Cost: $Don't Recall
Track Count: 14
Well...it seems like I have finally gotten around to have written a review of a stellar album from my favorite band, and fellow Floridians, Less Than Jake. I honestly feel like complete butthole because it has taken me so long. I mean, I'm the guy who has seen LTJ live over a dozen times, has collectible vinyl, has an autographed band pic framed in my computer room, etc... So, this is unacceptable.
So, here it is fellas. Anthem, by Less Than Jake.
I always tell people that they won't really get Less Than Jake until they see the band live. But, Anthem kind of blew my theory out of the water. LTJ are a great live band...and I mean towards the top of the best I've ever seen. So, to match that would take an epic record. Anthem is their epic record.
The band has hopped labels a few times and this was during one of those periods where the Less Than Jake camp had found themselves on a major label (Warner Bros.). Which means major label money for major label recording and a seriously slick and well polished album. By far, the best record the band had put out at that point. They definitely were not on a Fat Wreck Chords budget with this album.
During this time, I had gotten married and had moved from central Florida to New Orleans, LA. It was a culture shock for me. I had never been to NOLA, never experienced that sort of "city life" or witnessed that sort of poverty and violence right out in the open. New Orleans, friends, can be very unforgiving and a little fucked if you are not prepared. It took me a while to really latch on to the city and now I love it...but, back then? Fuck.
So, I would drive the streets of New Orleans (home to Cash Money and Lil Wayne himself) blasting the greatest Less Than Jake album I have ever heard (at the time) over and over and over again. It made me feel like I was back home in Florida and helped me feel sane.
That's my history with Anthem.
Here's the track list and the notes:
1. Welcome to the New South: The album kicks right in with a fast mover. Not a standout on the album but overall a good song. The chorus is kind of a downer...but, it was exactly how I had felt at that time in SouthEast Louisiana. "Wishing that everything would end. Yeah, I know how it feels to be the lonliest...". Welcome home, outcast, everything will be all right!
2. The Ghosts of You and Me: This is a great song. Sung mostly by bassist Roger, which I am a big fan of.
3. Look What Happened (Last Time): LTJ did Look What Happened on Borders and Boundaries. They did it again on Anthem. It sounds slicker, and BIGGER, on this album. But, essentially it is the same song. I guess a little familiarity never hurt anyone.
4. The Science of Selling Yourself Short: At this point in their career, the band was apparently going the route of Fall Out Boy and naming songs with superlong names. But, TSSYS fucking grooves, dude. It's got...stroll...if you will. I could (and probably have) listen to this track over and over again. I'll sing along...I'm the king of catastrophes.
5. Short Fuse Burning: Fucking rocks. Chris is not the best, most technical guitar player around. But, he does a really nice job on this song. He's still not technical but he's pretty quick! Lyrics are well crafted on this one, too.
6. Motown Never Sounded So Good: The title is true. This track definitely has a groove...but...it kicks into a rocking tune during the chorus. So, LTJ took the slow/fast/slow dynamic to mean groove/rock/groove...whatever, it works. Highly recommend this one.
7. The Upwards War and the Down Turned Cycle: This is a rocker. Other than that...it's just another good song.
8. Escape From the A-Bomb House: Vinne did a fine job on the lyrics for this song; they must've hit seriously close to home.
9. Best Wishes to Your Black Lung: Anthem was JR's (saxophone) first album with the band. He was with the fantastic CT band Spring Heeled Jack USA before joining Less Than Jake. JR has pedigree, yo! This song is kind of a farewell to the band's previous sax player who moved back to Chicago. Kind of super-sarcastic...I love it. The horns are, predictably, fantastic on this song.
10. She's Gonna Break Soon: A very simplistic song. I guess the biggest note about this tune is that the video starred Alexis Bledl, the chick from Gilmore Girls, going apeshit crazy. It's really not the best of songs...still ok though. I can see how an army of adolescent girls would've been drawn in by this one.
11. That's Why They Call it a Union: I think the drumming on this song is some of Vinnie's best. I don't know why...it just sounds so on point. But, the lyrics (about divorce) are really a downer.
12. Plastic Cup Politics: My favorite track on the album. Reminds me of college and keg parties and all the assholes that you come in contact with. I believe that if I went to school at Florida instead of South Florida that myself and the guys from LTJ would've really hit if off. But, this song, sung by Roger, just makes me smile. "Mr. Loudmouth has had his 40oz and has passed out".
13. The Brightest Bulb Has Burnt Out (Screws Fall Out): Kind of a two-parter. Brightest Bulb is Chris and his guitar playing some pretty song that has some pretty lines and nice soft guitar playing. The lyrics are good and uplifting. Then Screws kicks you right in the nuts. Less Than Jake always has known that sometimes people just need an extremely loud and uptempo release...Screws Fall Out is THAT song.
14. Surrender: The Cheap Trick remake. Done well. I was just never a big fan of this song no matter who sung it.
There ya go. Anthem. A great album from 2003 that one could likely find in the bargain bin or on sale. But if you find it, buy it. If you do and are disappointed let me know and I will re-reimburse you...I promise.
Oh shit. I wrote this thing without mentioning Buddy. I hit everyone else but not him! Buddy plays trombone and is rad. He also played in another band that I loved called Coffee Project. He also enjoys long walks on the beach, heartfelt late night talks, and stuffed panda bears!
