Posted by hellorockview89 on 2009-01-10 21:42:30
My Score:

Not there Best but I Really Liked This C.D. anything they do is good... Hell they could Rap and i'd buy it

Just saw them live, unfortunately they played a lot off of this. After a couple of songs off of this album the crowd had officially died, many had walked away to take a break getting ready for reel big fish.

Posted by BSIEVS on 2007-07-15 17:47:07
My Score:

this album was so dissapointing. i guess i can see how someone(retarded) would like it. But, it's so bland... its not just that there's no ska.. it's just boring. the rest of my life is probably my most hated song of all time.. it's so LAME, and BORING! I like the soundtrack of my life, it lacks horns(which would make it a lot stronger and less empty sounding) but it's lyrics are real, and its just a good song, and i like the gainseville reference.. p.s. shock the world is probably the best song on the album.. it's complete, and its just good. the best song to actually rock out to and not just be bored out of your mind is def. don't fall asleep on the subway!

Dear Less Than Jake,

Register and then take a look at the "People who liked this album also liked..." bar to give yourselves an indication where you've been going musically. Then go fuck yourselves for releasing this album.

this album is very different from past albums of less than jake. that can be a good thing, but in this case ...it not.they more to e sound of pop punk rock and away from their ska and underground punk roots.their idea was obvious on this album.money. they wanted to appeal to a bigger crowd with the annoying "overrated" there is no doubt that is what they did. but on a good note, there are still some good song like " a still life franchise" with some of their ska roots shining and "oundrack of my life" that has a more classical punk sound. but something that less than jake has totally lost in this album, was there speed. less than jake had been known for fast jumpy ska songs with a screaming punk line to follow. this unfortunatly is gone. there are no fast songs on this album. there are some that have a nice riff , but nothing that compares to there old speed. overall this album is more diss apointing than good.

Hmmm...Less Than Jake...maybe if it was ten years ago and they were still playing the same kind of ska instead of sounding like Goldfinger's bastard love child, I might be more into it.

"they have released Boysetsfire, Rx Bandits and Snapcase, and those, on their own, are better than anything Melt Banana's ever done."

Uh....no.

-Ken

Posted by skarocks on 2006-05-30 20:47:37
My Score:

This review was fair and in fact I would have given it more critical review if I was writing for Punknews.

Look, this album sucks for the following reasons:

1: There's no energy, you can't rock out to these songs, there's no cool guitar breaks or short solos as of old.

2: There's no craziness to the album at all, I know it sounds strange but there's no wacky vocals, no screaming or crazy horn lines, just boring.

3: Horn lines, now let's see, there was a review I read that said that there hasn't been so many horn lines on an LTJ album since Hello Rockview, well Im sorry but I could count all the horn lines on one hand. Also I wouldn't be very happy with my contribution to this album if I was a horn player, I dunno if they care or not but the horns are pretty lame on this album. And the "ska track" doesn't save it, sounds like the major label is calling the shots here.

4: Lastly, too many of the songs sound like there going nowhere, it sounds like they started out with good ideas for the songs and then ran them into the ground. And how the fuck did they come up with Hopeless Case, that song should be destroyed and replaced by She's Gonna Break Soon, at least that song has a good bridge part in the middle.

To all those fans who love this album fine, but they LTJ can do a hell of alot better and I knwo their capable of better. It sucks when your favourite band releases such utter shit. Let Her Go is the best track on the album by a mile so for that reason the album gets 1 star. I thought they were back on track with B is For B-Sides, all that's left is their live show and even that I'm not impressed with.

I saw them in England recently and they slowed down alot of classic songs and on top of that they played a medley yes a fucking medley of some of the best songs they have.

If some of you are wondering why alot of us are pissed off with this LTJ album well just listen to the new album and then stick on Hello Rockview after it, it's not the same band, it's more like Less Than Jake Lite. LTJ can change their sound sure but they don't have to stop rocking out and oh yeah I completley forgot almost, there's no fast songs anymore, all LTJ albums up to now had at least 2 or 3 fast in your face songs, anyway LTJ get writing some good material and stop using ghost writers who wrote fucking christina aguilera songs, what the fuck?

