Posted by alec on 2007-04-06 11:59:54
My Score:

Not my favourite Less Than Jake album, but I still love it. I listen to it loads on my way to work, these days.

But then, I have thouroughly sold out on every level, so maybe I am not as objective as I could be.

never thought there would come a day when i thought less than jake would make a shity album, i award them abosolutley no score

"Who ever gives this album a bad rating is an idiot."

Whoever gives this album a good rating really needs to get their hearing checked. Sold out? if you create your own record label, its all good to me. But thats not reason to START SUCKING HORRIBLY.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, June 9, 2006 at 9:47 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Who ever gives this album a bad rating is an idiot. People say "Oh, LTJ has sold out." Well don't get me wrong, they have, but they still create the same amazing music they always have. What is most amazing is they always seem to make every CD sound different and unique, like a new band made it. And trust me if anyone was in a band and had the chance to sell out, theyd do it. Why wouldnt you, I mean playing music you love and making money. What a great combination.

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, June 1, 2006 at 12:37 AM (EDT)
My Score:

My opinion still stands.

With love,

Johnny Quest

Posted by bobbett on 2006-05-30 11:05:16
My Score:

"You're talking to someone who thinks Ignorance Is Bliss is right up there with Face To Face and Big Choice, and if you don't get that reference, then I can't expect you to understand how awesome a pre-Anthem Less Than Jake was."

bingo!

"they told me to tell you to get out of 1992. Bands aren't going to sound like they started sounding like 15 years later dumbasses."

Hey. Illogical retards called. They want their line of thinking back.
The reason I haven't bought this yet isn't because it doesn't have a lot of horns, or because it doesn't sound like Pezcore (an album I find overrated). It's because it lacks the passion, energy and honesty that made Less Than Jake wonderful. I listened to the clips on iTunes of this album, and it sounded soulless. All of LTJ's previous albums could grab me entirely with 10 seconds of one song. Theirs was an urgency and emotional quality that was captivating. This one lacks that. It's not terrible, probably not even bad. There's just no reason I can see to listen to it above something else, and that is depressing. To those of you wondering why we care so much about this album being lackluster, it's because we wanted the same feeling that LTJ has always given us. That isn't here. You could even claim that Anthem had it, but this doesn't. It's not awful. No one is slamming them for progression. Borders And Boundaries was progression, and they got praised for it. If they put out an album of pop-rock that had grabbed me like the rest, I'd love it. You're talking to someone who thinks Ignorance Is Bliss is right up there with Face To Face and Big Choice, and if you don't get that reference, then I can't expect you to understand how awesome a pre-Anthem Less Than Jake was.

Here's my take on it - this is coming from a 15-year old, and my first taste of LTJ was the release of Borders and Boundaries back when I was maybe...11 years old. I liked it, so I looked into the rest of their music - Pezcore came next, and I liked it even more, as I was already a listener of 3rd wave ska. As of today I own just about every release LTJ has put out besides the shitload of old crap they put out before Pezcore.

You can't expect bands to stay the same. Same goes for LTJ. While most of us will miss the era of early LTJ, there's no use in complaining because we're not going to get the band to say "Well sure, some of our older fans don't like what we're doing so let's go back to playing Paramus-type-tunes".

Basically, Vinnie and co. are taking the band in a new direction. I enjoy many of the new songs, not a huge fan of the pop-punkish ones, you know which ones I mean, but hey if you don't like it don't listen. This album's still got stuff to offer.

The one complaint I do have is the growing lack of horns - i was raised on brass instruments. Many of these songs would be better with horns. The band has acknowledged this and I remember a quote that was something like "The horns are there when they are needed. If we put them in for each song they would become bland". This may be true for some songs, but a few tracks on this album just seem empty with three musicians.

All in all, I don't like the way the band is moving but there's no use in complaining about it. The music still appeals to me, I just prefer their older stuff a lot better. HOWEVER, if they keep going down this road to the extent that their next dozen songs all sound like Overrated, then I'll start to bitch. But until then, I'll stick with tracks like Don't Fall Asleep on the Subway. I do encourage new listeners to check out their old stuff though. Gotta love Downbeat.

hey 2006 called
they told me to tell you to get out of 1992. Bands aren't going to sound like they started sounding like 15 years later dumbasses.

Posted by pliskin on 2006-05-28 13:16:27
My Score:

yes i absolutly agree with u !
i think this record is a veryvery good one
ok its true that this record is different but IT ISNT BAD AT ALL

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, May 26, 2006 at 10:17 PM (EDT)
My Score:

i, for one, happen to quite enjoy this album. and this coming from someone whos favorite ltj album is pezcore. the thing i dont understand is why all the ltj fans dont accept this album because it isnt as ska-y as previous works. whether it is ska-y or not, it is still less than jake.
for those of you who dont realize it, everyone in the band, with the exception of jr, are either 30 or over 30. they cannot keep singing about getting drunk and teen angst forever. they have matured, and so has their music. sure, they are trying to appeal more to the mainstream, but wouldnt you, if you were in a band? although less than jake has one of the most loyal fanbases i have ever seen, they are by no strech of the imagination famous or rich. the fact is, ska and/or horns are not popular in the mainstream. am i the only one who has noticed that all of the bsides to this album have contained horns? (negative sides, we the uninspired, and trophy boys and girls)
"not selling out is noble, but its nice to eat."- anonymous
i think that this album shows a less than jake mid-transition from borders and boundaries. after losing streak, ltj transformed from their raw sounding beginnings to the more produced sounds we know today. i think this is similar. they are changing from a ska-punk band to a punk-pop band with horns, and i am not complaining. i am not one of you close-minded fools who wants to be locked into one genre and criticize anyone who deviates even slightly from the narrow confines of that genre.
face facts, less than jake is changing. i am not saying that you should like it, but at least try to not view it as a feeble attempt by a has-been band to put out a good record, because it is not.
and for the record, they only had people HELP them with THREE songs from the new album.

