The opening narration of the movie The Big Lebowski ends with noting that The Dude was “The man for his time and place.” In a similar vein, Jimmy Eat World’s 2004 album Futures was the album for my time and place back then, and I was comfortably not alone. It was a more mature sounding album for the band following the popular success of Bleed American, and a coming of age record playing in the background of first cars, first dates, and youthful mistakes. We came up with the pop success of the, “The Middle”, and “Sweetness”, we grew up with “Work” and “23.”

Before smart phones and the prevalence of social media, we would communicate through various instant messaging programs such as ICQ, MSN, or AIM on home computers at night. I don’t remember an album used more for morose, cryptic and overly emotional teenage away messages than the lyrics of this one. It wouldn’t be out of the ordinary to see a lyric status one week about the love of the person’s life, only to have a break up lyric from the same album the following week. Such is the fickle and formative life of the high school teenage wasteland, a misery best described on, “The World You Love”, “We’re only just as happy, as everyone else seems to think we are.”

Jimmy Eat World is far from averse to writing love songs, they’ve been doing that since they formed in 1993. As far as what was in the mainstream at the time, you could do a lot worse than “Work.” It really could be love at any age, but it hits you right in the youth, “All the best DJs are saving, their slowest song for last, when the dance is through it’s me and you, c’mon would it really be so bad?” The band have distanced themselves from the ‘emo’ label for their entire career, but that doesn’t mean they can’t kidnap your emotions and put them on a rollercoaster. “Can we take a ride? Get out of this place while we still have time.”

I saw Jimmy Eat World on an anniversary tour for this album back in 2014 with great company and the highlight was album capstone, “23.” It is arguable, but for me, “23” is the best song the band have ever made. It brings out all the best characteristics of the band to their fullest extent, the emphasis on guitar, relatable and passionate lyrics, and Jim Adkins’ affable voice. “You’ll sit alone forever, if you wait for the right time, what are you hoping for? I’m here, I’m now, I’m ready, holding on tight, don’t give away the end, one thing that stays mine.”

Futures is a journey for me because it was the album of a time and place back then, but it could be a great listen for anyone at any time. If, “Kill” is tied to a lost ancient love, I apologize for bringing the album up. If, “Night Drive” makes you remember fogging up the windows of your first back seat, I know you remember her name. If you went on to see the band seven times, you’d be me, and this album had a lot to do with it. Jimmy Eat World’s music activates flashbulb memories and emotions like nobody else in my record collection, and I know I’m not alone.