Anyway 1 star for this album.

This review was fair and in fact I would have given it more critical review if I was writing for Punknews.

Look, this album sucks for the following reasons:

1: There's no energy, you can't rock out to these songs, there's no cool guitar breaks or short solos as of old.

2: There's no craziness to the album at all, I know it sounds strange but there's no wacky vocals, no screaming or crazy horn lines, just boring.

3: Horn lines, now let's see, there was a review I read that said that there hasn't been so many horn lines on an LTJ album since Hello Rockview, well Im sorry but I could count all the horn lines on one hand. Also I wouldn't be very happy with my contribution to this album if I was a horn player, I dunno if they care or not but the horns are pretty lame on this album. And the "ska track" doesn't save it, sounds like the major label is calling the shots here.

4: Lastly, too many of the songs sound like there going nowhere, it sounds like they started out with good ideas for the songs and then ran them into the ground. And how the fuck did they come up with Hopeless Case, that song should be destroyed and replaced by She's Gonna Break Soon, at least that song has a good bridge part in the middle.

To all those fans who love this album fine, but they LTJ can do a hell of alot better and I knwo their capable of better. It sucks when your favourite band releases such utter shit. Let Her Go is the best track on the album by a mile so for that reason the album gets 1 star. I thought they were back on track with B is For B-Sides, all that's left is their live show and even that I'm not impressed with.

I saw them in England recently and they slowed down alot of classic songs and on top of that they played a medley yes a fucking medley of some of the best songs they have.

If some of you are wondering why alot of us are pissed off with this LTJ album well just listen to the new album and then stick on Hello Rockview after it, it's not the same band, it's more like Less Than Jake Lite. LTJ can change their sound sure but they don't have to stop rocking out and oh yeah I completley forgot almost, there's no fast songs anymore, all LTJ albums up to now had at least 2 or 3 fast in your face songs, anyway LTJ get writing some good material and stop using ghost writers who wrote fucking christina aguilera songs, what the fuck?

Anyway 1 star for this album.

""Actually, Melt Banana farting on a mic would still be better than the entire dicographies of Ferret, Trustkill, Eulogy, Drive-Thru, Vagrant, and Victory records combined"

Take Vagrant off there and you've got yourself a deal. :)"

Take Victory and Drive-Thru off as well. As much as the labels may put out a lot of bad stuff, they have released Boysetsfire, Rx Bandits and Snapcase, and those, on their own, are better than anything Melt Banana's ever done.

i was going to burn this cd, but i think i'll wait and toss it into the Gainesville solid waste facility with the rest of the shit.

"Actually, Melt Banana farting on a mic would still be better than the entire dicographies of Ferret, Trustkill, Eulogy, Drive-Thru, Vagrant, and Victory records combined"

Take Vagrant off there and you've got yourself a deal. :)

"It's certainly better than listening to The #12... or Melt Banana fart on a microphone for an hour."

Actually, Melt Banana farting on a mic would still be better than the entire dicographies of Ferret, Trustkill, Eulogy, Drive-Thru, Vagrant, and Victory records combined.

-Ken

It's a good album, without a doubt its just not a GREAT album like it was hyped up to be. Anthem and the Bsides album are the better of the Sire releases compared to this. This album lacks a bit of punch and the sound doesen't seem as crisp when compared to those albums.

For those of you looking for the LTJ that wrote "Losing Streak", you won't find that band on this album. You can't expect bands to write the same album they did along time ago while losing some members in the process. As well people complain about how polished and poppy they've been getting; Vinnie is a major part of this band and with all the work he does with pop-punk bands over at FBR you don't think it would rub off on him? It's too bad that this band can't pull a "Suicide Machines" ie:
1. Ditch the major label and head over to a good indie
2. Make new and different sounding songs but still stay true to your "classic" sound

If you enjoyed the recordings they've done for Sire thus far, this one doesn't fall too far from the tree and its worth picking up. If you want to hear "Automatic" throw in "Losing Streak"...

