Jimmy Eat World, Divers
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How can they revive you if you were never dead? That’s the crucial question for Arizona pop-rock band Jimmy Eat World, who released their ninth studio album, Integrity Blues, in October. With a good-sized chunk of the underground rock scene engaged in a revival of the classic emo sound, it’s reasonable to revisit Jimmy Eat World’s influence on said scene. After all, kids who grew up with the impeccable songs on Clarity (1999) and Static Prevails (1996) are at a prime music-making age now. But 2016’s Integrity Blues proves that Jimmy Eat World has plenty of its own story left to write, as frontman Jim Adkins spends 11 tracks expertly unfurling pillowy melodies over the band’s familiar, polished churn. Like fellow emo granddads Braid a couple years ago, it’s nice to have a terrific new Jimmy Eat World album in 2016. But unlike Braid, Jimmy Eat World never went anywhere. They’ve been doing this all along. BEN SALMON