"That aside, I just don't get the ghostwriting thing. With all of the capabale songrwiters in that band, I have no idea why they would have chosen someone else's work over their own. I wouldn't have even understood that if the album was good."

I'd bet it's Warner trying to get their money's worth out of the band. This album is waaaay overproduced. Shame, some of the songs sound like they could be pretty good.

This album makes Anthem sound like Losing Streak and Pezcore.

WOW I have to go back and listen to Pezcore and Losing Streak to remind myself why LTJ was my favorite band from Warp tour 97 until this record dropped last week. Can I just point out these guys are in their early to mid 30's and singing about "designer drugs" and making videos in a shopping mall. I'm not hoping for another Pezcore LTJ has gotten older but they have to be able to put out better material than this. I haven't seen a band try to sell out this bad since the Suicide Machines 3rd album.

Posted by ltjmax on 2006-05-25 21:47:29
My Score:

First, it's not all the songs that have been wrote by someone else... it's only 4 songs that had benn CO-WRITTEN with Less Than Jake. So they did wrote them, they just used hel for 4 songs...
Second, this record is not my favorite, i do like it but I still hope Less Than Jake will come back with some "real less than jake", but you really have to give it a couple of listens to be able to respect it. I'm 20 years old by now, I grew up with this band and all the other good old bands, I miss that time where all the bands i was listening to where good....but eh, that's life!
here's a quick thought of the album:

- On one side, it's a good album, deep in emotions (not in the emo way), doesn't sound like a copy of some other stuff, each song has it own secret thing (and p.s. shock the world is just wow!!)...etc, etc.

- On the other side, i'm kind of nostalgic, i don't really recognize less than jake in this record, it's kinda like a new band and the album doesn't have all the energy that the other records before had (Yes, Anthem was really more energetic than this.) Oh, and the booklet is not that cool...reading the lyrics give you a headache and there's no "thanks" section from less than jake (it may be stupid but i always like to read the thanks when i get a new cd, seeing wich other bands count for them, etc.)

So well... i'm still respecting a lot this album, i really like it and i'll take the 18 days challenge to be able to give it a good review.
And just another thing, listen to all the records in the order of their release. LTJ collection is just a perfect "copy" of life evolution. You see the young kids in pezcore, the adolescents in losing streak/hello rockview, the young adults in borders & boundaries, and finally the mature adults int In With the Out Crowd...

"Wait, there are people that like this album?"
http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=138273

Posted by chipsahoycookie on 2006-05-25 16:21:37
My Score:

hey vinnie,

for 5 bucks per album, i'll write the songs for you. the albums will only take 5 minutes if this album is your standards. please let me know, i have experience in showbiz.

chipsahoycookie@gmail.com

thank you,
chunky

I really wish I didn't know that ghostwriter thing. Christ. WTF? I always held LTJ to a higher regard than that.

Paul

"My roots of punk rock are being ruined. First, Antiflag started making shitty music, now Less Than Jake. Millencolins starting to head down that road too. I can only pray that the new Bouncing Souls doesnt suck."

You might hate it if you think the newest Anti-Flag and Millencolin CDs are bad when they're not.

Wow. So alot of the record isn't even written by them? That seems to explain alot. This new one is just really alienating to me as a fan of all their previous material. Here's hoping for a B-side record that IS written by them. (I must admit I've really been digging The Rest of My Life lately though.)

My roots of punk rock are being ruined. First, Antiflag started making shitty music, now Less Than Jake. Millencolins starting to head down that road too. I can only pray that the new Bouncing Souls doesnt suck.

i havent heard this album, but ive heard alot of talka bout this being terrible, them not writing their own songs, and they dont even play ska anymore, just really bad pop-punk.and im suppossed to be seeing them at warped, so i hope they play theiroldstuff. but,warped is usually to promote new albums. FUCK. this is just like AFI. new album blows, and i have to putup with it at warped. hopefully their old stuff too.

everything is overrated sounds like some really bad high school fall out boy rip off.

wow. they don't even write their own songs anymore. their last few records were bad but i still had a certain amount of respect for them. this is just insulting.

Man, I am so glad I didn't buy this yesterday, the more I think about it. I normally don't download, but I think I will download this, because I don't want to support LTJ-using-ghostwriters with my money.

/I'll probably be too lazy to download it, and just buy it used someday.

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, May 25, 2006 at 11:38 AM (EDT)
My Score:

i didn't buy it so i am unaware that they didn't write a lot of the songs on there. thanks for pointing that out. that's really pathetic.

Posted by kill_fftl on 2006-05-25 10:15:23
My Score:

eh

Posted by cantsitstill on 2006-05-25 10:10:49
My Score:

holy shit, i didn't even notice the songwriter credits. what the fuck?! i can write a better album than this! why the hell do they need songwriters? grrrrrr! i'm listening to this again and it's just HORRIBLE. the songwriter credits force me to demote this to 1 star. i don't want to say "fuck LTJ" because "Pezcore" was one of the albums that i credit to steering me to underground punk. granted i first heard it 12 or so years ago, and all bands evolve, but this is just intolerable. ok, enough ranting. i'm going to light this cd on fire tonight after i get off work.

That blows goats. What happened to this band? Why would they decide to use ghostwriters now? I thought they made it obvious with their move to Fat for B&B that they don't care about being on a major that much.

I'm surprised that there haven't been more people talking about how LTJ didn't write all the songs on this album. When I first heard it, I thought it was BS, but check the liner notes - it is true.

Frist off, Mark Hoppus from Blink wrote 'The Rest Of My Life'. Although I find that odd, it doesn't really bother me that much. If you listen back to that song it almost seems like something that could fit on a 'mature' Blink record...