*C-Dub*

I'm a definite LTJ fanboy as well. It's not a bad album, but it's not a great album.

Catchy but ultimately forgettable given their entire catalogue.

Posted by historypeats on 2006-05-29 16:55:38
My Score:

I heard this for the first time yesterday, and it's nowhere near as bad as I thought it was going to be from the reaction on here. That said, this review is way, way too glowing; my score's somewhere between this reviewer's and Justin's, leaning more towards the latter.

Some horrible tracks ("Overrated"), some tracks that should've been stronger ("Soundtrack of My Life," "Mostly Memories"), and a couple of guilty pleasures ("Rest of My Life," "A Still Life Franchise"), but nothing truly outstanding.

Does anyone else think that "Landmines and Landslides" sounds like LTJ covering Fall Out Boy?

Do you have to pay dues to be on the street team?

I wrote the comment below- I just wanted to say- Hello Rockview and Losing Streak are two of my favorite albums of all time. So I'm not just bashing for no reason.

Rest Of My Life sounds like Less Than Jake trying to make their own Boulevard of Broken Dreams.

A good analogy for this is someone sees someone else taking a huge crap and then eating it, and cause he figures he's gotta upstage the guy who ate the huge piece of shit, he craps out a shit just like it except maybe a little bigger and eats it.

That's a terrible analogy. But it really is a piece of crap. And Less Than Jake is eating it.

nothing will ever be as good as "anthem", but i like this album.

that wasn't sarcasm, by the way.

I"m a bad LTJ fanboy, I still haven't bought this.

And yeah, even though I hear it's terrible, I'm gonna buy it.

Aye yeah, it's not bad cheers.

good album
they deffinatly don't deserve all the hate from the so called "fans" that keep comparing them to Pezcore. You jackasses need to grow up and get out of the phase that every album LTJ does needs to sound like Pezcore.

grow up.
dumbasses

"I haven't been coming on here much recently but I just want to publicly announce that Will rules. Seriously. This kid has got the right idea."

Congrats. It must be nice to be the first person to ever have a certain opinion.

i love when bands try to force themselves into the mainstream and fail completely, leaving the fans with a god-awful album.

i thought that most of the songs on this album sounded like Lit. yeah, that shitty, shitty band from like 01 or whatever. this reminded me of them.

He's right. The songs have good hooks, aren't too long and are well played. But the energy and passion isn't there, the lyrics are bad (and LTJ know how to write good lyrics), "whoa-ohs" aren't hard to put into songs and the bridges and verses are generic and unoriginal. We all know Less Than Jake can put out great material, using all kinds of styles, but this is just bland and unoriginal music. Hopefully the next one will be better if not great.

Posted by retistictumblweed on 2006-05-28 09:06:29
My Score:

Score is for your comments.

"I would hope that by their 7th album (not to mention over a decade of being one the most influential pop punk/ska bands around) we could hold them to a higher standard. This album sucks because all the passion, originality, fun, and wit that I've come to expect from LTJ is completely absent. "

That is, by far, the best example of a legitimate criticism I've seen so far, and I completely agree with all of it. This is a really bland record, although very well executed. As far as judging it by traditional pop standards (length, listenability, sound quality, harmony, etc.) it does fit the bill, and it is a very broad generalization that should cover every artist from middle school punks to The Beatles and all points in between. Obviously there are some things that will be added to that equation to make a great record (passion, energy, wit, a really solid hook every now and then,) and this record lacks most of those things. However, I am still not convinced that it's a terrible record, just a little (ok a lot) disappointing in the songwriting department.

To the guy that called me a "sick fuck" for expecting solid instrumentation and good vocals out of a band... huh? I do enjoy the more technically proficient bands, just because from a musician's point of view they're more a more interesting listen. That's a pretty far stretch to Mariah Carey, though. I think it's perfectly reasonable to expect a well played and listenable record from any band.

...and more people should listen to Van Halen.

I haven't been coming on here much recently but I just want to publicly announce that Will rules. Seriously. This kid has got the right idea.

