 | Tracklist:
1. Liquor Store
2. My Very Own Flag
3. Johnny Quest Thinks We\'re Sellouts
4. Big
5. Shotgun
6. Black Coffee
7. Throw The Brick
8. Growing Up On A Couch
9. Blindsided
10. Downbeat
11. Jen Doesn\'t Like Me Anymore
12. Out Of The Crowd
13. Robo
14. Where In The Hell Is Mike Sinkovich?
15. Process
16. 3 Quartz Drunk
17. Short On Ideas
18. One Last Cigarette
Release Date: 1994 | |
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On 1 Lists
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2 of 2 thought this review was well written
"Pezcore" was the last recording LTJ made before switching to a major label and releasing "Losing Streak," and when you listen to it, "Pezcore" seems like the natural precursor to their major label debut.
In comparison to their later stuff, this record is all about the ska, with a side order of big, juicy, rough-edged pop-punk.* That's not to say that the record is totally dominated by skank guitar and horniness, but suffice to say, theres plenty of scope for crazy dancing and jumping around like a kangaroo on speed, certainly more so than any of the albums they've given us since.
Earlier versions of "Johnny Quest Thinks We're Sellouts" and "Jen Doesn't Like Me Anymore" (which later appeared on Losing Streak), are included, sounding quite different, which turns out to be for the best, especially*due to*the really crunchy bass sound which punctuates the lounge-jazz of the former, and the tighter instrumentals and better vocal arrangements of the latter.
Opener "Liquor Store" is a catchy little ska-fest, fuelled by the skank-guitar, bouncy basslines, and inventive horn lines.* It leads nicely into more punky "My Very Own Flag."* Despite*Chris and Roger's vocals being a little*less*refined than they went on to become, the lyrical*delivery (of*Vinnie's consistantly great lyrics) is always effective, and sometimes verging on hardcore territory, something which the band*sadly moved away from.*
Other highlights include "Black Coffee" which lives up to the its caffeinated title by never letting up on the speed and melody, "Growing Up On A Couch" which begins life as a bastardized version of Greenday's "Longview" and bursts into horn-powered mayhem and ranting against TV and apathy, and "Out Of The Crowd" which brings back the ska with a vengeance and seemingly an army of brass instruments!*
"Where In The Hell Is Mike Sinkovich?"* I don't know, but I'm sure glad he disappeared, because he inspired possibly the most unique song on the album!* It*combines the usual "leaving town" lyrics that LTJ often deal in, with bouncy ska beats, jazzy horns, gang vocals, and some nice little instrumental sections, not to mention tempo changes.
A slower, more reggae-like feeling is brought up by the opening bass hits of "3 Quartz Drunk" and is sustained til the last few bars, when the guys lose control and blast out a double speed outro to great effect.
"Boomtown" may be fairly simple, but if you ever wanted the perfect party song, this is it!* The same goes for the uncredited bonus song that pops up if you leave the last track playing a few minutes after its ended!*
The presence of 19 tracks means that the album is rather long for a ska-punk album, clocking in at around 50mins, and occasionally, the less distinctive songs can appear to blend into one another, but overall, "Pezcore" reeks of quality.* Imagine downing a bucketful of Pez and washing it down with a dozen or so bottles of cola, and you're getting close to the party-mood, hyperactive sugar-rush feeling you get when you give "Pezcore" a whirl.
PROS
+ The songs I've mentioned above.
+ Some of the finest ska-punk around.
+ That sugar-rush feeling.
+ 20*songs - that's value for money!
CONS
- 20 songs, maybe a little to many to be memorable?
- If you don't like ska, get the hell away from this... in fact, why are you even reading this?!
MY RATING -----> 4/5
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| Recent reviews by this author | | | |
This was a good review from what I read. There are a lot of 's. So, I stopped reading it.
I want this cd to add to my Less Than Jake collection. :DThis Message Edited On 12.11.05
| | | Album Rating: 4
think i sorted out all those stupid random letters that appeared... fucking internet code!!!
Digging: Dresden Dolls - Yes Virginia | | |
I've never heard less than jake before, except for 'She's Gonna Break Soon'.
Is this a good place to start?
| | | Album Rating: 4
not really, the best place to start would be the double album release of "hello rockview" and "losing streak"
after that, if u still prefer "shes gonna break" then get "anthem" and "b is for bsides"
if u dont prefer "shes gonna break" having heard the double album release, then get "pezcore" and "borders and boundaries"
anyone agree with this?
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a less then jake my first love. first music i got into but sadly ive moved on
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anyone agree with this?
Agreed.
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Amen. But I have all of the above mentioned so to me it's all good, however I think that's a great path to follow if you're not the casual LTJ listener.
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I don't particularly care for this group. At all actually. But I am a fan of Mr. Spoons reviews.
| | | Album Rating: 4
wow! i have a fan!
i havn't reviewed anything since my in flames review the day come clarity was released, so i might have to do another soon... possibly rehasher (LTJ side project) or SikTh.
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I will indeed check it out.
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Now that I own this CD, you totally forgot to mention Shotgun. That is now my favorite song by LTJ.
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Yeah, Shotgun is a great song. I actually prefer the Johnny Quest on this album more then I do on Losing Streak.
The big problem with Pezcore is that the last four songs are pathetic.
| | | Album Rating: 4
*listens to shotgun*
*concludes that i am a fool for not mentioning it*
apparently theres another version of it knocking about somewhere....?
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Theres version of shotgun on ''losers kings and things'' the EP collection.
I was going to review Rehasher, but go ahead man, cos I dont know much about the other bands that formed it.
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great review. I really liked this cd but havent heard in a while I think ill pop it in right now
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The vocals are bloody awful on this CD.
That is all.
| | | Album Rating: 4
well, they are compared to their later stuff, but they're not the worst ever. theres new-ish albums out now with worse singing than this getting massive exposure. coughAIDENcough.
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