This is Less Than Jake's follow up to Anthem. So whats new about this album? Same line up as before, same band logo. First thing that strikes me to the album is the stunning cover, it oozes with vivid colours, I'm sure you'll agree it's perhaps the nicest LTJ cover. Now lets get into the review!
Overview
"PS. Shock The World" and "Still A Life Franchise" seems to carry on from where �The Science Of Selling Yourself Short Left Off�. Both being more upbeat, and kick into the more punky less ska chorus. "Landmines and Landslides", "Let Her Go" There are some more chilled out songs such as "The Rest Of My Life" which provides a nice break in the middle of the album. "Hopeless Case" also has a steady palm muted verse, but kicks into a slightly faster Chorus. The intro to �Fall Apart� is new ground that we have not seen from LTJ before, a very hard and heavy intro, which then kicks into one of more sing along songs one the album. �Mostly Memories� provides up with the usual fast paced power chorded intro were use to on this album with an electro riff over the top, this then cuts out into a classic punky style LTJ.
The album has matured further on from Anthem, this maturity seems to be taking LTJ away from there Ska/Punk/Pop roots moving them more into the Punk/Pop arena, this is certainly seen though their latest single �Overrated (Everything Is).�
Vocals + Lyrics
Nothing new here, Chris and Rodger, both providing a good constant vocals, as they have always. Pretty much what you'd expect from LTJ. The lyrics seem to revolve around frustrations, imperfections and insecurities that lay inside of most of us in the out crowd. This is perhaps one of the greatest differences between �In With The Out Crowd� and every other LTJ album out there. �Fall Apart�s� lyrics are exactly what the name suggests; it stresses how easy it is to give up.
Instruments
A quick listen to this album and you certainly will tell that there is less dominance of the horns from previous LTJ albums, personally I miss this section of the band and wish they were a more dominant part of the album. The tone of the guitar, has huge re-reminiscence to the tone on Anthem. Rodger provides us with the interesting bass lines again nothing ground breaking and nothing that will surprise you, no Maxwell Murder bass solo�s, but I still love it, why fix it if it isn�t broken? Again no huge difference Vinnie�s drums, nothing fancy, and it all fits into place.
My Verdict
Any LTJ fan will defiantly be buying this album, though I certainly won't be throwing my old LTJ CD's away, this is certainly a good album, but lacks songs that stand out. Along away from being LTJ's best album, and along way from being a terrible album. I feel that there is a lack of Ska songs, are Buddy and JR still alive? Overall I'm glad this CD is in my collection even if it just looks good, it just will not be getting as much thrashings as other LTJ albums got. Maybe a rating of 3 is harsh. But like the Russian police im harsh but fair, I would love this album to be a 4.5 but just lacks the LTJ I crave.
Songs You Have To Listen To
Still Life Franchise
PS. Shock The World
Don't Fall Asleep On The Subway
The Rest Of My Life