Posted by FreddieFreeloader on 2006-05-28 02:44:06
My Score:

Blah.

Posted by mattp330 on 2006-05-27 23:24:27
My Score:

i love less than jake. them, the bosstones, and suicide machines got me into punk rock. this week i picked up in with the out crowd, this is hell, and the dixie chicks. this is easily the least punk rock out of all of them. i gave it a bunch of listens and my head just dropped more every time

Ok, restricted, let me see if I've got this straight? The best things you've got to say about this album are that the songs aren't too long, and they manage to keep their guitars in tune? That doesn't set off any alarm bells? All you're doing there is holding LTJ to the same standard as some podunk high school band from bumfuck nowhere. I would hope that by their 7th album (not to mention over a decade of being one the most influential pop punk/ska bands around) we could hold them to a higher standard. This album sucks because all the passion, originality, fun, and wit that I've come to expect from LTJ is completely absent. If I wanted to listen to a third-rate Zebrahead ripoff I'd shove a pencil in my ear because I'd rather be deaf. There is no honor in treading ground already tread by Sugarcult. But, like and abused lover, I'll be waiting, arms wide, for them when these dudes finally come to their senses.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, May 27, 2006 at 5:11 PM (EDT)
My Score:

This isn't really even a good pop album. It's just void of all soul. A couple of okay songs, but easily the worst LTJ album ever.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, May 27, 2006 at 4:30 PM (EDT)
My Score:

This album is pretty bad by any standards. no hooks, overproduction, and every instrument seems to trudge through its parts. It's no fun. I was really disappointed with every single aspect of this cd. Poor, poor, contrived effort.

Granted "overrated" is an awful song, but I think some horns would have really helped. The video is depressing. The horn section just runs around the stage acting goofy. LTJ should add a horn part to anything they play live. Without the horns, they're fucking GOLDFINGER.

hey tumbleweed-
go listen to mariah carey and van halen if you want good singing and good instrumentation you sick fuck.

"the glory of guitar, when out of tune, the off timing, the singers who can't sing...the beuty of flaw!"

"best ltj record"? "a masterpiece"? "breaking convention"?!?

are you fucking insane?!!? is this whole review sarcasm? how the hell is sounding like every shitty pop band with guitars (which MTV and the radio so ignorantly call 'punk') breaking convention?

"Oh please. I (and many others) love/like GOOD punk-pop (be it anything from The Gamnits to Screeching Weasel) and I really liked Anthem. Although it was way more punk-pop oriented than previous works, it was still very good and had some great ska songs. This just SUCKS!

PS: Listen to Architecture in Helsinki or Of Montreal. That's good pop."

Okay, first what makes you assume that I don't listen to any of the bands that you listed here? Do you know my record collection? My musical taste, outside of the one opinion stated here, pertaining to only one release by one band?

Second, I seem to have already formed my own opinions as to what constitutes a decent pop record, and obviously I think this one falls into that category... certainly not a great record, but also not worth of all this negative attention. Please don't try to force feed me your opinion.

Finally, I've read a lot of statements similar to yours that have offered no constructive criticism, or specific details as to why the record "sucks." Things don't just "suck" or "not suck." Give me a couple of resons why you think this is so bad, and we'll have a point for debate. In fact, since I am asking it of you, here are a few reasons I think this is at least a decent...and again, not their best...record.

1. The songs are all of a relatively reasonable length, and don't seem to be lacking any key elements. Most of them have a distinct intro, verse, chorus, and bridge, which are all important pieces of pop music.

2. All the lyrics are sung in key, and all the harmonies are well placed, in tact, and also in key.

3. The instrumentation is solid, in tune, well executed, and well recorded.

4. There are elements represented here that lend to an exciting live performance. Sing-along choruses, "whoa-ohs," energetic tempos, occasionally a technically proficient guitar or horn run.

So, while I agree with you that this is in no way a great record, I still have to say it is not the worst thing I've ever heard, and frankly I still don't see why everyone thinks it is so bad. It's certainly better than listening to The #12... or Melt Banana fart on a microphone for an hour.