What really freaks me out are the others who wrote songs. Overrated was written by Holly Knight - a professional 'hitmaker'. She has written a bunch of stuff for Tina Turner, and also Pat Benetar and Areosmith. See:
http://www.hollyknight.com/sound.html

She wasn't the only hired gun. 'Hopeless Case' and 'Soundtrack of our Lives' were written by Shelly Peiken - the secret weapon behind a number of Christina Agularias (sp) hits. http://www.bmi.com/news/200309/20030915b.asp

I agree that this isn't a good LTJ album, but I also don't think it is a bad as some of you guys are making it out to be. That aside, I just don't get the ghostwriting thing. With all of the capabale songrwiters in that band, I have no idea why they would have chosen someone else's work over their own. I wouldn't have even understood that if the album was good.

Thoughts?

Posted by dumhed01 on 2006-05-25 05:41:46
My Score:

I love all Less Than Jake..
And even though this is poppier than a pepsi factory..
I still enjoy it..
I do wish it was better though..
Roger sounds bad on this album..
Hopefully their next album is better if they make one..

the worst less than jake album by quite some way. It just seems boring and dull, something less than jake albums have never been.

still, they have plenty of old material for me to get my ltj fix

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, May 25, 2006 at 4:53 AM (EDT)
My Score:

Since I've only been listening to Less Than Jake since 2000 I view them more as a pop punk band than a ska/punk band. So this album is really not a surprise for a natural sellout progression of most pop punk bands when they go to a major label. I'm actually surprised Anthem didn't sound like this........you gotta give them credit for not going straight to the exaggerated radio friendly stuff right away............although I'm sure a lot of you think they've been playing radio friendly stuff ever since Hello Rockview.

Wow...this actually sounds like a Less Than Jake album that I might not enjoy.

Wow...I never thought I'd say that about any Less Than Jake record.

the album is as good as the individual feels. with that being said, i love it. so fuck all you cynical dipshits

http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=138273

I really just don't understand anymore.

I used to be with it, but then they changed what "it" was. Now what I'm with isn't it, and what's it seems weird and scary to me.

-Grampa Simpson

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, May 25, 2006 at 1:03 AM (EDT)
My Score:

alright... I like it

It's nowhere near as good as anything they have released before, the lyrics are substandard, and the lack of horns is terrible.

but it's a fun, catchy album that will be good for the summer

Absolutepunk.net says this is the hardest since Hello Rockview! And has the most horns!

WOO

ill wait for B is for B sides volume 2

That should read "your diction." The ironing is delicious.

I'm 24. I've been into Less Than Jake for about 8 years. And, I'm sorry, you may know everything about this band, but anyone who has been into them since before Borders And Boundaries came out could not say, "hello rockview is an amazing album and i dont see this one any different" without being deaf. Also, the comment about English class was because you diction, syntax, punctuation and grammar is pathetic. I'm not trying to Internet joust here. Learn to write properly, or no one will ever take you seriously.

Posted by chipsahoycookie on 2006-05-24 20:36:38
My Score:

in fairness, here's a breakdown of why i hate this fuckin album:

#1-boring overproduced drive thru sounding garbage. very uninspired.
#2-pretty decent ska/rock song
#3-overproduced, radio pop garbage. very hypocritical and empty.
#4-either i smell coheed or someone farted
#5-potentially good song but ruined by overproduction. song needs rawness in vocals.
#6-eh, it's alright. poppy but not too bad.
#7-swing....MISS!
#8-green day ballad. gotta get on trl with something.
#9-starts off great then goes to cheesy cliche chorus that kills it.
#10-too rushed. ok song but could have been much better. this was the song to keep olds fans happy last minute.
#11-i'm only 23. not ready for vh1 adult contemporary yet..
#12-good fuckin tune but comes too late and nothing can save this album.

to the people accusing critics of this cd of not embracing change:

some people here may be against ANY change - even if the new music sounds really good.
but i think most of us embrace change as long as it is progressive and retains credibility.

in my opinion, Anthem was a fantastic album. the album was a whole lot less ska, but with the exception of 'She's Gonna Break Soon' the songs were really really good.
listen to Escape From the A-Bomb House or Thats Why They Call It A Union.
then listen to this new album. yep, they changed alright. but it was NOT for the better.

i havent completely given up on this band yet. my hope is that they'll get dropped from this label, sign to SideOne and release one or two more respectable albums before calling it quits.

Posted by dazed on 2006-05-24 19:32:49
My Score:

"i agree with the guy below this. its not the album that blows, its the people who are against anything that's just plain good"

Score is for your circular logic and generalized flaming. "I like it cause it's good! It's good cause I like it! I like it cause it's good! It's good cause I like it! I like it cause it's good! It's good cause I like it! I like it cause it's good! It's good cause I like it! I like it cause it's good! It's good cause I like it! Stop hatin'! Waaaahhhh!"

Perhaps you could say why you like it, or give some particular song or lyric you thought was particularly good? Otherwise it just looks like ...and out come the fanboys. Sayin'

Scruffy is one of the most consistently insightful and well liked members of the punknews community. You are a misguided fool who had his feelings hurt because the mean man said bad things about your favorite band, so you take it out on other people.

i am not going to argue with you over the internet and i do not have to prove my age or my knowledge of this band. you are just some pissed off guy who uses sad attempts to knock someone down. i may not have good comebacks but at least im not the one using stereotypes of 'younger kids getting into music when it hits tv' to get back at someone..

"Hey. I'm fifteen, and I got into Less Than Jake last year because She's Gonna Break Soon was on Fuse, and also a sampler I got at a Punchline show."

and you very well could be the person you're describing here. and using it as a cover to cry about someone else who uses their own mind. so basically, shut the fuck up and stop being so ignorant.

A review is not bad if it disagrees with your opinion. It is bad if it is written poorly (Absolute Punk), slights the band based on preexisting prejudices (Buddyhead), or doesn't talk about the CD (Pitchfork). You may wholeheartedly disagree with this review, but it's pretty well written.

I haven't heard most of this, so I have no opinion.

And to the retard trying to pick a fight with me that doesn't understand how the English language works:
I said I didn't understand your previous comment, because you tried to say that what I said about you applied to me. If that were true, I wouldn't have used it as an insult to you. Therefore, I don't see what you were trying to say, other than a crude form of "Nuhuh, you are!", accompanied by a drastic inability to comprehend the words that you type. Let me know if I need to define any of the words I used here, as there are a few longer than two syllables.

