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Ska-punk surfer dudes Less Than Jake have re-released their 1995 compilation album, which came after Pezcore, retaining their rough and ready sound. The trombones are tight and the tuneful hi-energy of "Soundcheck" and "24 Hours In Paramus" kick things off nicely. Things get a bit thrashy for 'Whipping Boy', then it's bouncy trombone-soaked ska for 'Time And A Half.' Unlike a lot of 'nu-punk' and ska wannabes, you know they're playing from the heart and there's a sparkle and fire to these songs. 'I just don't understand how anyone can take the life of another man.'. This album was originally released in 1996 but personally Id much rather listen to this than anything around at the moment that claims to be of its ilk. The bass guitar is suitably throbby, the guitars are impassioned and the lyrics make sense. What more could you ask?
"Where In The Hell Is Mike Sinkovich" intrigued me enough to do a Google search, and find out. Who IS Mike Sinkovich? Does anyone know? Email at the usual address if you do. Was he a long-lost manager/promoter that ran off with the band's money one night? The mind boggles. Which just goes to prove that the songs are engaging enough to make the listener ask: 'What's that all about then?' Always a good thing. There's a hysterical cover of the "Dukes of Hazzard" theme tune that should make you chuckle at least a little bit. "Laverne And Shirley" sounds like it could a theme tune to an American high-school sitcom: 'We're gonna make our dreams come true.' With that sort of naive optimism that's synonymous with being young. And that's what punk rock should be all about. It's not just for when you're 19 and reeeeaally wanna rebel against your parents and school and society, like. It's for when you're 30, and you just need that extra encouragement to do something radical and feel like a 19 year old reprobate again. And this could be just the record for all those approaching a thirty-something crisis. Today's mid-life crisis candidate doesn't wear cowboy boots or sport a ponytail they have blonde highlight/blue/pink streaks, sport a studded belt and have started going to Camden market again which they haven't done since they were oooh, about 20. And they might wear patchouli oil too. High energy ska-punk, perfect for putting on your iPod when running or cycling that marathon; or for blasting when doing your spring cleaning. |
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