"this album is utter SHAT"

"Shat" is a past tense verb. It is not a noun and cannot be the object of a verb.

"It's nice to see someone review this album for what it is, and not bash it for what it isn't. Losing Streak was definitely LTJ at their best, but this is really not a bad record. It's unfortunate to see the punk scene have such a negative bias toward pop influenced punk rock, but at the same time it all falls in with the natural progression of things. Someday (and it may not be soon, but it will happen;) all the chaos and noise that dominates the scene right now will grow tiresome, and there will be a pop resurgence simply because that's the cycle in the music industry, and then this record and others like it might finally get the respect they deserve."

Oh please. I (and many others) love/like GOOD punk-pop (be it anything from The Gamnits to Screeching Weasel) and I really liked Anthem. Although it was way more punk-pop oriented than previous works, it was still very good and had some great ska songs. This just SUCKS!

PS: Listen to Architecture in Helsinki or Of Montreal. That's good pop.

this is the fucking dumbest review i have ever read

i haven't even heard the album, and i don't care how it is....but reading that gave me diarrhea

1997 Less Than Jake Reel Big Fish=Kick Ass!
2006 LTJ RBF=CRAP!

let me sum this up...

this album is utter SHAT.........i could care less about the review...flatout this album BLOWS

Did this review honestly say that this could go down as Less Than Jake's "finest" work?

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, May 26, 2006 at 8:11 PM (EDT)
My Score:

"If there’s one thing that a critic cannot stomach, it’s change. In with the Out Crowd was always destined for negative appraisal from certain quarters; such is the mammoth progression in style."

More like mammoth regression. I don't really mind the shift away from ska. It's the mediocrity that gets me.

"Oh, and Anthem and Borders & Boundaries blew too."

I love Borders & Boundaries. This one kinda sucks.

Posted by retistictumblweed on 2006-05-26 19:27:35
My Score:

It's nice to see someone review this album for what it is, and not bash it for what it isn't. Losing Streak was definitely LTJ at their best, but this is really not a bad record. It's unfortunate to see the punk scene have such a negative bias toward pop influenced punk rock, but at the same time it all falls in with the natural progression of things. Someday (and it may not be soon, but it will happen;) all the chaos and noise that dominates the scene right now will grow tiresome, and there will be a pop resurgence simply because that's the cycle in the music industry, and then this record and others like it might finally get the respect they deserve.

One more thing I'd like to say, this album is missing a classic Less Than Jake song with a long-ass title that doesn't make any sense.

Posted by chipsahoycookie on 2006-05-26 18:43:54
My Score:

weird, i sensed that it was written by him too. he's full of shit enough.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, May 26, 2006 at 5:55 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Members of bands should not be allowed to review their own albums.

Fuck you, Vinnie.
Oh, and Anthem and Borders & Boundaries blew too.

Posted by CoD on 2006-05-26 16:35:39
My Score:

Meh, there are good points and bad points. It's not as bad as some people on here says it is, but it's not as good as this review says either. The album could have been much better with all 4 b-sides on it and a revised tracklisting.

Posted by R3venge_Therapy on 2006-05-26 16:06:18
My Score:

Did only half of you people who are bitching about this record listened to the album more than onceto be able to make yourself a good opinion?? i'm having big problems with the direction that many bands take nowadays, but at least, i take the time to listen a new record a couple of time to after say "yes it is really crap" or "oh, my opinion changed, it isn't that bad"
Some of you should think about that ;)


I listened to it 8 or 9 times through (there were songs that I kept having to skip because I couldn't listen), AND i'm a huge Less Than Jake fan. sorry, but this isn't some thing where a band is being criticized just for being on a major, because both Anthem and B-sides were great albums. this is watered-down shit.

randomtable-

While I think it's cool you take this criticism so well, I don't think the majority of people outside of PN are drooling over this. Even Amazon.com has a 3/5 average for this cd, and if you have any working knowledge of average ratings for that site, you know how bad that is.