"Maybe I'm just getting old and jaded, but this was Less Than Jake's second chance and they blew it."

yeah.. its definately the fact that you're getting old and jaded

i agree with the guy below this. its not the album that blows, its the people who are against anything that's just plain good

so, I am listening to the album right now and I can't find anything wrong with it.
I honestly don't know why I read these fucking reviews on here. As a journalist, I think this is the worlds WORST review. Because the reviewer found a song or two that they didn't like, that must mean it sucks to them. welllll I think it's quite good

my opinion maybe my own, but it sure beats this lame review.

As a diehard defender of LTJ (yes, even Anthem), fuck this cd.

Go listen to Scott Farcas, then listen to Landmines and Landslides.

no, I don't think he's stupid, but I do think your replies have been pretty stupid, you would have been better off just telling him to fuck off. My retarded cousin could come back better than you. Were you dropped on the head as a baby? Was your mother smoking crack while she breast feed you? Did someone shove their cock in your ear resulting in brain damage? I bet you shove a finger in your anus when you masturbate so you can smell it and lick it like a dog licks it's own penis. Have you ever been touched by a priest? I wonder how often in life you will be ass raped because of your inability to make a good come back to someones witty comments. You suck at life and should really consider if it's worth going forward, or just ending it all. By the way, I bet you're hot and want my sausage.

HAHA are you really that stupid you dont get it?

"thats funny because i bet its your own story"

How does that make any sense whatsoever? Seriously?

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 5:29 PM (EDT)
My Score:

"Hey. I'm fifteen, and I got into Less Than Jake last year because She's Gonna Break Soon was on Fuse, and also a sampler I got at a Punchline show. Everything they've put out sounds cool, and I love their new sound especially because it's what got me into them. You people suck because you think your opinion is right. Well, you're wrong. My opinion is right. They've always impressed me...for the past year. Also, I skip out on English class a lot."

thats funny because i bet its your own story

i like this album but its definately nowhere near as good as hello rockview

a shame, really

Scruffy, I think I love you.

"hahaha most of you make me laugh. some of u have this attitude that if u dont like something, it must be oh so horrible. well fuck you. everyone has an opinion. less than jakes music is a big part of my life. this album just like the rest kicks ass. hello rockview is an amazing album and i dont see this one any different.. they always impress me"

Man, I had a hard time reading this, so I put it into Babelfish, and this is what came out*:

"Hey. I'm fifteen, and I got into Less Than Jake last year because She's Gonna Break Soon was on Fuse, and also a sampler I got at a Punchline show. Everything they've put out sounds cool, and I love their new sound especially because it's what got me into them. You people suck because you think your opinion is right. Well, you're wrong. My opinion is right. They've always impressed me...for the past year. Also, I skip out on English class a lot."

*Not really!

if they are such a big part of you life, I'm sorry, your life must really realy suck.

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 4:44 PM (EDT)
My Score:

hahaha most of you make me laugh. some of u have this attitude that if u dont like something, it must be oh so horrible. well fuck you. everyone has an opinion. less than jakes music is a big part of my life. this album just like the rest kicks ass. hello rockview is an amazing album and i dont see this one any different.. they always impress me

LTJ sucks big balls, they have never been good and it surprises me why majors would want them for reasons other than gang raping them. I love jewcock.

every LTJ hater can fucking die

Posted by i-type-poorly on 2006-05-24 16:11:41
My Score:

Haven't we all said the n word before?

is it true that Vinnie's a closet racist? Someone said they heard him say he "n" word once

Posted by someone-yeah on 2006-05-24 16:00:54
My Score:

At least I still have Rehasher.

LTJ sucks, they always have and anyone who considers them a ska band needs to get raped by an inverted parking cone

also cocks

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 3:38 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Well... I suppose I kinda like 5 out of the 12 songs. And yes it's alot better going in knowing what to expect. But damn it. I can't help but want the old LTJ back.

http://punknews.org/article/14721

What happend to them doing this humiliation thing?

Wow, almost nobody likes this.

It's pretty sad although I'll be the first to admit even if they were putting out albums as good as "Losing Streak" I still might not be particularly interested. Still, this was an important band to me growing up and getting into music and it's kind of sad to see them making bad pop albums and not even making the money/fans of other bad pop bands.

"hmm, I wonder what Johnny Quest thinks of this band"

i think johnny was fucking right.

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 1:38 PM (EDT)
My Score:

what's so great about it? give me a good, in depth answer, not some fanboy shit.

You guys are tripping! This album isn't nearly as bad as you make it out to be. The songs are solid. If LTJ released this on FBR or Fat you guys would be busting a nut over it. Guarantee that when you see them on the Warped Tour this summer you'll be going off to the new songs.

So sad...They went from ska legends to...Pop music. Its depressing.

fuck you vinnie

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 11:25 AM (EDT)
My Score:

I love this album! PS Shock the world is amazing.

This is probably going to be my new favorite less than jake cd. seeming i like the new stuff better than the old because i've been jamin' losing streak and hellorockview so many years that its losing its prime.

I find it incredibly laughable that you twerps were disappointed by this shitty record. WHAT DID YOU EXPECT??
Shitty bands make shitty records.

where the hell do they find these people that review.. they suck total dick at it

ltj kicks ass

"How do you go from blueline medic"

Thank you. I rarely ever hear anyone mention the amazing music Blueline Medic made, before they released that piece of crap, Text Bomb.

How come no one ever talks about "Pezzcore"??????? That could be their best album in my opinion. "Liquor Store"...great fucking tune.

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 6:34 AM (EDT)
My Score:

R.I.P Less Than Jake. now i must reminisce and listen to hello rockview becuase LTJ will NEVER be the same again. Such a dissapointment but the dierection music is going at the moment this was expected.

"A Still Life Franchise" and "Fall Apart" are worth listening to. Not sure about the rest yet. I still think "Negative Sides of Optimistic Eyes" was better than anything from the full-length.

