Less Than Jake

Greetings From Less Than Jake EP

Written by: PP on 02/08/2011 21:25:35

Few bands are as consistent as Less Than Jake in delivering as great and fun songs as they have over the course of their nineteen year career as a band. Although the band do have a single slip-up underneath their belts ("In With The Out Crowd" from 2006), the vast majority of their album arsenal can easily be ranked among the elite within their genre specialty: ska-punk. It has now been more than three years since the release of their previous full length, the excellent "GNV FLA", longest such break in between full lengths from the band, which I'm guessing has contributed to the decision (and the title) to release a refresher EP. "Greetings From Less Than Jake" acts as a reminder that the aging ska-punks are still among the best in the genre at what they do.

Throwing all originality and innovation out the window from the get go, the best way to describe the new Less Than Jake EP is to say it's more of the same. But when the same involves skanking to high-energy tunes that have a veeeeery upbeat and summery vibe to them, and instantly catchy and sticky vocal melodies, classic wooah-wooah moments, groovy saxophone melodies that complement the uptempo ska guitar beats nicely, their fans will welcome this record with open arms, just as they have done in the past. Listening to the EP opener "Can't Yell Any Louder" makes it difficult to argue against that case, given it's references to the band's classics "Losing Streak" and "Hello Rockview" while throwing a parallel to "GNV FLA" as well, especially when it comes out the gate impressing straight away with fast skacore and mega catchy vocals, and the band's signature trombone/saxophone combo.

Although "Goodbye Mr. Personality" is slower and more reminiscent of standard ska (that is, without the punk part), it throws more fuel onto the fire and continues the melodic ska guitars meet bouncy trumpets and a catchy chorus formula that LTJ have always been known for. "Harvey Wallbanger", then, returns the tempo to high energy levels and is yet another example why so many consider Less Than Jake to be one of the very best ska-punk bands around. It features a great balance between the slick trombone/saxophone lines, the melody-infested guitars and another great chorus, once again making this scribe question how anybody could NOT like music of this kind? It's just so summery, joyous, and most importantly, a fun listen from start to finish. At 14 minutes, however, the five track record goes by way faster than you'd want it to, leaving us wanting for more. Now where's that new full length, boys?

8

Download: Can't Yell Any Louder, Harvey Wallbanger
For the fans of: Reel Big Fish, Streetlight Manifesto, The Real Deal
Listen: Myspace

Release date 21.06.2011
Sleep it Off Records

Less Than Jake "Can't Yell Any Louder" by Reybee

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