I dunno. Last time I check 15 years after 1992 is 2007.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, May 26, 2006 at 2:53 PM (EDT)
My Score:

30 listens, crap everytime. some songs i can't even make it rhough at all and have to get up and change the track from across the room. you know, like #11, #3, #4, #7. almost all of which were coincidentally written by old ladies.

Did only half of you people who are bitching about this record listened to the album more than onceto be able to make yourself a good opinion?? i'm having big problems with the direction that many bands take nowadays, but at least, i take the time to listen a new record a couple of time to after say "yes it is really crap" or "oh, my opinion changed, it isn't that bad"
Some of you should think about that ;)

Less Than Jake can certainly not be accused of failing to evolve.

Yeah, maybe there'll be another song about "leaving town."

"It seems that I’ve fallen into the wrong niche with this site – the rest of the world are loving In With the Out Crowd. Perhaps that’s what you don’t like…"

Why is that every time a record, one such as this by a high profile band on a major label, gets bad reviews, the fanboys come out of the woodwork proclaiming the rest of us mindless haters and sheep incapable of judging a record on our merit? Perhaps the criticism stems from the simple fact that we don't connect with the songs in the way you do? Perhaps??

"That said, you are certainly entitled to your opinion and while I don't agree with you on this record, you certainly put together a nicely written review. I hope you choose to contribute others in the future. "

Ditto.

Four stars?

Seriously...what in the hell are you smoking?

This album is garbage.

i just moved tons of cds into my new place yesterday and came across Borders and Boundaries

listened to it on the way to work this morning...i forgot how good that CD was

"it certainly would be a shame to neglect a masterpiece like In with the Out Crowd"

Did I read this correctly? Masterpiece?? Four stars??

Good Lord........should I laugh or cry.

BTW, does anybody share my theory that Bowling For Soup wrote "Overrated?"

"It seems that I’ve fallen into the wrong niche with this site – the rest of the world are loving In With the Out Crowd. Perhaps that’s what you don’t like…"

Or perhaps that's why you like.

random_table: Thanks for responding, I was just trying to figure out if you were real or not. It's hard sometimes to figure out a reviewer's intention when an uber-positive review shows up out of the blue from someone who's never written for the site before.

That said, you are certainly entitled to your opinion and while I don't agree with you on this record, you certainly put together a nicely written review. I hope you choose to contribute others in the future.

Cheers,

Adam

...I’ve been a huge Less Than Jake fan for over a decade now (I also don't like Blink 182).

Well...

I can sleep tonight knowing that.

- Kirby

Does this review go through the entire tracklisting? It always irks me when that happens.

Like others, I find the notion of praising this for progression as laughable. How is it progression to become completely fucking generic?

Less Than Jake make me sad. I should really take that poster down from my wall. Come to think of it, I should probably take down those Buffy ones as well, considering it's been years since I watched the programme. But then... it reminds me of when Sarah Michelle Gellar was way hotter than she is now. So... they can stay.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, May 26, 2006 at 12:46 PM (EDT)
My Score:

W0w! I Luv th1s!!! It's kewl. If y00 don'T l1k3 th1s, moov to aFrica or sumthin. LOL. If y00 are a reel fan, y00 wood support th3m!!!

"A few people desperately need to shake off their obnoxious arrogance and realise that ‘Street Teamers’ and ‘new’ Less Than Jake fans are not the only people that like the new record... It seems that I’ve fallen into the wrong niche with this site – the rest of the world are loving In With the Out Crowd. Perhaps that’s what you don’t like…"

Ok, I'll bite. There's only one mention on the comments about "bandwagon" LTJ fans. One thing you need to understand about PN posters (generalization coming up) is that although they sometimes succomb to the same predjudices that run through the indie scene about bands getting bigger, there seem to be a few bands that are above that. Think about the love many people on this site have for Bad Religion (who were on a major for quite some time), Weezer (at least for two major label albums), AFI, etc. The thing is, LTJ was one of those.

I've loved LTJ for around 10 years since high school and my reasons for not considering this album a masterpiece are because I KNOW they can do better then this. I can't take this is a separate entity, because if it was, I wouldn't even consider purchasing it. The sound they have on the disc is played out, but it's not THEIR sound.

