Customer Reviews

Hello Rockview

5 star:		(165)
4 star:		(40)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have seen LTJ at live shows, and this CD shows how energetic they are onstage and in there music. Sure a lot of people think "LTJ ARE SELLOUTS!" but actually LTJ are still pretty loyal to their fans. They still do all their shows, booking, still doing indie labels and merch is always run by them, not Capitol. And usually people ask me "who the fuck is LTJ?" See? But anyway, this CD is great. To the blaring horns to the roaring guitar. Chris (guitarist) does a pretty good job of keeping everything exciting. Roger (bass) keeps the funky sound and beat. Vinnie (drums) excellent drumming at great speeds. The horn section is great, now with two t-bones their sound is unique. Losing Streak is good too, but that's a different story. Are they sellouts? NO! The band is just expressing their thoughts in their own way and their own feelings. They're not sellouts, just plain ol' LESS THAN JAKE.

*NOTE: Buy this CD. Listen to LIBERTY CITY, METALHEADS, BORING TOWN, CHEESE, and SCOTT FARCUS. I think these are the best tracks.

A lot of these reviews compare this disc to Losing Streak. This comparison is fair, of course. Losing Streak was a great ska/punk album and definitely put LTJ on the map. It most definitely had more ska on it, which gave it a certain sound that many people liked a lot. The band probably could have made another record just like Losing Streak, but they didn't. they evolved, and combined the ska and punk elements of their music to make a truly special sound that wreaks of nostalgia and high school. Songs like "History of a Boring Town" and "Danny Says" and "Last one out of Liberty City" make me get goosebumps and think about good times and good friends. "Al's War" reminds me of my own growing up and trying to get away from my parents. Basically, every song hits some chord with my heart and reminds me of my own teenage life. That's why this CD is so good. The music is fun, not depressed about lost girls and good times. They lyrics are true, simple and tell it like it is. I can see myself listening to this CD as a parent and quietly smiling about my life and all the good times because the good really does outway the bad, and LTJ embody that philosophy very well.

I've just recently gotten into this band and I have to say they are awesome! Hello Rockview is a great album that's fast, upbeat, and just overall really fun to listen to from beginning to end. Some standout tracks include "History of a Boring Town", "Scott Farcas Takes It on the Chin", and "All My Best Friends are Metalheads."

Being a ska fan, I really enjoyed the ska-punk sound of this album, and it's easily my favorite Less Than Jake album I've heard so far (my first cd was Anthem, which is also very good, but definitely lacking in ska). If you are new to LTJ, I would recommend buying this album first, along with Losing Streak, as it demonstrates the band at their best.

(Also, if you are a Less Than Jake fan and haven't seen them live, you definitely should! They are fun and energetic, and a whole lot better than most of these new bands around today.)

Most people right now are saying "Yeah, sure there is no ska-punk album that is better than Losing Streak". You are wrong, though this cd isn't all ska-punk, it blends in various types of ska. Some songs don't even have the good ol' horns, so? Perfect time to test the band's skills. Songs like "Last One Out Of Liberty City", "Danny Says", "Nervious In The Alley", "Big Crash", and "Theme From H Street" still keep the same old ska-punk feeling for you die-hard losing streak fans. But songs like "All My Best Friends Are Metalheads", "Five State Drive", "History Of A Boring Town", and "Scott Farcus Takes It On The Chin" makes you look back to those skankin' days of the checkered years(note:for ska purist not Two-Tone!!!and Not Reel Big Fish!!!). But songs also such "Help The Youth of America From Exploding", "Motto", "Great American Sharpshooter", and the classic "Al's War" DON'T EVEN HAVE HORNS AND THEY ROCK!!! If you now see how Less Than Jake did this cd it is ten times better, for all the classical styles of ska. For those who have listen to some songs off this album, your'e thinking what's up with the lyrics to this cd, it isn't all "Losing-Streak-down-to-earth-Jen-doesn't-like-me-any-more-PEZ"lyrics filled, while, a cool bonus to this cd is that it has comic book layout for the lyrics, cool huh? I don't hate Losing Streak, Losing Streak is awesome, but this cd is way better. Buy it, its all truth ska. Plus i don't like ska that mush and it got me talking about the genres of ska!