In terms of the most mainstream commercial pop-punk, this actually isn't better than Simple Plan, etc.

And if you're going to talk about Good Charlotte, Simple Plan, etc. then a scale of relativity would dictate that a band like NFG is like The Cramps or fucking X Ray Specs.

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 3:25 AM (EDT)
My Score:

This album isn't that bad. You knew it was going to be super poppy with very little ska so why even get your hopes up? There's some pretty darn catchy material on here and I at least gotta give them credit for not going the route Goldfinger went. Goldfinger's newest album was poppy but it wasn't even catchy..........and that's the recipe for disaster.

You gotta admit as far as pop punk is concerned this is still much better than 90% of that other crap out there today(All American Rejects, Simple Plan, NFG, etc etc etc......)

I still can't believe how exaggerated the song "Overrated" is though. That song is the prototype for the words "sellout" "major label" "radio friendly" etc..

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 2:17 AM (EDT)
My Score:

its odd that the Fueled by Ramen rosters gotten worse too.

How do you go from blueline medic, whippersnapper, roy, AND FUCKING Frodus to gym class heroes and panic at the disco?

Its like a bait and switch. They had a great diverse label, and now its baby t's and bonus ringtones.

Ringtones?

wyzo

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 1:28 AM (EDT)
My Score:

First of all, I didn't like the so called "teaser EP" of theirs. However I was thinking the benefit of the doubt and maybe there would be some pretty good tunes and one MTV/radio hit single like Anthem was. Boy I was wrong. LTJ, I know you want to get some new fans but what about your old ones?

I agree with Adam and always pictured this band touring non-stop with bands from the biggest indies out there (FAT, Nitro, Epitaph, Sideonedummy) but I guess not. It's not too late for the "SideOneDummy" cure, but how long would we wait for that to occur?

Ramo

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 1:19 AM (EDT)
My Score:

score to the guy below me.......fuckin well said!

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 1:01 AM (EDT)
My Score:

When they were in Australia last December they announced during the show that after this album, they were breaking up. At the time, I was really really fucking upset to hear it. Like many of you, LTJ was my "gateway" band into getting into the awesome punk and hardcore I listen to today, it was a damn shame to hear of them breaking up in the near future...

...

...And then I heard this album. Good fucking riddance. Had they have left it at B is for B-Sides and then called it quits, at least they would be fondly remembered. After this piece of shit, they're just going to be remembered as those washed-up fuckwits, whose last album was an over-produced, radio-friendly piece of dogshit. Quit while you're ahead guys. This album should never have been made. Your legacy is forever tainted. Fuck off.

"so do Buddy and JR get paid as much as the other guys do, considering they don't shit anymore?"

most hilarious typo ever

"A lot of those comments you were referring to were about Borders And Boundaries, hence the "&" between the two B's. And Borders And Boundaries is very much a real album."

Ah okay, I got the two confused. However, some people here are referring to B Is For B-Sides as if its not just an outtakes album.

The new songs sound much better live.

so do Buddy and JR get paid as much as the other guys do, considering they don't shit anymore?

i feel bad for them, honestly.
although i guess their job is easier now.

The new Johnny Cash leaked?

I want it.

Whoever has it should hook me up. My AIM is in my profile.

Mighty Mighty Bosstones would slay this band if they came out with a new cd, jackknife to a swan owned.

"What I find funny is a lot of you guys are talking about B is for B-Sides like it was a "real" album. "I had hopes for B B because it was off of Capitol"... (first of all, LTJ has been on Reprise, not Capitol, and LTJ's two best records IMO were released on Capitol so there goes that theory)... B&B was a B-SIDES AND OUTTAKES record, as in outtakes from Anthem. Those were the songs they recorded that didn't make it to Anthem. So technically I don't think it should be counted as an actual LTJ album. It's a collection of songs, much like Losers, Kings and Things We Don't Understand."

A lot of those comments you were referring to were about Borders And Boundaries, hence the "&" between the two B's. And Borders And Boundaries is very much a real album.

definitely not that bad.

over produced? yes. but not terrible

This is the first album that ever made me want to cry

Posted by i-type-poorly on 2006-05-23 20:05:25
My Score:

Buddy and JR: Hey guys... what about us?

Vinne: What? You're not enjoying your roles as headbangers?

Buddy: Well JR is good at it, but...

Chris: Man.. just grow some hair.

JR: Well... can we at least play our instruments a little bit?

Roger: Ok.. but only just a few notes... and keep it quiet, dammit!...

RIP LTJ

Posted by almightydanish on 2006-05-23 19:44:08
My Score:

I listened to Losing Streak today as a sort of Eulogy. This band is dead to me.

Posted by MichaelJayMarfans on 2006-05-23 19:43:13
My Score:

I didn't like Anthem at all....and this...is pretty awful. I still like the old albums, this is seriously shit.

"Wait, there are people that like this album?"

That's what I was thinking.

This is truly terrible. If these guys have any integrity whatsoever, they're incredibly ashamed of this. Especially the song "Overrated." Not just writing it, but releasing it as a single.

Yeah, but B For B-Sides was better than this or Anthem.

What I find funny is a lot of you guys are talking about B is for B-Sides like it was a "real" album. "I had hopes for B B because it was off of Capitol"... (first of all, LTJ has been on Reprise, not Capitol, and LTJ's two best records IMO were released on Capitol so there goes that theory)... B&B was a B-SIDES AND OUTTAKES record, as in outtakes from Anthem. Those were the songs they recorded that didn't make it to Anthem. So technically I don't think it should be counted as an actual LTJ album. It's a collection of songs, much like Losers, Kings and Things We Don't Understand.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at 6:17 PM (EDT)
My Score:

hmm, I wonder what Johnny Quest thinks of this band.

this will proably be my first ltj album i don't buy either. losing streak and rockview are my favs. i am just not diggin this band anymore. you would hope all this negative feedback would inspire them to be great again, proably wishful thinking.

Wait, there are people that like this album?

