Customer Reviews

Borders & Boundaries [Vinyl]

5 star:		(82)
4 star:		(32)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I will admit, I am not your die hard, been there from the beginning Less Than Jake fan. However, I have turned into a very big fan of theirs, despite only discovering them after hearing "History of a Boring Town" off of "Hello Rockview" and not purchasing my first CD from them until the release of "Anthem." Since then, though, I've acquired "Hello Rockview," "Losing Streak," "B Is for B-Sides," and now, "Borders and Boundaries." Out of all these, "Borders and Boundaries" is the one that stands above the rest, showing off all sides of the Less Than Jake greatness while still maintaining its own unique flair. As other reviews have said, this disc blends all the things we've come to love about these guys: the horns, the humor, the punk, the ska, and does all this while maturing both lyrically and musically.

This album has a cleaner, more well produced feel to it than "Losing Streak," but still has enough rawness to it to help it remain organic. Many of the songs have been slowed up just a bit from the traditional punk speed the band typically uses, but it does this in the right manner, not merely slowing them down for commercial appeal, but to use tempo changes in the right places in order to create a more well rounded song. That's not to say the guys have gone soft though. Songs such as "Faction," "Mr. Chevy Celebrity," and "Pete Jackson Is Getting Married" definitely keep things from becoming too slow and monotonous. The slower (this really isn't a good term, as none of the songs are actually slow, just some aren't as fast as others) songs actually manage to be the real gems though, such as the tracks "Is This Thing On?" and "Last Hour of the Last Day of Work," which also both contain some of the best lyrics on the entire record. And of course, the much loved horn section makes it most evident appearance in what is probably the most well known song on the record, "Gainesville Rock City."

The best tracks on this record, in my opinion, are "Last Hour of the Last Day Work" (think what would be the theme song for the movie "Office Space"), "Gainesville Rock City" (about life on the road away from home), and "Magnetic North" (being somewhere where you can't stand the people who are there, but realize you're just like them). Of course all those are merely my own interpretations; look up the lyrics for yourself if you're really interested. Either way, all you need to know is that if you're a Less Than Jake fan, you need this album. If you're a punk/ska fan, you need this album. Actually, if you merely like good music, you need this album.

Let's see, where do I start. This is a CD which I liked immediately as I put it into my CD player. This doesn't necessarily mean that all the songs are of superior quality, but they are definately catchy and fun to listen to. One thing I've found about Less Than Jake is that their lyrics tend to be much better than those of other ska bands I listen to. (although LTJ is not necessarily ska..their inability to be defined is definately an interesting trait.) This CD proves to be no different lyrics-wise..not exactly profound, but interesting, for sure. However, Less Than Jake appears to be phasing out the horns in their songs. I was dissapointed to hear that most of the songs on this CD have the main riffs played by guitars with horns mostly in the chorus of the song. This is not because I'm some "ska purist" and I'm mad because LTJ is drifting away from that sound, it's simply because i've always liked horns and I thought LTJ's horn riffs were superb on their CDs in the past. BUT, the songs on this CD are just as catchy as ever, fun to listen to, and Chris and the others' vocals are in top form. (although there's a couple songs on this CD which the beginning of which are sung almost ballad-style..which I don't like as much) However, I'd give this CD somewhere between 3 + 4 stars..It's a little different than their other CDs, but very good nonetheless, and definately worth buying..(especially if you've read this far through my rambling). Less Than Jake is always evolving and always changing their sound, and it's exciting to see where they'll go next.

Borders and Boundaries is a very good album, but it is not typical Less Than Jake. The album is slower than the others, and not as upbeat. If you're like me, and have liked Less Than Jake for a long time, you probably won't like this album as much (but I'd buy it anyway).

I'm insulted that eveyone here has completely shot this album down just because LTJ isnt playing straight ska anymore (oh no, a band cant change, they always have to stay the same!) LTJ made a terrific album here, and its a shame you people cant see that for some reason, ok...sure this isnt the best album ever, but come on...except for mab "hell looks like LA" this cd rocks. Especially the last three songs which even challenge "Losing Streak" for the best ending. Open your mind and embrace evolution in music. Rock on Ltj (By the way if you havent heard the band and would like to check out "Losing Streak"...its ska-punk nirvana...

Now, a lot of people are very partial to Losing Streak and Hello Rockview. Borders and Boundaries is often dismissed by many, because it's not as "ska" as LTJ's past albums, who cares? Most who say this fail to realize that Borders and Boundaries has, without a doubt, the best songwriting Vinnie has ever done. This is automatically makes it take the cake for me, but throw in amazingly catchy music, great melodies, great horns, and good pace changes, and you've got the perfect LTJ album. Let's take a look.

1. Magnetic North- Awesome way to open the album. Catchy little bass line opener, then comes in with guitar and drums, and then comes in with the horns. You'll already start to see the lyrical genius with this one.

2. Kehoe- Music isn't as catchy as Magnetic North, but keep listening, the lyrics are damn good.

3. Suburban Myth- Here's one for the ska fiends out there. Good, catchy, upbeat, and of course the lyrics are damn good. This one talks about their town.

4. Look What Happend- Oh man! Here is where we start to go to a whole other level of LTJ. This song is flat-out amazing! The lyrics are amazingly writen, and will definitely paint a picture in your head. The music is also undeniably catchy as well, and the way the song starts off will just lull you into it.

5. Hell Looks A Lot Like LA- Much like Kehoe, good lyrics, but the music seems a bit generic in the LTJ style. Still, better than anything too generic on Rockview or Losing Streak.

6. Mr. Chevy Celebrity- Here's where the songwriting and music take a little break for some fun. Pretty much just a straight-up pop-punk song with no horns, telling the story of a kid Vinnie knew who was crazy.