Cheers!
Track Count: 14
Well...it seems like I have finally gotten around to have written a review of a stellar album from my favorite band, and fellow Floridians, Less Than Jake. I honestly feel like complete butthole because it has taken me so long. I mean, I'm the guy who has seen LTJ live over a dozen times, has collectible vinyl, has an autographed band pic framed in my computer room, etc... So, this is unacceptable.
So, here it is fellas. Anthem, by Less Than Jake.
I always tell people that they won't really get Less Than Jake until they see the band live. But, Anthem kind of blew my theory out of the water. LTJ are a great live band...and I mean towards the top of the best I've ever seen. So, to match that would take an epic record. Anthem is their epic record.
The band has hopped labels a few times and this was during one of those periods where the Less Than Jake camp had found themselves on a major label (Warner Bros.). Which means major label money for major label recording and a seriously slick and well polished album. By far, the best record the band had put out at that point. They definitely were not on a Fat Wreck Chords budget with this album.
During this time, I had gotten married and had moved from central Florida to New Orleans, LA. It was a culture shock for me. I had never been to NOLA, never experienced that sort of "city life" or witnessed that sort of poverty and violence right out in the open. New Orleans, friends, can be very unforgiving and a little fucked if you are not prepared. It took me a while to really latch on to the city and now I love it...but, back then? Fuck.
So, I would drive the streets of New Orleans (home to Cash Money and Lil Wayne himself) blasting the greatest Less Than Jake album I have ever heard (at the time) over and over and over again. It made me feel like I was back home in Florida and helped me feel sane.
That's my history with Anthem.
Here's the track list and the notes:
1. Welcome to the New South: The album kicks right in with a fast mover. Not a standout on the album but overall a good song. The chorus is kind of a downer...but, it was exactly how I had felt at that time in SouthEast Louisiana. "Wishing that everything would end. Yeah, I know how it feels to be the lonliest...". Welcome home, outcast, everything will be all right!
2. The Ghosts of You and Me: This is a great song. Sung mostly by bassist Roger, which I am a big fan of.
3. Look What Happened (Last Time): LTJ did Look What Happened on Borders and Boundaries. They did it again on Anthem. It sounds slicker, and BIGGER, on this album. But, essentially it is the same song. I guess a little familiarity never hurt anyone.
4. The Science of Selling Yourself Short: At this point in their career, the band was apparently going the route of Fall Out Boy and naming songs with superlong names. But, TSSYS fucking grooves, dude. It's got...stroll...if you will. I could (and probably have) listen to this track over and over again. I'll sing along...I'm the king of catastrophes.
5. Short Fuse Burning: Fucking rocks. Chris is not the best, most technical guitar player around. But, he does a really nice job on this song. He's still not technical but he's pretty quick! Lyrics are well crafted on this one, too.
6. Motown Never Sounded So Good: The title is true. This track definitely has a groove...but...it kicks into a rocking tune during the chorus. So, LTJ took the slow/fast/slow dynamic to mean groove/rock/groove...whatever, it works. Highly recommend this one.
7. The Upwards War and the Down Turned Cycle: This is a rocker. Other than that...it's just another good song.8. Escape From the A-Bomb House: Vinne did a fine job on the lyrics for this song; they must've hit seriously close to home.
9. Best Wishes to Your Black Lung: Anthem was JR's (saxophone) first album with the band. He was with the fantastic CT band Spring Heeled Jack USA before joining Less Than Jake. JR has pedigree, yo! This song is kind of a farewell to the band's previous sax player who moved back to Chicago. Kind of super-sarcastic...I love it. The horns are, predictably, fantastic on this song.
10. She's Gonna Break Soon: A very simplistic song. I guess the biggest note about this tune is that the video starred Alexis Bledl, the chick from Gilmore Girls, going apeshit crazy. It's really not the best of songs...still ok though. I can see how an army of adolescent girls would've been drawn in by this one.
11. That's Why They Call it a Union: I think the drumming on this song is some of Vinnie's best. I don't know why...it just sounds so on point. But, the lyrics (about divorce) are really a downer.
12. Plastic Cup Politics: My favorite track on the album. Reminds me of college and keg parties and all the assholes that you come in contact with. I believe that if I went to school at Florida instead of South Florida that myself and the guys from LTJ would've really hit if off. But, this song, sung by Roger, just makes me smile. "Mr. Loudmouth has had his 40oz and has passed out".
13. The Brightest Bulb Has Burnt Out (Screws Fall Out): Kind of a two-parter. Brightest Bulb is Chris and his guitar playing some pretty song that has some pretty lines and nice soft guitar playing. The lyrics are good and uplifting. Then Screws kicks you right in the nuts. Less Than Jake always has known that sometimes people just need an extremely loud and uptempo release...Screws Fall Out is THAT song.
14. Surrender: The Cheap Trick remake. Done well. I was just never a big fan of this song no matter who sung it.
There ya go. Anthem. A great album from 2003 that one could likely find in the bargain bin or on sale. But if you find it, buy it. If you do and are disappointed let me know and I will re-reimburse you...I promise.
Oh shit. I wrote this thing without mentioning Buddy. I hit everyone else but not him! Buddy plays trombone and is rad. He also played in another band that I loved called Coffee Project. He also enjoys long walks on the beach, heartfelt late night talks, and stuffed panda bears!
Cheers!
