Live4MusiC

Jimmy Eat World have gone a bit soft recently.

That's not something I'm complaining about. In fact, 2007's "Chase This Light," the band's last full-length, is one of my favorite albums of that year. If Jim Adkins and crew were still as high-strung as they were when they released "Bleed American" - has it really been nine years? - I'd be a bit concerned.

"Invented," the latest entry in the rock quintet's catalogue, is enjoyable albeit more subdued than what you're used to hearing from Jimmy Eat World.

"Heart is Hard to Find," the album's first track, sets the mood for most of the record. Lyrics full of self-reflection and a bleakly optimistic outlook on the future dominate most of the band's music, and "Invented" remains consistent in this manner.

What differs this time around is that instead of delivering hard riffs and catchy choruses, Jimmy Eat World conveys these reflections with somber melodies.

They've grown up a bit and it shows.

"My Best Theory," the album's second track and first single, sounds more like the Jimmy Eat World we're used to. It evokes a mood highly reminiscent of 2005's "Futures." This quality makes it stand out against the rest of the album, which, admittedly, makes it my favorite track.

"Coffee and Cigarettes" and "Littlething" are two other tracks that really stand out, but the rest of the music on the disc just doesn't strike the right chords. The band's more laid-back sound may exhibit their growth as musicians, but it doesn't sound like Jimmy Eat World.

This is where it gets a little murky.

Those who were impressed by the more subdued "Chase This Light" will love "Invented." Hardcore Jimmy fans will also flock to this release, but those who have loosely followed the band's career may be left a bit disenchanted.

The album lacks a hard-hitter like "The Middle," "Futures," or "Here It Goes." Instead, it lays out a mellow path and doesn't stray far from it, "My Best Theory" being the only song on the disc that really got my head bouncing to the beat.

I'd definitely advise streaming a couple of the album's tracks before committing to it. Listen to "Heart Is Hard To Find," "Movielike" and "Littlething" to get a sense of what "Invented" is all about.

At the very least, download "My Best Theory." It's the one track that'll tide you over until the band inevitably releases a return-to-form album.

- Eder Campuzano