This album came out two decades ago. Here’s what I had to say about it back then (with some minor editing):
After leaving the comfy confines of major label-land and returning to the indie world, Less Than Jake have something to prove. Or at least they play like they do on the high-energy Borders & Boundaries, their seventh release.
Turning down the frat-boy highjinks of their previous releases, the Gainesville, Fla., band take a more focused approach on these 15 tracks, fastening ridiculously catchy hooks on to smartly crafted popcore and ska-punk numbers that manage to rejuvenate both those tired genres. At other times, especially on the confessional Last Hour of the Last Day of Work, the band come within a hair of replicating the working-class post-grunge power and passion of Everclear. Plus you’ve just gotta love any group that can write a song called Hell Looks a Lot Like L.A. — and still land the opening slot on the last Bon Jovi tour. Whatever Less Than Jake set out prove, it’s hard not to think they pulled it off.
