Borders and Boundaries marks Less Than Jake's 77th release and fifth full-length album of original material. It is quite an accomplishment for a band that has only been around for eight years and has released most of its material on independent labels. The band's latest album might be an example of how all this time and non-stop touring has taken it toll.
Less than jake
Borders and Boundaries
Fat Wreck Chords
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Less Than Jake built its reputation as the "most prolific ska-punk band," playing exhilarating live shows complete with fire breathing, crazy crowdsurfing clowns and toilet paper guns. The band refuses to use its last names, doesn't sign autographs and try to always play all-ages venues. While a lesser band might have taken the TRL-driven path of other bands, Less Than Jake never changed its musical style.
Borders offers the band's first distinct change in style since their formation. Listeners are going to be left with the question "What happened to the ska?" Only songs like "Suburban Myth" and "Faction" give a brief glimpse of what used to be. In the past you could listen to a LTJ album twice and you would be singing along with the endless harmonies in no time. These vocals have been replaced with the bass player's seemingly pubescent cracking voice.
"Magnetic North" conjures up the anthemic songs of old. "Suburban Myth" might also qualify, except for the rhythmic clapping at the end. "Hell Looks a Lot Like L.A." and "Is This Thing On?" are solid enough to listen to, but nothing really stands out.
What might ultimately save the band is its sense of humor. They are opening for Bon Jovi this fall. What other punk band could keep a straight face? Its sense of humor is still intact on this album with songs like "Malt Liquor Tastes Better When You've Got Problems."
On Borders, the band says it's never changed, but there is no denying its music has. It would be an easy excuse to say LTJ sold out, but the band in fact moved to an independent label from a major record label to make this album. Borders and Boundaries will likely not attract the same fans that its work in the past has, but no one stays young forever.
