy just thinking about it, and I get extra nervous knowing I only get one peek at it. However, I'm thankful to still feel those feelings at all anymore when it comes to new music from old hats. If it isn't Jimmy Eat World for you, I hope there's something else that gets you this excited, too.

Song of the Day : Books Don't Make Good Covers - Alaska and Me