Hey…

I’m the person who wrote the above review (password trouble) and, admittedly, I’m quite surprised at just how vehemently people have protested about the content! Before I say anything else, I would like to address one or two points that have been raised – no, I do not work for Warner Brothers, no, I am not a member of the LTJ Street Team, and as a matter of fact I’ve been a huge Less Than Jake fan for over a decade now (I also don't like Blink 182). I was singing along to Losing Streak when I was still at Primary School. I’m not petty enough to be offended by internet-based banter, but my long-term Less Than Jake adulation isn’t something I usually have to defend!

A few people desperately need to shake off their obnoxious arrogance and realise that ‘Street Teamers’ and ‘new’ Less Than Jake fans are not the only people that like the new record. The beauty (and at the same time, the demon) of reviews is that there is always going to be an element of subjective influence.

I didn’t write the review for a PunkNews audience, I just wrote it, and that is why I chose to include the whistle-stop overview of LTJ’s origins etc.

A quick browse of one or two LTJ forums will confirm that I’m not the only long-standing fan to praise this album. I distanced myself from the past works and saw the album in the intended vein, and through doing so I thought it was worthy of much credit.

And to the person who asked, I’ll gladly answer any question you have about the review.

It seems that I’ve fallen into the wrong niche with this site – the rest of the world are loving In With the Out Crowd. Perhaps that’s what you don’t like…

Less Than Jake can certainly not be accused of failing to evolve.
That's odd, because that's just what many of their critics claim about the band.
Anyhow, this review seems just a bit slanted to me. Maybe Justin was a little harsh (because he felt betrayed) but this review gives, what appears to be, baseless (and endless) praise to an album that just seems poorly written.
-Dante

Now maybe people will stop thinking that the label picked the tracklisting for Anthem. It was just as much the bands decision and as you can see here, they did it again. Way to go Vinnie.

I've never been a big LTJ fan, but I've always held them in enough respect not to bad mouth them.

But this album is painfully fucking generic. Anyone who calls this a massive progression in style probably believes Blink 182 to be this generation's Beatles.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, May 26, 2006 at 11:06 AM (EDT)
My Score:

this all makes me want to blow my brains out

Paul

ltj is one of my 5 fav bands ever. i never thought they'd release something this middle of the road...with 3 songs ghostwritten no less.

still life franchise and rest of my life are the only high points on the album. independence day is good too, although its a pop punk song w/ no horns.

I mean roger and rehasher.

Posted by socrates on 2006-05-26 10:41:13
My Score:

hope roger releases something with some balls soon. this album is bland poppunk consisting of choruses. These dudes always used to have a great drive behind them, but this is so weak it makes anthem look brilliant.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, May 26, 2006 at 9:33 AM (EDT)
My Score:

This review reeks of bullshit. This record is the definition of mediocre, something that LTJ have never been. "The Rest of My Life" sounds like a horrible gimmick ballad song, "Overrated" is the best song Mest never wrote (still fucking sucks) and didn't they write a song that's the exact opposite of "Let Her Go"? Yeah, they did, it's called "Great American Sharpshooter" and in addition to being 100 times better and catchier, it's also on the best album this band made.

My review for this stupid disc should be up today sometime on scenepointblank.com, so if anyone's interested in reading an honest review from a real LTJ fan and not someone that appears to be a street team member, go right ahead.

A few quick comments:

Calling 'Landmines and Landslides' a 'masterpiece' is really difficult for me to swallow. I personally think it is the worst song they have ever recorded - worse than Overrated and She's Gonna Break (yes, -that- bad).

I also think that praising this record for progression is a big mistake. Songs like 'Rest of my Life' and 'Hopeless Case' while a huge departure for LTJ are actually interesting songs. If this album was a clear, cohesive step in that direction even though LTJ fans would be pissed, I could understand praise for progression. What we have instead are these two songs that actually go in a new direction mixed in with a bunch of bland pop punk and some not as good as the old days ska.

