[English below]
Tal vez (musicalmente hablando, por supuesto) 2020 no haya sido un año tan malo. Es verdad que se han cancelado giras, que nos hemos perdido todos los festivales a los que teníamos programado ir, que la industria musical ha perdido dinero, en especial los grupos de estilos menos mainstream, que son los que más necesitan esa ayuda. Pero también es cierto que, gracias a (o a pesar de) la pandemia, muchas bandas se han puesto a componer, y han lanzado nuevos discos o EPs este año. Lo cual es de agradecer, tanto para ellos, como para el público en general. Porque no hay cosa que anime más en estos turbulentos tiempos que poder escuchar tu música favorita.
A mí, en este caso, me ha venido de perlas (más o menos) porque aquí tengo el nuevo disco de Less Than Jake, un grupo que siempre me ha encantado. Los de Florida, activos desde 1992 (nos hacemos mayores) han aprovechado para editar su nuevo álbum, “Silver Linings”. Y yo soy feliz. Con qué poquito nos conformamos.
Nuestros veteranos favoritos del ska punk han creado un disco totalmente fiel a su estilo, en el que se nota que siguen en la brecha y que, como banda, siguen siendo una de las mejores del género. Tras tantos años, con 8 álbumes de estudio e innumerables giras, nos demuestran con este “Silver Linings” que siguen siendo ellos mismos, esos chavales que empezaron con todas las ganas del mundo a hacer lo que más felices les hacía.
Es este un disco en el que es bastante complicado elegir una canción favorita, ya que desde el principio engancha y anima, desde la maravillosa “The high cost of living” con la que abre el álbum y durante los 12 temas que lo componen, hasta “So much less”, en los que nos demuestran que no han perdido un ápice de su espontaneidad y creatividad.
Temas como “Lie to me” o “Keep on chasing” nos recuerdan por qué comenzamos a escucharles. “Anytime or anywhere” o “Monkey Wrench myself”, con su siempre presente sección de viento, o temas noventeros como “Dear me”, o incluso “Lost at home”, uno de esos temas que escucharías al sol junto a la playa, hacen de este disco una auténtica delicia para los oídos. ¿Y qué me decís de “Move”? Una maravilla. Y sin olvidar la divertidísima “Bill”.
Un puñado de temas alegres, positivos y animados, que irradian buen rollo y optimismo (algo difícil en estos momentos, pero que no se debe perder), para olvidar los problemas y recordar que, dentro de poco podremos volver a disfrutar esa música en directo que todos estamos deseando. Y ya por cierto, contaros que la gira de este año ha quedado pospuesta para 2021, y los tendremos en nuestro país (aún recuerdo lo bien que me lo pasé cuando los vi en el Punk in Drublic de 2018). No sé vosotros pero yo, al menos, no pienso perdérmelo (Bilbao, ¡espérame!).
Texto: Mamen Rodríguez
English:
Perhaps (musically speaking, of course) 2020 has not been such a bad year. It is true that tours have been canceled, that we have missed all the festivals we had planned to go to, that the music industry has lost money, especially the less mainstream style bands, which are the ones that need this help the most. But it is also true that, thanks (or despite) the pandemic, many bands have started composing, and have released new albums or EPs this year. Which is appreciated, both for them and for the general public. Because there is nothing that encourages more in these turbulent times than being able to listen to your favorite music.
In this case it has been good for me (more or less) because here I have the new Less Than Jake album, a band that I have always loved. Those from Florida, active since 1992 (we are getting old) have taken the opportunity to launch their new album, “Silver Linings”. And I’m happy. With what little we settle.
Our favorite ska punk veterans have created an album totally true to their style, in which it shows that they are still in the gap and that, as a band, they are still one of the best in the genre. After so many years, with 8 studio albums and countless tours, they show us with this “Silver Linings” that they are still themselves, those guys who started out with all the desire in the world to do what made them happiest.
This is an album in which it is quite difficult to choose a favorite song, since from the beginning it hooks and encourages, from the wonderful “The high cost of living” with which he opens the album and during the 12 songs that make it up, to “So Much Less”, in which they show us that they have not lost an iota of their spontaneity and creativity.
Tracks like “Lie to me” or “Keep on chasing” remind us why we started listening to them. “Anytime or anywhere” or “Monkey Wrench yourself”, with its always present wind section, or songs from the 90s like “Dear me”, or even “Lost at home”, one of those songs that you would listen to in the sun next to the beach, make this album a real treat for the ears. And what about “Move”? A marvel. And without forgetting the hilarious “Bill”.
A handful of upbeat, positive, and upbeat themes that exude good vibes and optimism (a tough one right now, but not to be missed), to forget the problems and remember that soon we will be able to enjoy that live music that we are all longing for again. And by the way, I must tell you that this year’s tour has been postponed to 2021, and we will have them in our country (I still remember how much fun I had when I saw them at Punk in Drublic in 2018). I don’t know about you, but at least I am not going to miss it (Bilbao, wait for me!).
Text: Mamen Rodríguez