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Fishbone

Give A Monkey A Brain And He'll Swear He's The Center Of The Universe
1993
Columbia

Fishbone - Give A Monkey A Brain And He'll Swear He's The Center Of The Universe (Cover Artwork)

Review by: Jon_the_Skafather
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Published on February 8th 2005

I must say the reason why this album is my favorite is the same reason why many might not like it: it's very polarized. The funk songs are just funk and not mixed with ska and punk and rock. The rock songs are just rock. The polarization of the album almost serves as a manifestation of the problems in the band at the time (shortly after the album was released, original members and key songwriters guitarist Kendall Jones and keyboardist/vocalist Chris Dowd left the band).

If you're someone who likes just one type of music, chances are you'll like at least a song or two but not the whole album. If you're a fan of all forms of music, this album will serve as a great introduction to the band without having to sort through the cheesy 80's-styled production that their previous albums suffered from.

The album's first track, "Swim," can either be the song that brings you in or makes you dismiss the album without even listening to the rest of the album. I say this because while the song is very energetic and does a great job of showing Fishbone's heavier influences, the repetitive chorus of "I like to swim" may be too repetitious for many.

Key tracks on the album are "Servitude," "Black Flowers," "Unyielding Conditioning," "Warmth Of Your Breath," "Drunk Skitzo," and "No Fear." This album is a key point in the band because not only was the band at the top of their game lyrically and musically but it also shows the end of an era with Fishbone and shows the splintering of the band.

I would recommend everyone check out this album but be warned that it's for those who realize that variety is the spice of life.

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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 11, 2005 at 2:05 AM (EST)

One of my all time favorite albums. An absolute masterpiece from start to finish. Unyeilding Conditioning has got to be one of the best songs ever written.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 11, 2005 at 9:55 AM (EST)
My Score:

start with truth and soul and work your way up.

Posted by IheartAdam on 2005-02-10 19:32:09
My Score:

There is no "bad" album. Pick any of them up and I guarentee you'll be blown away.

If I had a gun to my head and forced to pick it would be "In Your Face"

Posted by Not-To-Regret on 2005-02-10 18:40:20
My Score:

I'm ska fan, but I lack knowledge of many key bands in the genre. What is the best fishbone album to start with? or the best fishbone album in general?

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, February 10, 2005 at 4:24 PM (EST)
My Score:

What does Mos Def say... "Don't mean to diss, but I can't rock to Limp Bizkit/When I get down alone/It's to Bad Brains or Fishbone"?

-BSD

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 at 10:03 PM (EST)
My Score:

if you have never seen this band live you have never been to a real show. period. i've been working in promoting for about 5 years and hundreds of shows later, the best show i have ever seen is still fishbone in 97. just fucking unreal.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 at 8:46 PM (EST)
My Score:

One of the BEST titles for an album... FUCKIN' EVER!

Posted by IheartAdam on 2005-02-08 20:28:02
My Score:

Drunk Skitzo is the only garbage song on here. Fishbone will always be light years ahead of anything else reviewed on here.

Too bad none of these Clash fanbois have any musical taste or they would have heard of this album a decade ago.

Too too bad that Jonnie hates me because I defend Micheal Jackson.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 at 7:37 PM (EST)
My Score:

This review sure could use a bit more meat, Jon.

C'mon. You can do better, son.

Posted by notfeelingcreative on 2005-02-08 16:10:56
My Score:

Seeing this band at lollapalooza '93 was the single moment that got me out of the alterna-grunge phase!

Posted by Mr_Pink on 2005-02-08 14:25:38
My Score:

Definitely not their best album but bad Fishbone is still a lot better than most.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 at 1:43 PM (EST)
My Score:

Great album...nowhere near their best tho.
This band is amazing.

Posted by sickboi on 2005-02-08 11:43:02
My Score:

Despite its overplay-age, "Party at Ground Zero" is a jam and a 1/2.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 at 11:32 AM (EST)
My Score:

One of the greatest ska bands of all time.

Joe

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 at 10:35 AM (EST)
My Score:

great band, great album. sick live show.

Posted by joeg on 2005-02-08 01:42:43
My Score:

great band. big ups for the fishbone review.

Posted by stevejonestherealbones on 2005-02-08 01:14:30
My Score:

fuck you you fuckin hippies.

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

Posted by johnnydanger on 2005-02-08 00:08:27
My Score:

he'll swear he what?

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