| B Is for B-Sides | 
 enlarge | Artist: Less Than Jake
Label: Sire / London/Rhino
Category: Music
List Price: $13.98
Buy Used: $0.38
You Save: $13.60 (97%)
New (15) Used (23) from $0.38
Avg. Customer Rating:  34 reviews
Sales Rank: 143747
Format: Explicit Lyrics
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 48788
UPC: 093624878827
EAN: 0093624878827
ASIN: B0002IQC6G
Release Date: July 20, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: plain case, public library discard, guaranteed to play to your satisfaction or your keep the CD and your money.
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| Tracks:
| • | Portrait Of A Cigarette Smoker At 19 | | • | Sleep It Off | | • | Last Rites To Sleepless Nights | | • | Bridge And Tunnel Authority | | • | Goodbye In Gasoline | | • | A.S.A.O.K. | | • | Jay Frenzal | | • | Showbiz? Science? Who Cares? | | • | Sobriety Is A Serious Business And Business Aint So Good | | • | Nine-One-One To Anyone | | • | Robots One, Humans Zero | | • | National Anthem |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Album Description
With Less Than Jake on one of the summer's major tours, Projekt Revolution 2004, the pop/punk heroes have collected a disc of tracks recorded for 2003's Anthem - the highest-charting album in the band's career - but never released domestically. In fact, nearly all of the tracks on B Is For B Side have never been released anywhere. After selling more than 1 million records over the past decade and with live shows that continue to expand a hardcore global fan base, Less Than Jake earns an A for B Is For B Sides.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 29 more reviews...
Better than the reviews indicate. August 8, 2004
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
Like another reviewer of this CD, I have never written an Amazon review, but felt compelled to since, frankly, there are too many negative reviews for what is, in my opinion, a quality album.
First of all, YES, this CD is like Anthem in that it shys away from the horn-driven ska sound that LTJ popularized in years past. Yes, they're still there and yes, they sound great, but they aren't featured on as many songs or as often. So if the only reason you ever listened to Less Than Jake was to hear horns, this or Anthem will not appeal to you.
However, those who simply seek good music could do much worse than B Is For B-Sides. The songs are all well-written, and I'm sure most listeners can relate to at least some of the things the boys from Gainsville sing about. On that note, it's worth saying that on this album, Roger sings quite a few of the songs, which provides what is in my opinion a varied sound. LTJ's horn section, as always, is tight and sounds great, but even I would like to see them featured more on future releases.
Like all albums, though, B Is for B-Sides is not without its flaws, however small. First and foremost, it's too damn short. It clocks in at a few minutes short of a half an hour, and for such a quality album, the ride ends too soon. Also, I know it's been said a hundred times before, but I really wish LTJ would put more emphasis on the horns. JR and Buddy are really talented players and I think they deserve to be featured more on the albums.
To be short, if you liked the direction Anthem went in, you'll love B Is for B-Sides. If you like LTJ only for the ska element, be wary. Those who find themselves in the middle should definatley give this one a try.
PS: Anyone who says Less Than Jake "isn't ska" anymore should go see them live. Any such thoughts will probably be extinguished upon doing so.
 VORTEX LIZARD "Scott Baldwin" doesn't know anything January 6, 2005
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
This dumb@$$ is trying to say how bad of a band Less Than Jake is. How are you justified to bash Less Than Jake when you don't even know why the band is called "Less Than Jake"? Stupid idiot. Less Than Jake remains, to me, the most fun band to see live. I have seen all kinds of bands like Godsmack, Staind, Linkin Park, 311(who also kicks @$$), and even Dave Matthews Band. Granted these are all good acts but Less Than Jake brings energy to the stage that can not be comparred to any other act. VORTEX LIZARD, you don't know anything about ska so leave the reviews to the real music fans. Oh, by the way, "Less Than Jake" refers to a dog named Jake that was seen as more important in the eyes of the mother of one of the band members. Therefore, he is less important than jake the dog, and the name "Less Than Jake" is created.
Any CD that this band puts out is worth owning. If you like punk or ska at all, you have to own their music. I loved seeing them at Warped Tour and I want to see them every time they come to town.
Quite simply "The best album of 1985" July 20, 2004
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Their earlier work was bit too commercial, passe for my tastes.
This album strikes a chord, a cord, and a nerve and back.
This is much more satisfying on a deeper level.
Chris, Vinny, Rog, JR, Buddy have outdone themselves.
Most bands get worse and uninspired as they age.
LTJ gets more and more awesome each day/year.
It'll be a sad day for music/art when they go their separate ways.
See a show. They bring the most energy and upstage anyone hey play with. They embrace some of the cornier elements of rock and showmanship. Sometimes seriously, sometimes satirically. Always awesome. Live LTJ is a religious experience.
All the tracks rule. Stick this in you cd player/cassette/8-track/vinyl player and smash in the repeat button. It's better than good. It's Less Than something.
Good CD... July 26, 2004
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Take it from a long-time LTJ fan... this 27-minute-long album is worth the hefty price tag. Matter of fact, this disc's only problem is its length. B is for B-Sides is like a musical extension of Anthem, though slightly darker lyrically. The band is like a fine wine (or cheddar cheese!), maturing with time, progressively getting better. B-Sides is a must-have, no matter what anybody else will tell you in their entirely credible, thoroughly extensive and mind-bendingly thoughtful review. ;)
Better than Anthem July 27, 2004
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I've never written a review on Amazon before, but I feel like with an average of only three stars right now, this album just isn't getting enough love.
There's some great stuff here. Portrait Of A Cigarette Smoker At 19 has an insanely catchy chorus and starts things off well. Sleep it Off is great as well, and features that great, plucky ska guitar sound that's been lacking in a lot of LTJ songs since Borders and Boundaries. Bridge And Tunnel Authority is another song that'll easily get stuck in your head, and A.S.A.O.K. is really upbeat and has a good horn riff. Jay Frenzal is a lot of fun, and serves as your obligatory LTJ song about one of their crazy friends (think How's My Driving, Doug Hastings? and Mr. Chevy Celebrity) that was missing from Anthem. Nine-One-One to Anyone is another standout song with that great ska guitar, and Robots One, Humans Zero has some really great songwriting.
If you were a little disappointed with Anthem like I was, you might just like B Is for B-Sides. The songs seem more fun and upbeat, and though this isn't a complete return to LTJ's old ska sound, the horns and ska guitar do seem to be more common here than in Anthem.
It's no Losing Streak, but B Is for B-Sides definitely feels closer to the old Less Than Jake we all know and love than Anthem did.
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