Adam KeysLess Than Jake – Sound The Alarm (Pure Noise Records)
Genre – Punk
Influential Gainesville punks, Less Than Jake, mark their 25th anniversary this year, and have celebrated with a freshly inked deal with Pure Noise Records.
A new deal means new music. This time round, it’s a seven track EP that sees their ska infused punk filled with memorable hooks and choruses.
Recorded at one of punk rocks most famous studios – The Blasting Room – and produced by bassist Roger Lima, Sound The Alarm sees LTJ tackle deep down stress and depression, in a honest record mixed with a diverse mix of eclectic sounds.
Whatever The Weather is very much a continuation of the sounds heard on their last full length See The Light. It paints a picture of the modern day Less Than Jake and it is a representation of the calm after the chaos that has been their life for the last twenty years.
Recently Chris DeMakes said the band finally felt at home with Pure Noise Records after years a major label hopping. This can be felt in their music. Vocally, DeMakes sounds as good as he’s ever sounded, the band is tight and the songs are lyrically strong.
Although this is the ‘modern day’ LTJ, it doesn’t differ too much from their back catalogue. Call To Arms opens with a thick, dirty bass that mixes superbly with the sax / trombone input that has made them true veterans of the punk ska genre.
Welcome To My Life is punchy, clichéd and instantly recognisable as a punk number. Fans will enjoy the easy listening vibe coupled with the bouncy ska sounds, that marry with pitch perfect DeMakes throughout.
Sound The Alarm is unlikely to blow you away. But, that’s not to say it’s bad. It’s a good release that fans will enjoy. A nice mini helping between major releases, something Less Than Jake is very good at doing!
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