Hello Rockview may be the best Less than Jake cd they have ever released. All the songs are incredible especially Last One out of Liberty City, Help Save the Youth of America from Exploding, Al's War, and History of a Boring Town. The 'newer' sound that Less Than Jake brings to this cd with their updated horn section (now two bones and a bari)is much more refined than on their earlier releases like "Losing Streak." Overall one of the best ska cds that I own, and it never gets old and I listen to it all the time when Im cruisen in my car. GO AND GET IT!

This is by far one of the most entertaining and fun albums put out by Less Than Jake. The CD starts out with a very pop punk influence and begins to pick up that ska touch around "History Of a Boring Town". Being a fan of both punk and ska I really love this CD, pick it up. By the way if you like this make sure to give a listen to "Blue Skies, Broke Hears Next 12 Exits" by The Ataris, and "Turn The Radio Off" by Reel Big Fish.

I hated ska, and then I bought this cd. Now I hate ska, but I love Love LOVE Less Than Jake!

Toes tappin' the whole cd through. Break all your kOrN cd's and cross over to the side of music where you don't have to be angry in order to fully rock.

:0

This CD is amazing. Right off the bat Last One Out of Liberty City gets you going with the amazing bass line. Then songs like Scott Farcas Takes it on the Chin have super catchy horns that just make you jump up and dance. All My Best Friends Are Metalheads is also an amazing song. This album starts a trend that was seen in all the albums after this one as well, that is Roger, the bass player, sings lead more than he usually has before. This adds some different flavor to songs and sounds really good. Chris does amazing vocals as well, but the change just spices it up. Cool album, i say buy it.

Overall, a good CD. The songs are poppy and injected with some great horns.

The upbeat soung LTJ gives gets you dancing in your seat, and the songs are catchy- you just can't get the out of your head. My favorites are History of a Boring Town, and Great American Sharpshooter.

The individual songs are all standout, but the flow of the overall CD is horrible. They all follow the catchy upbeat theme, which makes the CD hard to listen to multiple times in a row before getting sick of it.

Even with the horrible flow, the Hello Rockview is still a great CD to throw on once in a while.

The first time I listened to this album, I've got to admit, I was a little worried. I kind of jumped on the bandwagon with LTJ. The first song I heard by them was All My Best Friends Are Metalheads, off THPS4. I absolutely loved it! It still stands as my favorite song ever. Then I heard She's Gonna Break Soon and The Science Of Selling Yourself Short. I got Anthem, then listened to Losing Streak on Napster. That became my favorite album of all time, but I had only heard two songs from Hello Rockview. True, I had heard the same amount from Anthem, and enjoyed that, but was there really a chance I would like it just as much? Uh, yeah.

Being a hardcore listener of Losing Streak, and now this, I must admit Roger's bass playing is phenomenal. He always has interesting bass lines, where it isn't three chords the entire way through. Some of his playing can be evidenced on Five State Drive, or even at the end of Motto. Since all songs are great, here's a breakdown of the songs.

1) Last One Out Of Liberty City - 3.5/5
2) Help Save The Youth Of America From Exploding - 4.5/5
3) All My Best Friends Are Metalheads - 5/5
4) Five State Drive - 3.5/5
5) Nervous In The Alley - 4/5
6) Motto - 3.5/5
7) History Of A Boring Town - 4/5
8) Great American Sharpshooter - 4/5
9) Danny Says - 3/5
10) Big Crash - 3.5/5
11) Theme Song For H Street - 3.5/5
12) Richard Allen George...No, It's Just Cheez - 2.5/5
13) Scott Farcas Takes It On The Chin - 4.5/5
14) Al's War - 4/5

I know this doesn't really look that good to you - kind of average - but I'm trying not to do this: EVERY song is perfect! 5/5 for all of them! Except for History Of A Boring Town! I give that 6/5, because it's beyond perfect! Uhh, no it isn't. Either is All My Best Friends Are Metalheads, and that's my favorite song ever. But really, buy this CD. You won't be disappointed.