I just listened to this again and I think I get it:
Less Than Jake has 3 groups of fans, which is usually decided by age and what album came out for that age.
1)There's the "Pezcore" LTJ fans, like myself, who dislike most everything after "Losing Streak" or "Hello Rockview".
2)There's the "Borders and Boundaries" LTJ fans, who tolerate but seemingly stop around "B for B" or "Anthem".
3)Then there's the people who like this album.

This is sad.
Like most of you, I loved Losing Streak, and Hello Rockview is still one of my all time favorite records. I respect the hell out of Vinnie and his songwriting. I too, was on the verge of being a total LTJ vinyl collector nerd (still have some cool stuff though, actually).

But, B B is where they started going down hill, I was totally disappointed by that one, and it's just gotten worse and worse. I didn't get anthem and I won't be getting this.

Its a real shame.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at 5:05 PM (EDT)
My Score:

A bit of a let down, but I still enjoy the album. It has some of their best work ever (i.e. PS Shock The World)

I still think Anthem is their best work.

i don't get the bitching about the lack of horns on the new songs. its been a long time since i've really listened to less than jake but i don't seem to remember them using horns on every song going back to the first couple of 7"s and through the first few albums. they went a little heavier on the horns in losing streak but i don't remember hello rockview or borders being overly horn heavy

It's a fun album

don't care about money? ask jessica (old horn player) and vinnie why they remixed pezcore. hmm.....her horns are gone on the new pezcore

really? that's crazy! makes me kinda want to listen to it.
and i stopped at losing streak b/c i thought HR and B&B sucked. but that's just me.

Posted by guitarer1c2 on 2006-05-23 15:50:39
My Score:

I have been a huge Less Than Jake fan since 9th grade -- and that's a long time -- but this is just too much. Did anyone else read Vinnie's comments about this record? The "blood, sweat, and tears" they put into it and whatnot?

You've got to be fucking kidding me. If they put their blood, sweat, and tears into this record, they should just hang it up now and go home. It breaks my heart to go back to Hello Rockview and to hear what they used to sound like. The songs were fast, catchy, and they actually had feeling in them.

Whoever it was who called Buddy and JR "guest musicians" is dead on. What kind of band has two of its members play on way less than half of an album's tracks?

Posted by almostpunkenough on 2006-05-23 15:33:40
My Score:

i don't see what the issue here is. it's happy, cheesy pop-rock.

Posted by ElVaquero on 2006-05-23 15:27:07
My Score:

Wow, I think you rated this way too highly. This record is literally painful to listen to.

"If they would have done the opposite, all you haters would be complaining that they play the same type of songs, album to album. "

Someone makes this comment every time people complain that a band went in a crappy direction. you do realize that staying stagnant and growing in a horrid direction are not the only ways a band can go, right? They could change FOR THE BETTER. People aren't mad that they changed. They're mad that the change sucks. None of LTJ's early releases sound the same, and they're all great. Recently, their output has been lackluster.

"can i shit in my fist and have warner brothers market that too?'
Maybe in your hand, but you'd have a hard time crapping into a fist.

don't care about money? ask jessica (old horn player) and vinnie why they remixed pezcore. hmm.....her horns are gone on the new pezcore.

They say in the DVD that comes with, that they wrote songs that couldn't go on any other album. I think they did an amazing job of this. If they would have done the opposite, all you haters would be complaining that they play the same type of songs, album to album. Judging by how Less Than Jake gets no radio time and sells out all of their shows, i'm thinking they know what they are doing. This album will be cheap cause that's how Less Than Jake roles so pick it up despite what the reviewer wrote. If anything, it's nice to have a band around who cares about fans and not just money...

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at 2:53 PM (EDT)
My Score:

can i shit in my fist and have warner brothers market that too?

yea i'll second the cover art comment. wtf? some emo fag sweater wearing all american reject lookalike? its like, dudes, you're all in your 30's and the majority of your fanbase is mid 20's at this point, and probably is not rocking the 14-21 year old beatles emo haircut, girl jeans and 'someone please refill my latte' sweater. its a coooosby sweata!

i mean i still give the album a 7/10. its decent enough, but I thought 'anthem' and 'bsides' were a lot better. if they would have made that a double album, it may have been my fav ltj release.

Paul

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at 2:49 PM (EDT)
My Score:

I too am kinda disapointed. on one hand, I never thought LTJ would still be putting out records in 2006. for a 6th album 10 years down the road from losing streak, this is pretty good, and at times, shows growth.

what I like:
1.still life franchise: a mix of old school ltj ska, slowed down, with a mature touch. I like a lot. arguably the best song on the album.
2.independence day. very catchy, and has the energy of the ltj of old. no ska, no horns, but very good.
3.rest of my life. at first I hated it. now, its the one song htat shows true growth to me. its heartfelt, its unlike anything they've done before. chris's vocal performance is stellar.
4.let her go. old school ltj done well. the plastic cup politics of this album.
5.ps. shock the world. great 'epic' ltj closer, along the lines of still life franchise in that it mix's old with new.

what I don't like
1.most slick and overproduced effort to date. makes 'anthem' sound raw.
2. lacks energy due to production. even 'anthem' seemed to capture their live energy moreso than this release.
3. even less ska than anthem. i swear a few years ago in interviews the band said this release would be more ska. theres horns in 5 of the 12 tracks. only 3 of the 5 can be construed as ska songs. the horn players are more or less guest musicians. anthem, for the record, had horns on half the tracks.
4.that track 11 song is so fucking bad. Tracks 3,4,6 and 7 are all pop punk filler that lack the punch LTJ had on similar type songs in the past (like tracks 5 and 7 on anthem).

Overall anthem was a better effort, and I’m kinda bummed it took them 3 years to come out with…this. Its not bad but…yea. I’m sure live the songs are all better and take on a new life.

Paul

Aside from the music being bad, the cover art blows as well. Totally out of character...

Is there an unreleased iTunes song by chance? If there is, how is it? Those usually turn out to be pretty decent...