7. Gainesville Rock City- The perfect bridge between the first and second halves of the album. Awesome horn line, kick ... lyrics, and the bridge will have you jumping up and down and chanting GAINESVILLE ROCK CITY, GAINESVILLE ROCK CITY, all night long.

8. Malt Liquor Tastes Better When You've Got Problems- Another great track, this one dealing with problems that alcohol can bring. Very catchy music, and the softly sung bridge is great.

9. Bad Scene And A Basement Show- My personal favorite track off of the album. The lyrics deal with a guy trying to get a girl back, but it's set around a basement show, so it adds a little spin to it. The end of this song (SHE DONT UNDERSTAND ME!), is worth the price of the cd alone.

10. Is This Thing On?- Another amazingly written track. It starts off with some awesome guitar riffage, and then just comes in as a mid-tempo rock song. Delicious.

11. Pete Jackson Is Getting Married- Really the only song I dislike on the album. I dunno, it just seems really outta pace.

12. 1989- Another killer track with awesome lyrics. Chris sings a nice little bridge at an awesome fast pace, and the song sounds damn good. Awesome horn parts.

13. The Last Hour Of The Last Day Of Work- Probabally the strongest songwriting on the whole album. You won't find any horns or fast tempos on this one. Here you will find a completely honest rock song. The words "never second guess how to live your life" will always be stuck in my head.

14. Bigger Picture- Awesome punk song. Roger sings the whole song, and the chorus is totally kickin'.

15. Faction- What an amazing way to end the album. Amazing songwriting, awesome structure (ska verses, punk chorus, and amazing bridge). "Sometimes your best defense is a good reminder of your common sense."

Bottom line is, you should buy this album. If you don't have any LTJ albums, I recommend you get this one first. If you have them all except this one, then your really dumb, and you should own it.

Look for Less Than Jake's new album, "Anthem", in stores April 4th..

True, it is very different from past albums, but still lessthanjakealicious. It does have more punk and less ska, and also maybe a tiny bit of pop, which shows through in the many catchy hooks in songs like Bad Scene and a Basement Show and Look What Happened. Its more accessible to a larger audience because of this, but thats not to say that they have lost their lessthanjakeyness at all. Far from it. Its a different sound, but still worthy of their great name.

Magnetic North- 9/10 (Good Opener.)
Kehoe- 7/10 (So-So on LTJ standards.)
Surburban Myth- 9/10 (There are parts of this song I could listen to over and over again.)
Look What Happened- 8/10 (More pop than anything else. But still a decent song.)
Hell Looks A lot like LA- 6/10 (A bit of filler, I think.)
Mr. Chevy Celebrity- 9/10 (Most punk song on the CD. No ska at all.)
Gainsville Rock City- 5/10 (Just doesn't float my boat. Not so good...shame shame LTJ.)
Malt Liquor Tastes Better When Youv'e Got Problems- 10/10 (Yummy.)
Bad Scene and a Basement Show- 10/10 (I love that one part where the music and his voice get real quiet, then his voice starts getting louder and louder, and then the music like explodes....and....and....its good.)
Is This Thing On?- 12/10 (The best song on the CD. If you don't buy the CD, download this song. Please.)
Pete Jackson is Getting Married- 8/10 (Hehe...."the swedish meatballs look sooo tempting that his two fat aunts might even...fight!")
1989- 8/10 (Pretty good.)
Last Hour of the Last Day of Work- 9/10 (Slower song, but enjoyable.)
Bigger Picture- 8/10 (I like the very end, where it sounds like a TV turning off.)
Faction- 9/10 (The very end of this song was a perfect way to end the CD. Nice touch.)

Hope that was helpful.

This is a pretty good cd, actually its very good, but not a good LTJ cd to start on. If you like pop-punk (Blink 182, FenixTX, Saves the Day, A New Found Glory) then this would get a 5 star rating from you. If you are in to LTJ's earlier stuff, or like other ska bands (Mustard Plug, Reel Big Fish, etc), you might not like it as much. Less Than Jake really has matured alot, but that can be good or bad. If you are just getting into Less Than Jake, definatly get Losing Streak. Dont get me wrong, this cd is very good, just different.

Those who expected ska kings Less Than Jake's new album to return to their popska roots will be surprised...pleasantly surprised. Throughout the entire album is a unique new sound LTJ somehow mastered over these last 2 years. They've got a new pop-ska-newwave-emo hybrid thing going on, ( Discount? ) and I like it. While a few of the songs stick with Rockview's popska formula, newer songs like Look What Happened stray off into..almost duran duran, or even the police like sound. Gone are the constant use of the f word and minute long trumpet riffs, in are great sounding songs that will once again confirm LTJ's legacy. bravo.

Let's face facts. After the trainwreck of "Hello, Rockveiw" we all expected sad things from LTJ's newest release. Luckily, thats not what we got!

B&B has the ability to rival my all-time favorite CD, Losing Streak, and thats saying alot. The orns are togethjer, the guitar is perfectly placed, the bass is driving, the drums steady. This is a matured sound we're hearing from the leaders of skacore music. Gainsville Rock City, Magnetic North, bigger Picture, Faction, Look What Happened... thos happen to be my favorites. but i lvoe all the songs on the cd, even the loud punk ones I'm not a big fan of with most LTJ cds. The boys from Florida have pulled out a record that sure as heck beats anything on the market right now.

Less Than Jake did it again and released a great CD. I would say that this is as good if not better than Hello Rockview. It isnt as good as Losing Streak but it is still Less Than Jake. They have managed to keep writing great stuff even after so long. Check out "Magnetic North," "Look What Happened," "Malt liquor tastes better when you have problems," and "Last Hour of the last day of Work." This CD is a must buy,