Less Than Jake - P.S. Shock The World

Mercifully reliving their ska influenced early days, rather than pop punk with horns, Less Than Jake return with new single, P.S. Shock The World. For the first second or two it all sounds hopeful,; teasingly recalling the days back back when they were good. You know, when they released 'Pezcore', 'Losing Streak' or 'Hello Rockview'. It's all beat-ska guitar and trombones. Then the chorus comes along. The chorus, protruding from the middle of the track like some hideous flesh wound. It could belong to a Busted song. Actually, it's worse. It's weak, repetitive and just plain bad. Oh yeah, and the track goes on for four minutes, at least two of which are there to maximise airtime and nothing else. As it closes through ninety seconds of three words repeated at least fifty times, it becomes apparent that P.S. Shock The World is, indeed, just plain shocking. [Neil Ferguson]