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This impressive double A-side from Less Than Jake is taken from the band's latest album, In With The Out Crowd, the LP shows off two sides of the band - the typically ska-punk sound, and the emotional side of a band that is stunningly established lyrically.
Less Than Jake could easily be thrown into the pop/punk genre that so many bands find themselves confined to today. They're far from it though. Having gained most of their fan base through touring, Less Than Jake are one of few bands able to claim their success has not been established by use of five-minute mainstream hype.
The first track on this double A-side, titled The Rest of My Life, is a cheerful, sad song. It grabs you from the excellent opening riff and keeps you enthralled throughout; boasting strong verses that get the point across successfully and basic but effective drums only add to the strength of this track.
The song is lyrically sound, in a way you probably wouldn't expect from a ska-punk band - though when you consider the band's development over the past decade, it's perfectly understandable. There's depth and emotion here.
The second track, Don't Fall Asleep On The Subway, is the lesser of the two, in my opinion. Though it boasts those stylistic qualities that remain true of Less Than Jake, it's edging dangerously close to that dreaded conventional pop/punk category. It's rockier than the first track, yet a lot less complex lyrically. Where The Rest Of My Life boasts great verses, Don't Fall Asleep On The Subway is much firmer in its chorus.
Both tracks possess the characteristic catchiness of Less Than Jake's sound, and this double A-side certainly shows what the band has to offer. Far more likeable than you might think.
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