Jimmy Eat World/X Ambassadors

Emo rockers Jimmy Eat World are living proof that life does offer second chances. And third chances. The band initially signed to a major label in 1995, a mere two years after forming. The group was then dropped and decided to self-finance the recording of 2001’s Bleed American. A bidding war ensued and Dreamworks Records signed the group. Now, with the release of its new album, Damage, the band is on yet another label, a feat that’s made all the more remarkable by the fact that the music business has essentially imploded. Produced by hard rock guy Alain Johannes, the album is a pretty mellow affair (these guys are getting old). Still, it has a nice quotient of ballads (“Appreciation”) and mid-tempo rock tunes (“Lean”) and ultimately shows just how much band members have matured as songwriters. (Jeff Niesel)