I stand in the midde of both reviews (a bit closer to the negative one). As a dedicated long time fan, this album is very frustrating to listen to. Not because it is different - because as an album it fails.

Bri

While I think that some of the things presented as "fact" in this review are flat out wrong, I am glad, as Aubin said, that someone finally submitted a competing review instead of just complaining. And it's pretty darn well written, too.

I'm calling "pant!" or "street team!" on this one.

I mean... "Effusive, cathartic, influential -- brilliant" that's pretty huge praise for a record that even most fans I've spoken with are at the LEAST torn on. This really reads like a press release.

Reviewer, you around to take questions?

-adam

Posted by kirbypuckett on 2006-05-26 07:44:15
My Score:

This sounds like a stree teamer who jumped on the bandwagon sometime during Anthem.

The bottom line is that this album is horrible and aside from their live setting, this band is dead to me.

- Kirby

Leap in creative direction my ass. Most Wanted absolutely blows this stuff out of the water.

Posted by pasha on 2006-05-26 06:41:21
My Score:

total bull. Anthem is brilliant compared to this.

i agree with this score more than the other, but both make a lot of valid points.

in the end, i just like this shit, it's fun and catchy and i don't realy give a shit how 'lame' it is.

Posted by someone-yeah on 2006-05-26 05:19:09
My Score:

Honestly this sounds like something my mom would listen to.

Theres a few good songs on here but i'm not quite sure about this band anymore =/

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, May 26, 2006 at 4:42 AM (EDT)
My Score:

"with the Out Crowd was always destined for negative appraisal from certain quarters; such is the mammoth progression in style"

MAMMOTH PROGRESSION IN STYLE????

Mammoth, so big, leaps of progression, like its practically prog rock right?

This shit makes Dillinger escape plan and mars volta seem tame....right?

These are boring pop numbers that progress chronologically through time, so yeah, there's progression.

wyzo

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, May 26, 2006 at 3:54 AM (EDT)
My Score:

Good review. Nice to see a counter review to that scathing review put up the other day!! I wish they posted two reviews for every album.

How useless would you feel if you were JR or Buddy?

You are getting cut down more and more.

They edit out your parts of songs to get played on radio and tv (She's Gonna Break Soon).

And now you've pretty much been reduced to additional musicians.

Fuck that. Fuck Warner. Fuck Less Than Jake.

Even though they sound bland and forced recorded, many of these songs seem like they could be pretty fun live.

I can understand wanting to reach a wider audience, but until I see a video in constant Mtv circulation, or a Clear-Channel playlist staple, it all seems pointless.

I'm glad this review was submitted; whenever someone complains about a bad review, we ask them to submit a contrasting review and it doesn't happen all that much. At least this person had the wherewithall to back up his complains about Justin's review.

jesus this really does sound like it was written by someone at the label, complete with the rags to riches mini history of the band to "they'll prove those critics wrong!" to uh, the word "envisage." and this "masterpiece" could go down as the finest record ever by ltj?? even the biggest ltj fanboy wouldn't admit to that.

Posted by ltjmax on 2006-05-26 01:11:25
My Score:

They had co-writers for 4 of the 12 songs.... so they did write ALONE the majort part of the records and the 4 songs, they did write them, but just with the help of co-writers..... it's not like if it was the only band to do that, many other bands do it, you just don't know

Just because it's the biggest departure from the past does not make it the most creative. There are certain "new" elements that I like: the keyboards in a handful of songs and the bells in Mostly Memories, but these are far overshadowed by what was left out. Ska or pop punk, LTJ has always been best when they were passionate about it, and this album is severely lacking in sincerity.

Posted by chipsahoycookie on 2006-05-26 01:06:17
My Score:

they didnt even write 1/3 of this shit anyway.

Posted by chipsahoycookie on 2006-05-26 01:05:49
My Score:

fuck you and your shitty review

My review falls somewhere between the other review and this review.

Decent review, though I don't fully agree with it.

do u work for sire?

Posted by kingofpain on 2006-05-26 00:23:11
My Score:

I thought the other review was better.