"I thought B&B was amazing. The album paired their songwriting with a depth of lyricism that they had been trying to reach all along. It was awesome."

I agree. I'm glad I'm not the only person in the world who thinks this.

Oh, and "Hopeless Case" is pretty terrible too.

Posted by henrikmain on 2006-05-23 13:46:04
My Score:

I actually like this a lot, and I'm not afraid to admit it. Fun music with a lot of catchy choruses. Sure, this isn't at all similar to their old ska stuff, but it's still a fine record, save for "Rest Of My Life" and "Landmines".

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at 1:33 PM (EDT)
My Score:

nooooooo, don't do it man!

I'm going out to get this in a few, I'm petrified.

Posted by coffinfullofnails on 2006-05-23 12:14:59
My Score:

this is just depressing this band is one of my all time favorites and now they do this. this is just as depressing as crimson.

"From what I've read and what I've heard, this wil be the first LTJ album I don't purchase. "

Ditto. That seriously depresses me too, since LTJ was one of the bands that got me into punk rock and ska. There was a time not long ago when I was on the verge of becoming one of those full fledged LTJ vinyl collector nerds, but this record is just the nail in the coffin. I'll just repost a revised "Adam/LTJ impression" that I posted while we were discussing the EP, as it sums up my thoughts:

Now, this was one of my favourite bands growing up, and hell, I managed to shove my "old school fan bias" to defend Anthem with a very fair review on Punknews. Here's why the their current sound has lost me...

The band had their major label years, they had the push of being a trendy act at the height of a trendy sound, and they managed to gain a lot of fans in the process. After Capitol the band seemed to be reconnecting with the "scene" in that they signed to Fat, Vinny's Fueled By Ramen was putting out interesting records and the band was touring with other bands of their general age/fanbase from the independent punk scene. By all accounts they should have continued along that line and settled into their elder years with that "respected indie reinvention" that the Suicide Machines or Bosstones managed.

Yet instead they're back on a major label and going through the same auto-tuner gauntlet as bands far younger that don't know any better. It's like a mid-life crisis move. They're trying to re-connect with the same age group of kids they connected with in 1996, while those of us who were actually around in 1996 are left scratching our heads. To us, this band should be on a big indie label like Fat or Epitaph or even FBR, touring with bands like the Bouncing Souls or NOFX, and releasing records free of mainstream sugar coating. I'll always respect Vinny as a songwriter, but the whole career trajectory they're on seems awkward and unnatural to me.

-adam"

yes adam. yes. did you not post this same comment in different words on the 'absolution' review? and did i not agree with you then? and am i not talking like I watched gladiator? i did last night.

paul

Posted by mattp330 on 2006-05-23 12:06:39
My Score:

this albums tough. i thought even anthem had its moments and i loved B&B. i find no silver lining in this album though. none of the songs really leave a lasting impression. even P.S. and Still Life seem almost forced to me. weird

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at 12:00 PM (EDT)
My Score:

score is for the new Johnny Cash CD , killer-oldpunker-

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at 11:53 AM (EDT)
My Score:

I'm gonna go ahead and agree. I've never been a huge LTJ fan but certainly liked them enough, and their live show is great. Escape From the Bomb House is my all time favorite LTJ song so I was hoping they still had some good left..

"Hold on. So you're saying that if you expect an album to be crappy and it turns out to be crappy it is no longer that bad because you anticipated it's badness?"

No. But this is not a bad pop record, in my opinion. When I go into it expecting a pop record and not a ska record, it's much easier for me to respect it as such.

also, when i heard that song "landmines and landslides" did anybody else hear a falloutboy influence? that's what sent me waay over the edge.

Posted by mcgregor107 on 2006-05-23 10:56:52
My Score:

come on, you have to buy it! now listening... that's a different story.
even though this is my fav. band by far and has been for over 7 years (hell i even have a LTJ tattoo!), i just think we should all say: fuck you vinnie. FUCK YOU!! The more and more i listen to this, i seriously want to gag.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at 10:47 AM (EDT)
My Score:

Can we get a new Toys That Kill review? The new album is sweet.

You stopped after Losing Streak? Go out right now and buy Hello Rockview and Borders And Boundaries. Seriously.

Posted by cantsitstill on 2006-05-23 10:18:33
My Score:

yawn... glad i stopped after "Losing Streak".
this is shite.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at 10:17 AM (EDT)
My Score:

Seriously, this band meant a lot to me when I was a lot younger through now and held a special place in my heart but after listening to this album I can't help but think I won't be generating any new fond memories of the band. Being 22 I spent some impressionable years listening to these guys. Heartbreaking. I wonder if the band will pick up on this negativity or if they think they're doing well with this because of their myspace fanboys.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at 9:53 AM (EDT)
My Score:

"i agree with everything that was said in the review. boring, overproduced, and lifeless"

i agree with both of you

"I think that was the case for alot of us. I had high hopes for B&B because they were off of capitol. I figured they'd develop a less poppy sound being on fat, they've been getting poppier ever since!"

You do know that B&B was recorded while they were on Capitol with Capitol's money, and they bought it back when they left to go to Fat?
I thought B&B was amazing. The album paired their songwriting with a depth of lyricism that they had been trying to reach all along. It was awesome. "The Last Hour Of The Last Day Of Work"? Amazing.
I have a question for those who have this. I like everything I've heard from this album, save "Overrated". Should I still buy it? I mean, if I don't buy the album, I'm gonna have to buy "The Rest Of My Life" on iTunes. It may not sound like LTJ, but it's still good.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at 9:22 AM (EDT)
My Score:

I am so freaking pissed right now! Today was supposed to be the day a new LTJ album came out; instead I got the new "worst cd ever recorded" album.

Seriously LTJ, I wish you had an email contact on your website, I'd tell you exactly how much you suck and how much you let your fans down. This so called "music" is garbage. These guys are like pervs trying to sing to 14 year old girls. When I was 14 and these guys were at their peak, they made some amazing songs. If i was 14 today, and just discovering this band, I'd be one of the kids throwing shit at the lead singer. F this band now.

