Search - Jump Little Children :: Between the Dim & The Dark

Dana L. (DanaDane) from REDMOND, WA
Reviewed on 9/29/2006...

Great album.

Evolution of a great indie-pop band

Ben Salk | Poughkeepsie, NY United States | 05/07/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Many complain that Between the Dim & The Dark is a step backwards from Vertigo for Jump. I see it as the next evolution of their sound. Each of Jump's albums is ENTIRELY different from the one that came before -- they were an Irish-influenced folk band on Licorice Tea, turned into a hard-rocking band on Magazine, and fleshed out their sound on Vertigo with soaring ballads and ambitious compositions. But the band has always had something of an identity conflict, with Matt Bivins' spoken-word artsy numbers, their attempts to really rock out (My Guitar, Not Today), and Jay's poetic little ditties. The thing about BTD&TD that may leave some fans shellshocked is that, really, none of the songs on the album fit into these types. This is the first album where Matt doesn't have a lead vocal song, they never really turn up the distortion on the guitars, and there are no purely acoustic/Jay solo songs in the vein of Close Your Eyes or Pigeon. What we get instead is sort of a synthesis of all these elements in every song. The result is a rounded, full album with some very explosive, full songs -- when it works, which it usually does. Incidentally, the first single, Young America, is probably the weakest track on the album. I was a little disappointed with Requiem also, but only because it was one of my favorite songs from this album when I heard them play it live but seems slightly plodding on the album. My main complaint about BTD&TD follows from this synthesis -- Jump has always been a band that thrives on exhibiting the strong personalities of its members. Jonny only seems to sing background vocals on a couple tracks, and his double bass lines are a lot less groovy and expressive. Ward has fewer cool cello parts and more standard-issue electronic guitar riffs. Matt, who always seems a little like the awkward fifth wheel when he's not singing, is mostly there to subtly flesh out the band's sound with some background accordian or piano/keyboard parts, though he is still essential to the band's signature sound. Evan did write Midnight, but as he's improved as a drummer (which he has noticeably) the drum tracks also seem to have become a little more typical. JLC increasingly seems to mean Jay's Little Children. This isn't all bad -- Jay Clifford is one of the best songwriters and vocalists around -- but I still miss the dynamics of their personalities that seemed a little more pronounced on earlier albums. Anyway, yes, this album is more "mainstream" sounding than their previous efforts, but I don't necessarily understand this as a complaint, or a step backwards for the band; Jump has never been an inaccessible or excessively artsy band. They're pretty straightforward -- a great, very talented pop/rock band with an interesting outlook and unusual instrumentation, but a pop/rock band nonetheless, and this album delivers hardcore as long as you keep your expectations realistic."

Best purchase in a long time.

erica h | bamberg, germany | 04/21/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's always exciting when I am counting down the days to an album release, wake up at 10 in the morning on my day off (release day, yesterday) to get a copy, and the album does not disappoint me. Jump's (aka "Jump, Little Children") Between the Dim and the Dark was one of those albums that actually exceeded my expectations. The promo sticker on the packaging dubbed the album one with the pop sense of Magazine but with the soaring melodies of Vertigo, and I would have to agree.Every song has a great hook that keeps you drawn into the music, and the lyrics range from poetic ("these words in my head/ pull like a team/ of wild horses/ side by side their heads to the red ground") to humorous ("I won't let you leave/ not with all my Django/ Emmy Lou and Steve"). Although the band has a very lush sound, guest musicians like violinist Amanda Kapousouz add richness to the melodies. It's very easy to listen to the album and get lost in the music, especially because all of these songs go together incredibly well. Anyway, I highly recommend this album. Jump is continuing to get better with every album they release, and I am already looking forward to what they will come out with next. I would also recommend that you purchase at least one copy - I've got the feeling that I will be wearing mine out pretty quickly."