ALBUM REVIEWS
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ALBUM REVIEWS |
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Less Than Jake
THE PEOPLE’S HISTORY OF LESS THAN JAKE / LOSERS, KINGS & THINGS WE DON’T UNDERSTAND / PEZCORE SLEEP IT OFF @www.vanguard-online.co.uk My student days in the late nineties coincided with one of the most dismal periods of rock music in recent memory. As my halls of residence echoed to the sound of arse-end Britpop bands, whilst the sullen face of Richard Ashcroft adorned almost every wall, I wondered if there really was anybody out there for me, especially since my beloved Wildhearts had just split up. Salvation came via a trip to New York where I became hooked on the ‘third wave ska’ movement that had succeeded in America where Two Tone had failed. Sure, it was fairly shallow compared to its predecessor, more suited to a keg party than the dark days of Thatcherism, and I’ve long since outgrown a lot of it. At the time, however, it was a damn sight more cheerful and palatable than `Mad Richard’ droning on about drowning cats in bags. Less Than Jake were, by far, the best of the bunch; their live shows almost the stuff of legend. I learned how to crowd surf at their gigs and taught others to do the same. Even when I had surpassed my ska-punk phase, they pulled off a great set at the Leeds Festival in 2006 which reminded me of how Less Than Jake helped revive my interest in contemporary music. The excitement of a Less Than Jake gig is captured rather well on the reissue of their 2004 DVD ‘The People’s History Of Less Than Jake’, which features performances going back to their very early days when they were a trio. Whilst two slickly-shot gigs in London and Rhode Island head up the DVD, the bootleg videos sent in by the fans almost drip with moshpit sweat. Generously stuffed with quality performances, ‘The People’s History’ demands repeated viewing. Also part of this reissue campaign on LTJ’s new label Sleep It Off are their first two cd’s, ‘Losers, Kings & Things We Don’t Understand’ and ‘Pezcore’. Both are fairly unimpressive sets which are strictly recommended for hardcore completists. Detractors who complain that Less Than Jake are repetitive may have a strong argument with ‘Losers…’. Whilst their template is set, they clearly have not discovered how to write a decent song at this point. ‘Pezcore’ fairs a little better, containing the first appearances of fan favourites ‘Jen Doesn’t Like Me Anymore’ and ‘Johnny Quest Thinks We’re Sellouts’, but ultimately it’s a non-stop barrage of jerky ska-punk rhythms. For greater scope, check out their twofer set, ’Hello Rockview’ and ’Losing Streak’. www.cookingvinyl.com |