"A band doesn't write a record like B is for B-Sides and then follow it up with this fucking shit."

That album was B-SIDES you idiots. They obviously didn't like the stuff as much as what they did on Anthem. If "B is for B-sides" was the direction the band was going in, then it would have been those songs on an actual album, not a b-sides collection. crazy fools

Yeah... speaking of the Bosstones... are they still on "hiatus?" Or have they offically broken up. Come home Dickey... come home!!!!

I think they should just give up to be honest. the rehasher album was way better than anything ltj have done in years so hopefully roger might focus on that

From what I've read and what I've heard, this wil be the first LTJ album I don't purchase. "

Ditto. That seriously depresses me too, since LTJ was one of the bands that got me into punk rock and ska. There was a time not long ago when I was on the verge of becoming one of those full fledged LTJ vinyl collector nerds, but this record is just the nail in the coffin. I'll just repost a revised "Adam/LTJ impression" that I posted while we were discussing the EP, as it sums up my thoughts:

Now, this was one of my favourite bands growing up, and hell, I managed to shove my "old school fan bias" to defend Anthem with a very fair review on Punknews. Here's why the their current sound has lost me...

The band had their major label years, they had the push of being a trendy act at the height of a trendy sound, and they managed to gain a lot of fans in the process. After Capitol the band seemed to be reconnecting with the "scene" in that they signed to Fat, Vinny's Fueled By Ramen was putting out interesting records and the band was touring with other bands of their general age/fanbase from the independent punk scene. By all accounts they should have continued along that line and settled into their elder years with that "respected indie reinvention" that the Suicide Machines or Bosstones managed.

Yet instead they're back on a major label and going through the same auto-tuner gauntlet as bands far younger that don't know any better. It's like a mid-life crisis move. They're trying to re-connect with the same age group of kids they connected with in 1996, while those of us who were actually around in 1996 are left scratching our heads. To us, this band should be on a big indie label like Fat or Epitaph or even FBR, touring with bands like the Bouncing Souls or NOFX, and releasing records free of mainstream sugar coating. I'll always respect Vinny as a songwriter, but the whole career trajectory they're on seems awkward and unnatural to me.

-adam

is it just me, or do the echo lyrics on "mostly Memories" chorus annoy the fuck out of you.

what a disappointment. Anthem was, in my opinion, a great album and its sad to see that they could not continue along that path.

Posted by Frankff on 2006-05-23 04:49:34
My Score:

Good review.
The most shocking moment came when i realized "Overrated" wasn't the worst song on the album ! For it's at least somewhat catchy and funny, unlike some other tracks ("Fall Apart", "Landmines"). The best song on there is indeed "A Still Life Franchise" by far, followed by "P.S." and "Let Her Go" (although the latter has some really annoying « na na nana na » going on).
They really started off where they left with "She's Gonna Break Soon" and that's terrible. And sad, especially after the good record that was B Is For B-Sides.
Well, it's not a disappointment though... as it wasn't like we didn't see it coming, eh !

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at 4:18 AM (EDT)
My Score:

Wow, this really is depressing. I don't think its a terrible record, but its very far from their best. The better songs on this for me are "Let Her Go" and "In-Dependence Day".

Joe

a sad day for the band that got me into the music i enjoy today

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at 2:50 AM (EDT)
My Score:

it makes anthem sound great.

actually, not playing this record, you know, intently, makes your stock of LTJ go up.

this isn't even a good pop album.

It sounds like a band who ghostwrote their songs.

what the hell is this record?

wyzo

Hold on. So you're saying that if you expect an album to be crappy and it turns out to be crappy it is no longer that bad because you anticipated it's badness?

Posted by chokingvictim on 2006-05-23 01:52:42
My Score:

It's like everyone expected this to be great. After the EP, this was kind of expected.

And since I was expecting it, I don't think it's all that bad.

Posted by kingofpain on 2006-05-23 01:45:37
My Score:

I love Less Than Jake, and I'll always catch their show when they come by, but I couldn't even listen to the whole album.

Posted by joeg on 2006-05-23 01:44:45
My Score:

i agree with everything that was said in the review. boring, overproduced, and lifeless.

i like how less than jake got professional song writers to help them ruin this album

Apparently someone has had too much time to sit and gimp around their appartment. What a depressing review, seriously.

Like I said earlier I don't like this album but I didn't like Anthem either. I think this album is for most LTJ what Anthem was for me.
-Dante

"I lost interest in Less Than Jake when they released Borders and Boundaries. For me, that was the beginning of their descent."

I think that was the case for alot of us. I had high hopes for B&B because they were off of capitol. I figured they'd develop a less poppy sound being on fat, they've been getting poppier ever since!

this album pisses me off on so many levels. i fucking love this band. why would you do something like this? and they fucking said they were going to pay tribute to bands like ALL, Descendents and Screeching Weasel...psh. fucking bullshit.

A band doesn't write a record like B is for B-Sides and then follow it up with this fucking shit. We all know that Anthem's tracklisting was picked by warner bros. because B-Sides had TOO many good songs in comparison. And I thought Anthem was a pretty good record, because it is. this? fuck it.

I lost interest in Less Than Jake when they released Borders and Boundaries. For me, that was the beginning of their descent. Which sucks because they were the band that got me into punk.

Posted by MikeStupid on 2006-05-23 01:21:22
My Score:

I loved Anthem and B Is For B-Sides, so this album is a total shock to me. It's not so much that it's bad as it is just supremely boring. The only songs that even stand out at all are "In-Dependence Day" and "Don't Fall Asleep On The Subway." The rest is just monotonous pop that would have been filler on any other LTJ album.

From what I've read and what I've heard, this wil be the first LTJ album I don't purchase. At least they gradually got worse so this isn't a big shock!

Posted by inagreendase on 2006-05-23 01:14:38
My Score:

Agreed. I liked Anthem, but this is just way overproduced pop-punk. Roger doesn't even sound like himself on some of the tracks. Disappointing.