LESS THAN JAKE are celebrating their Twenty Fifth anniversary this year… and that’s one hell of an achievement – By Guy Shankland. The bands longevity (in the same way as Reel Big Fish) and continued popularity is in no small part down to their constant touring of the world which keeps the LTJ name fresh in the minds of fans new and old. The ‘Sound The Alarm’ E.P follows the well trodden Ska-Punk path with few deviations or surprises which is both reassuringly familiar and disappointing in equal measures. The album kicks off with the short sharp circle pit inducing ’Call To Arms’ which is the perfect E.P entrée. Once again the lead vocals are shared between original members, guitarist Chris DeMakes and bassist Roger Lima. ‘Whatever The Weather’ is a slower paced Ska laced anthem which dips and rises to a climatic chorus. A frantic Horn and bass opening on ‘Bomb Drop’ soon morphs into your standard Ska-Punk sound that could be one of a dozen bands. ‘Years Of Living Dangerously’, the high tempo ‘Things Change’ and ‘Welcome To My Life’ are all enjoyable and rousing Ska-Punk fodder. After quarter of a century Less Than Jake are now entering anniversary tour,elder statesman territory. The Ska-Punk sound is still undeniably fresh and LTJ do it better than most.